Page 79 of Play Fast (Brooklyn Dawn 2)

She moved right to the dressing table. There was an assortment of girl crap spread over the surface, along with a few denim and leather items slung over the back of the sofa. A pair of huge boots I recognized as Cooper’s stood beside it. We didn’t often have to share dressing rooms nowadays due to the bigger venues on our arena tour, but this place was kitschy and different, the perfect space for an intimate fan club show.

Minus the fuckery from whomever wanted to screw with us.

Sarah picked up a folded piece of white paper from the dressing table and something fell out on the desk, a flash of brown and gold. There was a note with it. She read it quickly before pushing it in my direction, along with the item that had fallen out.

“Sorry, this is yours.” She cleared her throat. “I’ll check in with Noah and catch up with you soon.”

She was gone before I could make a smart remark.

I set aside my guitar case and unfolded the paper first, my throat tightening at Daisy’s looping handwriting.

Notes from years ago popped in my head.

We’re going to the field party. Pick us up at 11? Ker says pretty please.

I’d kept that particular note. I hadn’t known why, even back then. It was folded up at the bottom of my sock drawer, buried under socks that were best suited for the trash bin.

This note wasn’t nearly as entreating.

Kerry gave me this the last night. I’ve had it all these years. You need it more now.

It wasn’t strictly a goodbye, but I knew that it might as well have been. I couldn’t fault her, since I hadn’t given her the courtesy of even that.

The last night. Had there even been

three more painful words?

I pulled out the chain from beneath the paper, the knot in my throat growing at the sight of the arrowhead edged in fake gold. I didn’t know why Kerry had loved this necklace so much, but she’d found it one day when we were kids. Our mom had given her a metal detector for Christmas one year, and the three of us had gone out to Long Island to the beach. Kerry had searched for something cool for a while before she’d unearthed the arrowed necklace with its faux gold over sterling and inlaid turquoise stone. The stone was gone now, leaving just an empty casing.

She’d worn that necklace for years. Then, the turquoise had been intact. When had it fallen out? Before she’d given it to Daisy? After?

I closed my fingers around the arrowhead, picturing Kerry wearing it. Her bright smile, her expressive green eyes.

“Look, Ozzy, I found my own buried treasure.”

I fumbled with the lobster clasp. I hooked it around my neck after a couple of tries, swallowing deeply as it settled over my chest. The arrowhead felt warm. Whether the sensation came from Daisy’s hand or mine or just my imagination, it didn’t matter. The heat against my skin brought so much rushing back, none of it pleasant.

My sister was gone. Forever. The me I’d been then was too.

All I could do now was regret.

I folded the note and tucked it in the small pocket on Vicki’s guitar case. Then I sat down on the couch and opened the mini fridge, hoping like hell someone had stocked alcohol. I didn’t care what. I just didn’t want to think anymore.

A bottle came to hand and I popped the top, drinking it down in a long gulp.

The knock at the door made me growl.

“I’ll be ready in a minute.” As soon as the words were out, I jumped to my feet to throw open the door in case it was Daisy.

I might know I had to stay away from her, but my stupid reflexes did not.

The hall was empty.

I pressed my forehead against the doorjamb and gripped the necklace against my chest.

Help me, Ker. Help me get through this.

Sixteen

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