Thanks to Sean’s big mouth, word spread fast: The Kings Court were playing at Bullets Saturday night. Daisy planned to go with Anna and Ryan.
Anna had already been fully briefed on everything involving “Band Boy Kingston,” as she liked to call him. The second Daisy admitted what happened after Homecoming, Anna squealed so loud Daisy thought her eardrums might burst.
“Double D and Band Boy sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G! First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes—”
“Anna!” Daisy cringed.
Anna collapsed dramatically onto her studio floor, panting like she’d run a marathon. “Daisy, come on. A boy doesn’t spend the whole night with a girl and not even kiss her unless he’s serious. He likes you. I’d pounce on that now if I were you.”
“Anna!”
“What? Just some friendly advice.”
Daisy pretended to brush it off, but Anna’s words stuck with her all week. When Saturday rolled around, she pulled on her tightest black jeans, a white tank, and heeled boots. She threw a jacket over it all, equal parts to ward off the chill but also to prevent her father from commenting on how “suggestive” she looked.
The boys had practiced nonstop all week. Per Sean’s strict orders, Daisy was banned from the garage, which meant she only caught Jameson in class. They’d arrive early, sit close, whisper in stolen moments before the bell. It wasn’t nearly enough.
Her mom knocked. “Honey, Anna’s here!”
“Be right out!” Daisy finished her mascara, zipped her jacket, and headed downstairs.
She arrived just in time to hear her father’s booming voice put Ryan through an interrogation.
“Not a second later, you understand?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good. Sheriff Rodgers is a close friend of mine. Don’t test me, son.”
Ryan shook his hand, pale as a ghost, then bolted for the car.
“Dad, what did you say to him?”
“Ground rules. Eleven p.m. curfew. No exceptions.”
Daisy knew better than to argue. She hugged him quickly. “Love you, Dad.”
“Love you, too. Be careful.”
Bullets was packed. A line snaked around the block, but thanks to Sean—Daisy, Anna, and Ryan walked straight in with VIP passes.
Ryan found them a table near the stage before heading off for beverages.
“This is so cool,” Anna squealed. “Your boyfriend is basically a rock star.”
“He’s not my boyfriend.”
“Whatever.”
“Stop.”
“I’m just excited for you! Honestly, I thought this would never happen.”
Daisy narrowed her eyes. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“No offense, but you’re kind of the brooding loner type. Always locked in your studio, blasting that awful music. Crazy talented, yeah—but you don’t exactly put yourself out there.”
“My music is not awful.”
