Page 56 of Killer Notes
Watching him get on the bus with his bandmates, there’s no doubt he has his walls built back up. There’s no chance glances my way as he passes me. Just a sullen frown and watery eyes.
Danny keeps his eyes forward and spine stiff as he walks to the back bedroom where he’s bunking. I want to reach out to him, tell everyone to fuck off and hide him back in the lake house. But I can’t do that. If distance from me is what Danny needs, I’ll give it to him. Even if staying away is going to be the toughest hardship I’ve ever had.
With Connor by his side, I have a feeling I’m not going to get a chance to talk to Danny. The drummer’s worse than a rottweiler while guarding his best friend.
We’re barely on the road, and already the sixteen-hour drive is torture. All I want to do is wrap Danny up in my arms and tell him I’m here and no one—not even his douche bag ex, will get near him.
But at the same time, I knew this was coming. I knew this time between us wouldn’t last. I hate the fact that my gut is telling me we are through. He doesn’t need me anymore. And what we had at the lake house was only temporary.
The need between my legs, however, is a whole other factor I’m trying to ignore, but it’s getting more difficult with every passing mile.
Focus, damn it.
“Now why are we stopping in Ridgecrest?” Callum asks as he strums on his Stratocaster.
“Saint can’t go with us,” I say, stroking the top of my dog’s head. He must know he’s not coming because he’s whining a bit. “You be good for Cal.”
Another whine.
“That sucks. I thought he’d be our mascot,” Bobby says as he pops a piece of jerky into his mouth and then tosses a small piece to Saint, who snatches it in the air with a single snap. “See? He’d be a perfect mascot for us.”
I shake my head, then move toward the front where Dom is talking to the driver.
Dom turns to me. “We are nearly to Ridgecrest. Cal is good driving him to your friend’s place in Los Angeles?”
“Yeah. It’s good timing too, since there’s turmoil in his household and he has to get back,” I explain.
Dom scowls. “I know.”
We all know about Cal’s miserable predicament with his family—especially his alcoholic father. I just hope all that shit doesn’t get laid on his shoulders.
It doesn’t take long to rent a car for Cal and, after I said goodbye to Saint, and off they head west while we continue north to Black Rock.
Once the band settles, it’s our turn to work out the schedule. Amid all the concerns my team will be running into at this festival, Danny’s words keep playing like a broken record in my head.“I’m yours.”
Was he lying to me? I guess it doesn’t matter now—yes, it does.
I can’t ignore my instincts that Danny needs me.
Since we took off, he hasn’t come out of that back room. Danny might have fallen back into his dark headspace, but I’m the one who’s going to pull him out. And I won’t take no for an answer.
I storm past Danny’s friends, who are chilling in living area.
“Hey, where are you going?” Connor steps in front of me.
“I’m talking to Danny.”
“No.” The drummer shakes his head. “Danny needs time to process.”
“That’s bullshit and you know it. He doesn’t need to process. He needs to face this head on and I’ll be there when he does,” I clip out.
“Connor, let him go. Maybe the guy’s right,” Callum says, waving his hand at the drummer to move out of my way.
“Stop being an asshole,” Bobby throws in between sips of his… apple cider? I glance over at Pen, who’s smirking, then looks at me and shrugs. This must be his doing.
“Don’t hurt him,” I hear Connor say, before he moves out of my path.
I look at Danny’s friend. “I won’t.” Then I move past him, striding down the short hall until I reach the closed door. I think about knocking, but fuck that. Danny’s going to get a dose of real, and I’m going to show him he isn’t alone in this. His band is here and so am I.