Chapter Six
FALL SLIPPED QUIETLY INTO WINTER, Daisy’s favorite season. The holidays often left her brimming with inspiration, her art always sharper. Even her usually cynical brother seemed lighter this time of year.
Sean had finally relented to the fact that Daisy was growing closer to every member of The Kings Court.
Lenny and Kyler, in particular, were starting to feel more like brothers.
They welcomed her into their little clique after realizing her taste in music put Sean’s to shame.
They liked busting Sean’s chops almost as much as Daisy did and they never hesitated to take her side, if only because it annoyed him.
Jameson, to her surprise, seemed content with the strange limbo they were in.
Their friendship was steady, comfortable, and if she let herself admit it, refreshing.
She still carried massive feelings for him, but for now, the undefined closeness was enough.
They were circling each other, waiting for someone to make the first move.
The band, meanwhile, was thriving. Their once-a-month gigs at Bullets had turned into a weekly staple.
Crowds swelled, Frankie kept giving them more stage time, and soon The Kings Court, or TKC as everyone started referring to them as, became a local fixture.
Word spread quickly of the teenage rock band with swagger, talent, and a lead singer who could make a room stop breathing.
Daisy didn’t disagree with the description, especially the part about Jameson.
When school started again, Daisy began to emerge from the cocoon she’d once hidden inside. She didn’t dread socializing the way she used to. She was part of something bigger now, folded into a group that felt like family. She was, for all intents and purposes, an honorary member of The Kings Court.
“Let’s have a pool party,” Sean announced one afternoon on their drive home from school.
“A pool party? For what?”
“Our birthdays. Together, like when we were kids.”
Her heart melted a little. For once, her perpetually jerkish brother was being sweet. She’d assumed the more time she spent with “his” friends, the less he’d want her around, especially for his birthday.
“You’d share your birthday with me? I’d love that,” she nearly sang.
He rolled his eyes. “Don’t get all mushy. You’re cool with my friends now, so… might as well.”
“Fine, but don’t you think it’s too cold for a pool party?”
“It’ll be warmer by the end of March. The pool’s heated. We’ll be fine.”
“Then a pool party it is.”
Their parents went all-out for the joint party. A tiki bar stood in the corner of the yard with bartenders slinging mocktails. A buffet of appetizers, salads, and stacks of pizza filled another table.
While Daisy’s guest list was modest, Sean invited practically the entire sophomore class. The backyard swarmed with girls in bikinis and boys in swim trunks. Volleyball games broke out in the shallow end while the Jacuzzi overflowed with gossip and laughter.
Daisy stood watching in disbelief. Kids who had barely acknowledged her before now lounged in her yard.
“Whatcha doing?” Anna’s voice suddenly rang in her ear, making Daisy jump.
“Gosh, Anna, you scared the crap out of me.”
“I was hoping to scare you out of that dress,” Anna teased, tugging at her straps. “It’s a pool party, remember?”
“I’ll swim. Eventually.”
Anna’s eyes flicked past her, lips curving into a smirk. “Jameson!” she called, waving him over.
“What are you doing?”
Anna ignored her.
“Jameson, the birthday girl and I were just about to take a dip in the Jacuzzi. Care to join?”
Daisy whipped around. A shirtless Jameson walked toward them. Her pulse spiked. She’d seen glimpses of his body when he lifted his shirt on stage, but nothing compared to this.
“When did you get here?” she managed.
“Mum just dropped us off. She’s actually inside at the ‘adult party.’”
Daisy snorted. Her parents had cleverly staged their own gathering indoors, complete with real booze and better food.
“Lenny and Ky are changing. Come on.” Jameson held out his hand.
Her fingers tingled as she let him lead her to the Jacuzzi. Anna jumped right in, while Jameson lingered, waiting for Daisy. “You gonna swim in that dress?” he teased.
Taking a breath, Daisy tugged the hem upward, sliding her yellow dress over her head.
She felt his eyes on her and almost faltered.
Daisy had noticed her body changing over the last few months.
Her slim hips growing wider with curves and her small breasts getting fuller.
Evidently, Jameson had noticed as well. His stare was wide, intense, and for one terrifying second, she considered putting the dress back on over the one-piece swimsuit.
“Get in already!” Anna yelled.
Daisy brushed past him quickly and sank into the steaming water. Jameson slid in beside her, his hand slipping under the bubbles to rest lightly on her knee. Warmth surged through her.
Anna, meanwhile, was cozied up to Connor, Sean’s friend.
She and Ryan had broken up over the holidays.
Apparently, he wanted to focus more on school, which Daisy couldn’t blame him for.
The boy needed to graduate! And while he liked Anna, in the end, their age difference and the fact that he was planning on moving to Washington for college was a determining factor for their split.
Anna cried for a total of four hours, ate a tub of cookie dough ice cream, and was on her merry way. She hadn’t looked back since.
“This party’s awesome,” Jameson said, droplets running down his cheek. “You and Sean usually do it together?”
“Not for years. But now that we’re all friends, he thought it’d be fun.”
Jameson squeezed her knee. “I have a present for you.”
“Well, you better,” she teased, biting her lip. “It is my birthday.”
He grinned. “Later. I want to see your face when you open it.”
“What is it?”
He gave her a stern look. “Now that would completely defeat the purpose of seeing your surprised face when you open it.”
Next, Daisy did something that shocked even her. She moved her hand over his and interlocked their fingers. “I guess I can wait then.”
The night blurred with cake, laughter, and too many kids in too little space. As the crowd thinned, Jameson found Daisy back in her yellow dress, chatting with Lenny and Kyler. He motioned for her, and she followed him behind the pool house into her mother’s garden.
When they were out of sight, he handed her a small wrapped box and whispered, “Happy birthday, Daisy.”
Taking the gift, Daisy cautiously unwrapped it.
“Jameson… are these—”
“I know it’s not Aerosmith, but…”
Her mouth fell open. “Two tickets to U2?!”
She flung her arms around him.
“And Lenny Kravitz is opening. Do you like it?”
“U2? Lenny? This is the best present ever.” She beamed.
His grin told her he knew exactly what he’d done. He must’ve saved for months, and that thought alone made her chest ache in the best way.
At that moment, Daisy decided: enough waiting.
Without hesitation, she rose on her toes and pressed her lips to his.
For a breathless second, he was still.
Then he leaned in, his tongue grazing her lip, his hand cradling her cheek, the other tangling in her damp hair. Unsure of her own limbs, Daisy wrapped her arms around his waist, pulling him closer. Their mouths moved slowly, cautiously learning.
After countless minutes of discovery and tender kisses, they pulled back. Breathing heavy, they both stared at one another.
“What was that?”
Instead of answering, Daisy smirked. “You know what song comes to mind?”
His eyes narrowed playfully. “What song?”
“‘We Belong.’”
It took him a moment before he replied, “Pat Benatar?”
She nodded. “Nicely done.”
He chuckled. “Impressed. I think that’s wildly appropriate.”
“Thank you. Honestly, I might be better at this game than you.”
“Let’s not get cocky. I’d say we’re tied.”
“For now.” She laughed.
His gaze softened, lingering. Finally, he sighed. “We should get back before anyone gets suspicious.”
“One more thing.”
She kissed him again, firmer this time. Their bodies flushed together, the chlorine-mint taste sinking into her memory.
Slowly pulling back, she said, “Okay, now we can go.”
That night, Daisy tossed and turned, replaying every second in her mother’s garden. They had crossed a line, and there was no going back.
Later, her phone lit up.
Jameson: Hey, darlin’… are you awake?
Her heart fluttered.
Daisy: Hi. Yes. Can’t sleep.
Jameson: Same. Can’t stop thinking about that kiss.
Daisy: Me too. How did I do?
She immediately regretted the question, chewing her nail until his reply came.
Jameson: Not bad for your first time. But you could use some practice. I’m free for lessons anytime.
She laughed out loud.
Daisy: I bet you are, Band Boy. Tomorrow night? My studio?
Jameson: Band Boy? You sound like Anna. But fine. Your studio works.
Her breath hitched. Were they seriously making plans to make out again?
Absolutely!
Daisy: Great.
She hesitated, then typed again.
Daisy: In all seriousness… what does this mean?
There was a two-minute pause before he replied. Two minutes where Daisy was nearly on the verge of an anxiety attack.
Jameson: I want you to be my girl, Daisy Daniels. Plain and simple. Please say yes.
Her fingers flew.
Daisy: YES.
Jameson: Thank God. Now I get to take you to U2 as my girlfriend.
Grinning, she sent back one last line:
Daisy: Who said I was taking you? ;)