25. Chapter 25
Chapter 25
Ace
I have to remind myself to breathe as the reality of facing my sister again after all these years sinks in. I don’t have a fucking clue what I’m supposed to say to her, or what she thinks she can say to make any of this shit better. But here we are.
Kit’s standing beside me, watching closely, along with Xander and Theo, but the words coming out of their mouths fall on deaf ears. My mind’s too fucked up to process what they’re talking about. Instead, I zero in on the one thing that's keeping me grounded—the soft touch of Scarlet’s hand holding mine.
When Xander gives my shoulder a squeeze, I finally lift my head. He steps aside, Theo close behind, and without saying a word, they both quietly leave the room, giving me the space I need to face this.
A knock on the door sends my heart racing, and Kit moves to open it before I can even brace myself. The door opens and there she is—Daisy. She looks older, sure, but the face is the same. Her smile wavers, and her eyes are already wet, glistening with unshed tears. She still looks like the sister I remember, still as pretty, but all I can feel is the heavy reminder of what she did—leaving me to deal with everything alone when she bailed. That wound. It’s still wide open, and letting go feels damn near impossible.
“Ace,” she says, her voice wavering as she moves toward me, but she freezes when I push up off the table. She looks unsure, like she doesn’t know if she should come any closer. Honestly, I don’t know either. Right now, all I can think about is the regret of not having more to drink.
A tear rolls down her cheek, and she hastily wipes it away, her hands trembling. I can see this is tearing her apart, too, but that doesn’t make it any easier for me. Standing here after all these years, after everything that’s happened. The pain resurfaces, raw and fresh, mixing with anger and confusion, and I can’t shake the feeling that nothing can really fix the broken bond between us.
“Why now? Why do you want anything to do with me now?” My voice cracks, the words raw and spilling out like a dam breaking. Every bit of pain and confusion I’ve buried over the years surges to the surface. “You didn’t give a shit back then, so why now?” My voice trembles, heavy with the weight of all those years spent wondering where she was, and why she disappeared. She was everything to me—my big sister, the person I looked up to. And then, out of nowhere, she vanished, leaving me to face hell alone. To deal with the aftermath, to pick up the broken pieces she left behind. Anger flares in me, as sharp as ever, and I feel that familiar sting of betrayal all over again.
She looks down at her hands, cupping them together like she’s holding onto something fragile, something precious. “I know I did, Ace, and I’m sorry. It’s been the biggest regret of my life.” Her voice trembles as she meets my gaze, and I can see the pain etched on her face. The stray tear that trickles down her cheek seems to pull at my heart, as if they’re dragging my own emotions to the surface.
I let go of Scarlet’s hand and sit down in one of the couches. I have no clue what anyone expects from this meeting. Maybe they think I’m gonna blow up at Daisy, finally unload all the shit I’ve been carrying for years. But as I look at her now—broken, vulnerable, carrying her own weight of regrets—it hits me that maybe it wasn’t as simple as I’d convinced myself. The anger that’s been smoldering inside me all this time. It suddenly feels…hollow, like it doesn’t have the fuel I thought it did.
“Come sit down,” I say, gesturing to the end of the couch. The words come out rough, but I try to keep my voice steady. It’s the least I can do to give her a chance to explain herself.
As she moves over to take a seat next to me on the couch, Kit quietly slips out the door, giving us some much-needed privacy. Across the room, I catch Scarlet’s gaze; she tilts her head towards the door, silently asking if I want her to leave too. I give a small shake of my head—she doesn’t need to go. I need her support to help me navigate this mess, even if it’s just having someone I trust by my side.
“I’m so sorry, Ace,” Daisy says, taking a seat on the couch. Her voice is thick with emotion, making it hard for me to listen to. “I never reached out to you because I didn’t want you to think it was only because of your fame.” She wipes her tears with trembling fingers, and seeing her like this hits me hard. It’s painful to watch someone I once put on a pedestal looking so broken.
“Can I ask why you left?” I finally manage to say, struggling to keep the hurt from overtaking me.
Her gaze locks onto mine, brimming with guilt and pain that’s impossible to ignore. “The guys she’d bring home,” she begins, her voice trembling as she searches for the right words, like she’s sifting through a pile of broken glass, “the way they’d look at me... it was like…” She trails off, eyes squeezing shut as if the memory itself is too sharp to handle. I feel the weight of what she’s trying to say, the words unspoken yet hitting with brutal clarity.
I reach out and take her hand, hoping to offer some support, something to ease the heaviness in the room. When she opens her eyes at my touch, the vulnerability I see in them makes my chest ache. It’s a look I never want to see on her face again.
“I’d lock my room every night,” she continues, her voice trembling. “Remember when you used to sleep on the floor beside my bed? I did that because I was scared, Ace. I wanted to protect us from what was happening.”
The memories rush back—how she used to look after me, always my protector when I was younger. Hearing her now, revealing the hurt she hid behind that role, hits me in a way I’m not prepared for. It’s like the past and present are colliding, old memories woven through the rawness of our pain, stirring up a storm of emotions I can barely hold back.
“When our mother passed out on the couch,” she begins, her voice cracking, “one of her boyfriends was in my room when I walked in. I knew right then after what he did to me, I had to get out of that house.”
She takes a deep breath, and I gently run my thumb over the back of her hand, hoping to offer some comfort. Her confession adds a layer of understanding I hadn’t considered before, twisting the knife of guilt deeper into my gut, making me angry that she had to go through that.
“There was no way I could take you with me,” she continues, her voice unsteady as she fights to maintain her composure. “I had no idea where I was going. I lived on the streets for the first year, Ace. I had every intention of coming back for you, but…” She sniffs, her tears falling freely. “But I never did. I’m so sorry.”
I glance over at Scarlet, who’s wiping her own tears away, and it hits me hard: all this time, I thought my sister had just abandoned me without a second thought. But now, seeing her like this—broken and raw—I finally understand that she loved me just as much as I loved her.
She’s not to blame for any of this. The real blame falls on our mother. The one who put us both through this nightmare. I want to forgive Daisy—for the pain I thought she caused, for the years I felt abandoned.
“It’s not your fault, Daisy. It’s our mother’s,” I say, the anger simmering, just beneath the surface, as I think about the wreckage she left behind. She exploited her own bullshit story, making herself the victim while leaving us to deal with the fallout. She left us with scars that run deep, that cut in ways no one else will ever understand.
I shift in the seat, moving closer to hug her—something I never do. But right now, it feels like it’s the only thing that makes sense. Like I need to shield her from everything we’ve been through. It’s not just for her, though; it’s for me too. A way of silently saying she’s not to blame. She never was, no matter how much we’ve both been broken by all the shit we’ve carried.
When I finally pull back, Daisy looks up at me, and I see my own eyes reflected in hers. That same haunted look I’ve seen in the mirror too many times.
“I want to set the record straight, Ace,” she says, her voice thick with emotion, sniffling as she wipes away the last of her tears. “I want to tell everyone the truth—that all those stories our mother spins are pure bullshit. She’s just trying to profit off your fame. Let me do this for you. I know I walked away, and I never came back to get you. But let me fix it now. Let me make it right.”
My eyes linger on her, carefully studying every minuscule change in her expression. It’s clear that she needs this as much as I do, maybe even more. This storm has been raging around us for what seems like forever, but standing united against it brings a small sense of calm to the chaos.
“Okay,” I finally say, nodding as I meet her eyes, the flicker of courage in them steadying something inside me. “Will you stay? We can talk after the show.”
Her small smile hits me with a wave of nostalgia, taking me back to the days when I’d sit beside her, showing off my shitty, crayon-scrawled drawings. That smile of hers always seemed to make everything better, even when the world around us was crumbling. It reminds me of just how much she meant to me—more than a sister. She was the one who held things together, more of a mother than the woman who claims that title now.
“I’d like that,” she says, and for the first time in what feels like forever, I feel something shift—like maybe, just maybe, there’s a chance we can move forward.
Standing up, I feel torn between wanting to stay and talk with her, and the realization that I need to haul myself out onto that stage. The fans are waiting, and I have no fucking idea where Walter’s band is—by now, they’re usually in here, celebrating another killer night. Daisy stands up too, I glance over at Scarlet, feeling this surge of gratitude that she’s been here with me, helping me get through all of this.
“This is Scarlet,” I start, fumbling for the right words. Fuck, what do I even call her? I’ve never had to introduce someone like her before, and it’s way more complicated than it should be. I take a breath, trying to keep it simple, even though nothing about this feels fucking simple at all. “She’s a member of the band.” It’s lame, I know, but it’s all I can manage right now. Then I turn to Scarlet. “Scarlet, this is my sister, Daisy.”
Scarlet steps forward with a smile, extending her hand to Daisy. They exchange a quick greeting, and I watch the brief connection between them.
“Do you want to watch the show from the wings?” I ask Daisy, feeling awkward as hell. I’ve never had anyone here like this—someone who genuinely wants to be in my corner.
“Yeah, I’d like that, Ace,” she says, with a smile.
Walking over to the door, I pull it open and find Neil standing there, clearly under Kit’s orders to keep everyone out. In front of him are the members of Twisted and Disturbed, their faces flushed, and their clothes soaked from pouring their souls out on stage.
Letting Scarlet take the lead, I follow behind as we make our way out, with Daisy trailing behind me. As soon as we exit the room, Neil moves aside, allowing the band to flood into the green room. The energy shifts instantly as they pour in, ready to celebrate the night’s success. The buzz of excitement fills the air, a stark contrast to the heaviness of the conversation that had just taken place seconds before. It’s like stepping from one world into another.
Scarlet and Daisy head out in front, with Scarlet animatedly pointing out various things and showing Daisy the ropes of what goes on behind the scenes. It’s nice to see them connecting.
Neil walks beside me, his expression all business-like. “The guys are waiting near the stage,” he says.
As we reach the side of the stage, I spot Kit, Xander, and Theo waiting. The second Xander catches sight of me, he looks over, and Theo and Kit turn to follow his gaze.
When Scarlet reaches the group, she steps aside to give me room to come forward. “Guys, this is my sister, Daisy,” I say, trying to keep things casual even though my nerves are buzzing.
Daisy smiles, her gaze landing on Xander. “Yes, I remember Xander from when he was little,” she says, and I can’t help but grin at the memory. Back then, whenever she picked me up from school, Xander was always there with us. That was around a year after he lost his mom, and his home life had turned to shit.
I glance at Xander, who’s smiling back at her with that easy charm of his. “Good to see you again, Daisy,” he replies, with genuine warmth in his voice.
“And this is Theo,” I say, gesturing toward him.
Theo flashes my sister a charming smile, his usual flirtatious energy dialed back for the moment. He takes her hand and gives it a firm shake. “Nice to meet you, Daisy.”
Fuck, it hits me—I never asked about her life. Not once did I bother to find out if she’s married or has kids. There’s this entire part of her world I know nothing about, like a stranger’s life running parallel to mine.
“Are you watching from the wings?” Kit asks, giving me a quick look to make sure it’s alright.
“Yeah, she is,” I reply, feeling a flicker of warmth at the thought of her supporting me.
“I’ll keep an eye on her,” Kit assures me. “Now you guys need to get your asses out there. The crowd’s getting restless.”
I glance back at Daisy, and she gives me a reassuring smile—a small gesture, but it gives me the boost I need. I turn toward the stage, noticing the rest of the guys are already out there.
As I make my way to grab my guitar, Theo slips his strap over his head and catches my eye. “Hey, Ace, you okay?” he asks.
I nod, though I can feel the weight of everything. “Yeah, just… a lot going on.” I try to brush it off.
“Just remember, we’ve got your back, man,” he says with a reassuring grin.
I can see how genuinely concerned Theo is, and it’s clear he gets just how tough it is for me to revisit one of the most challenging periods of my life. His small gesture of reaching out means a hell of a lot to me. Despite the tension we had earlier in our conversation at the hotel and his skepticism about my relationship with Scarlet, it’s reassuring to know Theo’s got my back. We might clash, and he might annoy the shit out of me more times than I’d like, but I know through all the bullshit, I can always count on him to stand by my side when it counts.
“You up for the challenge tonight, old man?” Theo asks, a grin spreading across his face as I turn around.
I know exactly what he’s getting at—he’s itching for another guitar showdown. If he thinks I’m going to go easy on him, he’s got another thing coming.
“Don’t think I’ll go easy on you,” I reply, a smirk tugging at the corners of my mouth.
Theo laughs, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Good. I was worried you might need a nanna nap first.”
I laugh, feeling the mood lighten.
As the curtains pull back, the deafening roar of the crowd engulfs us like a tidal wave. As I count us in for the first song, a rush of adrenaline surges through me.
Throughout the night, I sneak quick looks at the side of the stage, catching glimpses of my sister beaming with a heartfelt smile. It’s such a relief to realize that she never really left me; it’s like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I was always in her thoughts, even if it felt otherwise.
She’s right, though—if she’d reached out a few years back, I’d have thought it was all about the fame and shut her out. Watching her mouthing the lyrics along with the crowd brings a feeling I can’t quite put into words. It’s like a missing piece finally falling into place. I never imagined she’d be here, cheering me on, let alone knowing the words to our songs. I give her a smile, and when she smiles back, there’s a quiet understanding between us that bridges years of silence and hurt. For the first time, it feels like things might actually be okay.
My attention shifts to Scarlet, completely lost in the music and fucking owning it. Watching her like this is something else. The way she moves, the way she lets the rhythm take control of her body, has me craving her more than I thought possible. I can’t wait to get back to that hotel room tonight. The thought of peeling off her clothes, and exploring that gorgeous body, has me craving her more than ever. I’m itching to show her just how much she turns me on, how her every move sends heat pooling low in my stomach, making my cock hard and my breath hitch. The thought of tasting her, feeling her soft skin beneath my fingers, and watching her eyes flutter with pleasure as I take my time sends a thrill through me. I can almost hear her breathy moans in my mind, feel the heat radiating from her skin. Tonight, I’ll show her exactly what she does to me, and nothing’s going to hold me back.
As we hit the final song of the night, “Creep,” I’m still riding high from the adrenaline. Theo poured everything he had into our guitar showdown, strutting around wearing that cocky grin, convinced he could actually take me down. But once again, I owned that stage. He put up one hell of a fight, but he never stood a chance.
While Xander moves to the side to grab his guitar, Theo and I head over for a quick drink. We down our drinks, sharing a quick laugh before moving back into position. As the opening notes of “Creep” echo through the arena, Xander holds out the mic, and the crowd erupts, belting out the lyrics with raw passion. This song means everything to them, especially to Xander. The connection between the band and the audience is electric, palpable in every heartbeat and every cheer. As Theo and I move to the front of the stage, we watch the sea of phone lights swaying back and forth in unison. This is what we live for—the energy, the vibe, the way we touch people’s lives.
And then I feel her. I don’t even need to see her to know she’s there. My instincts kick in, and I pull her close, wrapping my arm around her shoulder and drawing her into a tight hug. I plant a kiss on the top of her head, and the crowd’s roar amplifies at the unexpected display of affection. Then it hits me hard—showing this kind of vulnerability in front of thousands of people is completely out of character for me.
Theo slaps me on the back, grinning wide, and I turn to catch his nod of approval. It’s a small gesture, but it means a lot. For the first time in ages, it feels like things are starting to fall back into place between us. I can feel the weight lifting, and it’s like we’re on the path to better days ahead.
The night has been a success, and for once, I’m actually smiling. Despite the shitstorm of my mother’s media circus and the assholes chanting that crap outside the hotel earlier, I’m riding a high. It feels different, lighter somehow, though I can’t quite pinpoint why. Maybe it’s the adrenaline still pulsing through my veins or the fact that we truly connected with the crowd in a way that felt authentic.
As we wrap up and prepare to say our goodbyes to the crowd, I hang back with Scarlet and Theo, letting Xander take his time leaving the stage first. Once he’s gone, the three of us start making our way across. I pause for a moment, waiting for Scarlet, and when she looks up at me, there’s a shift deep in my chest. Something’s changed between us—I feel it. She’s all I can think about. Through all the chaos, she’s been right there, steady, never judging me the way I thought she might. She’s seen the broken, fucked-up parts of me, and somehow, she still accepts me, flaws and all.
As I reach the side of the stage, where my sister stands waiting, I can't shake the feeling that her presence here has sparked something deep within me. It’s like she’s illuminated a part of me I didn’t even know was dark.
“That was amazing, guys,” she says, glancing at us while we grab bottles of water from the table. Her eyes lock onto mine. “I’m so proud of you, Ace.”
Her words hit me hard, unfamiliar and raw, making me have to avert my gaze to hold back the tears. It’s a feeling I haven’t experienced before—pride, acceptance, connection.
Xander comes over and rests his hand on my shoulder, grounding me in the moment. He then turns to Daisy and asks. “Are you coming down to the green room with us?”
Daisy looks between Xander and me, her warm smile still bright on her face. “I’d love to, if that’s alright with you guys.”
I nod, knowing we still have much to discuss. It’s a lot, but I want that. I want to understand her life and all the things she’s done. It wasn’t until this moment that I fully realize how much I missed her or how much anger I’ve been carrying, convinced that she was just another person who left me behind. It was never her fault. She did what she had to do to survive that house of horror. While those bastards were cruel to me, they hurt her in ways I can’t even imagine.
I am ready to heal, and having her next to me is the first step in that process. I want to be the brother she needs, the support she deserves. This isn’t just about me anymore; it’s about us, about finding a way to move forward together.
As the rest of the band head towards the green room, Daisy and I follow slowly behind them. “Just a heads-up,” I say, walking beside her. “It gets pretty wild in the green room. There’s this other band from Australia with us, and then there are the groupies—wild ones who seem to think boundaries are optional.”
I give her a reassuring smile, hoping to ease any nerves she might have. I want her to feel comfortable in this environment, even if it’s a bit overwhelming. “But don’t stress about any of it. Just grab a drink and relax. Once I’m done with everything, I’ll come find you, and we can catch up.”
Turning to Daisy, I realize there’s so much I don’t know, things I never bothered to ask. “Hey,” I say, my voice softer. “Are you… married? Any kids?” The words feel strange, like I’m talking to someone I just met instead of the sister I’ve known all my life.
A broad smile spreads across her face, lighting up her features. “Yes, I’m married to a loving man, and I am a proud mother of three beautiful daughters.”
“Wow,” I say, taking it all in. “Three daughters? That’s a lot of girls.”
"Yeah," she says, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "And someday, they'd really love to meet their uncle."
The thought of family brings a strange, comforting warmth that settles in my chest. I can almost picture those little girls running around, full of life and energy. “Xander has a son named Alex, so that’s four for me now—one nephew and three nieces.”
It slowly sinks in: I’m not just her brother anymore. I’m part of something bigger, something worth holding onto, something worth fighting for.