Page 105 of Play Fast (Brooklyn Dawn 2)

All those pesky emotions.

Oz didn’t deal with them. I wish I could be the same. I wish I could turn all this off. Because it was so damn heavy. Like there was a sleeper sofa sitting on my chest all the freaking time.

I knew firsthand how heavy those bitches were. I’d just helped Ever bring one to the curb for the freebie vultures. After I’d crashed on it and filled the ugly green cushions with tears.

Those had been the last tears I would shed for him.

I didn’t think I had any left anyway.

“Earth to Daisy.”

“Huh?” I met Teagan’s huge blue eyes in the mirror.

“I’ve been talking to you for five minutes. Did you hear a thing I said?”

I sighed. “No, sorry. I was concentrating.”

“No.” She grabbed my hand and pulled me around in front of her.

“I’m not done—”

“It’s tight enough you can go back.”

I shoved the rat tail comb into my jar of Barbiside before she could drag me back in front of her again. “Did I pull too tight?”

“Yes.” She laughed at my face. “God, you really are in a fog. It’s fine. You always do braids tight. I’m used to it.”

“You don’t want it to come out.”

“Price for beauty. And that I don’t have sweaty looking hair.” She shook out my hands that had been increasingly tightening on hers.

God, I was so pathetic. I was hanging onto her like a lifeline.

“Daisy, I’m worried about you. We all are.”

“You’re talking about me?” Okay, so maybe all the tears weren’t gone. My eyes stung, but I tipped my head back so none would fall. I’d spent an hour doing my damn makeup before I had to show up at the venue.

We’d all fallen into a rhythm. Soundcheck each of the instruments with their techs then the band members would show up in a rotating basis. That way I was able to get everyone in for hair and makeup before the show.

I even helped out with the Warning sign ladies.

I’d rather stay busy anyway. It kept me from thinking—mostly.

“Hey. It’s okay to be sad.”

“I don’t want to be.”

Teagan yanked me in for a hug. And well there went the no tears thing. I clung to her because it was exactly what I needed.

I was so used to doing everything on my own. It’s just how it always was. Kerry had always been my only family to speak of. My parents hadn’t ever been the hands on kind of loving people you saw in Hallmark commercials. Intellectually I knew no one really had that greeting card kind of life, but the two bands on this tour, as well as their crew, reminded me just how lonely I’d been.

And Oz showed me so much more than I was ready for.

“I don’t want to go.”

“Go? Go where?” Teagan pushed me back. “What?”

I winced at her shriek-level voice. “Keep it down.” I hadn’t meant to say that out loud. Crap.

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