Page 38 of Animal Beats

Five years younger than me. “Only one more year until your parents are free.” I pause. “Unless she goes to college.” Which my stepsister did, of course. Anything to keep living off her parents. Once again, I thank Darren for getting UC off the ground when he did. Saved me from spending another minute under their roof.

Hayden readjusts herself. “Actually, my parents died a few years ago.”

Her admission rams into me. For someone who appears put together all the time—a total rule follower if I’ve ever met one—her life hasn’t been a bed of roses.

I begin to reach out to her, but pull back. “I had no idea. What happened?”

She looks out the window. I don’t push, simply allow her to share her story when she’s ready.

While she gathers her thoughts, I put some things together. The reason why she couldn’t buy the dress in Barcelona is because she needs to send money to her sister. Is she financially responsible for her? If her sister’s anything like mine, though, her sole purpose for existing is to waste money. I bet Hayden feels she has to look after her sister since her parents are gone. Heck, her sister’s seventeen. Time for her sibling to pull up her big girl panties!

I’m about to tell Hayden exactly this when she finds her voice again. “Three years ago, my parents were on their way back home from visiting my sister at her school.”

She’s only seventeen now, so she must be at some boarding school. Like I thought. Her sister might even rival mine for biggest squanderer sibling.

“It was dusk. Police told me someone cut off a tractor trailer on the highway. The driver swerved to avoid them. The contents in his truck shifted. His truck flipped. My parents were behind him and didn’t have anywhere to go. The impact was immediate.” She sucks in a breath and turns her head away from me.

Now I feel like a schmuck. It’s obvious she’s holding it together by a thin thread. “You must’ve loved them very much.”

Her hand rubs her arm. “I did.”

“Why haven’t you shared this with the band. We can be a pretty good support system.”

“My burdens aren’t your problem. I’m here to do PR, not be looked at as some sort of pathetic worker bee.”

“You could never be that.”

She looks tiny and alone. Unbuckling my seatbelt, I walk over, sit on the corner of her chair, and wrap her in my arms, directing her head to rest against my shoulder. She’s stiffer than a new drumhead, but I keep rubbing my hand up and down her back until she relaxes into me.

I try not to admire how her strawberry blonde hair compliments my skin.

I try not to notice how well she fits against my body.

I try not to sniff her intoxicating fresh scent, hinting at oranges.

Suddenly, my issues about accepting the award from the Philadelphia Drummers Society seem miniscule. If Pop and the Stepwitch come, I can block them out. Hayden doesn’t have this luxury.

“It’s been a long day. Want to lie down?”

Her heart beats in a staccato rhythm against my chest. Without moving her head, she asks, “Would you mind if I asked the flight attendant to lock up the booze first?”

Wow. What must she think? I’d go off on a bender if she doesn’t watch me like a hawk? I’ll give her a pass this time. This has been a very intense conversation.

I pull away from her inviting body. “How about this? We both go into the bedroom in the back. I won’t let you molest me and you don’t let me leave the room.” I extend my hand.

“Sounds like we have a deal.” I escort her to the bedroom.

Gonna be a first for me. We’re only going to sleep.

She enters the bedroom and stares at the king-size bed. “You seriously have a proper bedroom on this jet?”

“You never know how long a flight could be.” Makes perfect sense to me.

“You guys are spoiled. In coach, I consider it a win if I can move the seat back a few inches.”

I shrug. What can I say? “Do you have something to change into?”

She looks around. “The flight attendant took all my bags.” She kicks off her shoes. “Guess I’ll sleep in this dress.” She fingers the bottom hem, and I’d bet my last Grammy she’d rather wear anything than the dress I got her in Barcelona.