Release: A Ransom Novel Read online

  His eyes dart over to her and the protective, brotherly look makes my heart melt a little. Like I said, Lennon is a good guy.

  “Len is very excited to work on his tan,” Daltrey tells us with a straight face.

  “Absolutely,” Lennon agrees seriously. “I have my bikinis picked out already.”

  “That’s information I didn’t need, little brother,” Cash says, appearing at Karen’s shoulder. “Hey, pretty lady.”

  She rolls her eyes but giggles and I might even detect a blush on her cheeks. Karen has always had a crush on Cash, and I have a feeling it might take a few days of being close to him again for her to stop getting breathless every time he talks to her.

  “We’re just talking about Mexico,” she says—or squeaks, depending on how honest I’m being.

  “Mexico is going to be fucking tight,” Cash says, casually draping an arm over Karen’s shoulder. Lennon makes a big show of rolling his eyes while Daisy glares at him—from the look on Daisy’s face I get the feeling he knows exactly what effect he has over Karen. “You guys should see the villa we rented. It’s right on the beach and totally private.” He wiggles his eyebrows at Karen. “Lots of secret places to get lost.”

  She laughs again, but this time pushes his arm off her shoulder. Maybe it won’t take her a couple days to stop being star-struck after all.

  “Despite my brother’s doucheyness,” Lennon cuts in, “it actually will be really cool. The villa is adjacent to a really sweet resort, so there are lots of restaurants where we can eat—”

  “But we also have a staff, so they can prepare food at the villa,” Cash adds.

  “And the resort has boats and jet skis and all that shit,” Lennon continues. “So, there’s plenty to do.”

  “If there’s a pool and a lounge chair I’m pretty much set,” Karen says.

  “That’s because you’re boring,” I tell her.

  “I don’t know. Lying around in the sun for a week straight sounds pretty damn good to me.” I turn to see that Reed is approaching, his conversation with the unknown roadie apparently over. “Hey, Paige. Hey, Karen.”

  Unlike his brothers, Reed doesn’t hug either of us. He looks almost agitated, worried. His hands are shoved in his pockets and, up close, his face looks tired. It worries me a little, to see him so visibly different. Reed is the serious one in the group, the focused, hard-working, live-and-die by the success of the band, one. The entire time we toured with them I rarely saw him relax in any real way. Sometimes, he would have drinks after the show, sometimes he would go out to clubs, but, for the most part, it was all work all the time with Reed. I wonder if all of that is finally catching up to him.

  “Do you think your girlfriend is going to let you relax that much?” Cash asks, his eyebrow raised. “Won’t she have you running off to yoga classes and crossfit and whatever other shit she does every day?”

  “Your girlfriend?” Karen asks in that same squeaky voice. “Sienna Matthews is coming?”

  “That’s the plan,” Reed says. If possible, he looks even more tired than he did before her name was mentioned. “I’m going out there for Christmas and then we’ll come down together a few days before New Year’s.”

  “Holy shit,” Karen mutters under her breath, and I meet her eyes, knowing mine are every bit as wide as hers are. Sienna Matthews, Reed’s girlfriend, is a legit movie star. She got her start in some crappy teen soap (I say crappy, but Karen and I totally watched it) before landing her first small movie role. She’s been bouncing her way from one supporting role to another ever since. She’s totally poised for a breakout to the big leagues, soon—she’s been cast as the lead role in some major blockbuster action movie coming out this spring and I hear she’s taping a reality show following her ascent to superstardom. I can’t believe we’re going to be staying in the same house as she is, for a week.

  For some reason, Karen and I are the only ones who look excited about this development. Lennon is downright scowling, and Daisy is staring pointedly at the floor. Before I can wonder what that’s all about, Reed is patting my shoulder and saying his goodbyes.

  “Band meeting in ten, guys.”

  “Band meeting?” Daltrey scowls. “This was the last show, dude. What in the hell do we have to talk about?”

  “Would you rather we have the meeting when we’re all together for the Christmas party?” Reed asks. “Or in Mexico?”

  The other boys grumble as Reed walks away. “He’s getting as bad as Dad,” Cash mutters.

  “No one is as bad as Dad,” Lennon argues. “But he’s getting pretty bad.”

  “What’s up with him?” I ask timidly. I don’t want them to think I’m prying—I’m not really in the inner circle here—but I’m also worried by the change in Reed, by how clearly exhausted he is.

  “God knows,” Cash says, shaking his head. “Pressure’s getting to him, if you ask me.”

  “He thinks we’re about to hit the sophomore slump,” Lennon explains. “With the second album and tour, it’s pretty normal to have a drop off.”

  “Apparently he hasn’t noticed how the fans have been responding at these preview shows,” Cash says. “They’re fucking crazy about us.”

  “There’s no point in getting stressed,” Daltrey says, pointing at Cash. “But there’s no point in being cocky, either, brother. The sophomore slump is a legitimate phenomenon. This is no time to be phoning it in.”

  “When have I ever phoned it in?” Cash cries, immediately pissed. Daltrey makes a sound like a snort and Cash’s face visibly hardens. Before they can escalate, Daisy has her hands on both of their arms.

  “Chill. No one is phoning it in. And there’s not going to be a slump either.”

  “You don’t have to be such a smart-ass all the time, Daltrey,” Cash snarls over her head.

  “And you don’t have to be such a cocky bastard all the time, Cash.”

  Just when I think they might come to blows, Reed’s voice calls from the side of the room, loud and stern. “Guys. Band meeting.”

  Daltrey and Cash, both breathing heavily, take a step back from each other. “Jesus,” Lennon mutters. “Give it a rest.” He turns to Karen and me. “Sorry about the idiot Ransome boys. I promise they won’t be assholes in Mexico.”

  “Like I said,” Karen assures him, leaning in for a hug goodbye, “give me a pool and a lounge chair and they can rip each other apart for all I care.”

  He laughs and hugs me too. “See you guys in a week or so.”

  Cash and Daltrey also say their goodbyes, keeping a good distance from each other, before the boys follow Reed out of the dressing room.

  “Wow,” I mutter to Daisy once they’re gone. “What the hell was that?”

  “They’re all sick of each other.” She sighs and jumps up on the counter. “The album recording was stressful and they got behind schedule. And Levi isn’t here.”

  “Levi?” Karen asks, confused. “What’s he got to do with it?”

  Daisy shakes her head. “Everything. Levi wasn’t just a roadie—he kept this whole thing together. He kept the guys in a good mood; made sure they had whatever they needed. And he broke up their fights.” She smiles ruefully. “Fighting between them is actually not at all uncommon—it’s a daily practice. They fight about everything, always have. When he was seventeen, Cash gave Lennon a black eye because he ate the rest of his favorite cereal. You just never saw that stuff on tour because Levi was there to break it up before it got out of hand.”

  “So he’s definitely not coming back, huh?” I ask, joining her on the counter.

  Daisy suddenly looks just like I remember her from when we first met. It wasn’t just that she was scared to be around people and suffered from panic attacks—though both of those things were definitely a big issue for her—the thing that I remembered most from those early days was how heartbreakingly sad she always looked. Hopeless.

  She looks like that now as she stares down at her feet. “It doesn’t seem likely. Lennon invit
ed him to Mexico but I don’t think he would go unless Daltrey reaches out—and that’s not happening.”

  “He’s still pissed?” When things had gotten so messy last year, Levi stepped in to help Daisy out. In doing so, he took her far away from Daltrey and the boys—and kept her from contacting them. But it was his confession of having feelings for her that put the wedge between the two old friends, and I wasn’t sure Daltrey would ever forgive him for that.

  “It’s all my fault,” Daisy says, her eyes still on her feet.

  “That’s bullshit,” Karen says, taking her hand. “You know it’s bullshit, Daisy. You didn’t do anything wrong. Those boys messed up—both of them. If they can’t be adults and get over it you can’t make them.”

  She nods, but I know she still feels guilty. It strikes me how little time has passed, really, since Daisy’s melt-down. I’m suddenly very relieved that Karen and I are going to Mexico, and not just for our own sake. I’m glad she’s with Daltrey now, but I always thought that what Daisy needed most in her life was some quality time with girlfriends.

  “Maybe he’ll just show up,” I suggest brightly. “You never know—people can surprise you.”

  She looks up finally and her smile is small but genuine. “You’re totally right, Paige. People can surprise you all the time.”

  I know that she’s talking about the start of our friendship and I smile, feeling all warm and corny on the inside. Before I can start sniffling, Daisy changes the subject. “So, are you guys packed?”

  “Oh, God,” Karen moans. “Please do not get her started. You know what she’s like.”

  “Hey! Just because I’m excited and want to make sure we’re prepared—” I stop mid-sentence when I see that Daisy is struggling not to laugh. I scowl at both of them. “I happen to be an excellent packer.”

  “She tried to get me to buy a wet suit,” Karen tells Daisy.

  “We might take scuba lessons! You can do that at fancy resorts.”

  “Yes, and I’m sure those same fancy resorts also have suits you can rent,” Karen says, arms crossed. “I hardly need to spend money I don’t have on a wet suit I’m going to use once in my life. And I definitely don’t need five texts from you a day trying to convince me otherwise.”

  I blush a little. Okay, so I might have a tendency to get overly excited about things. And I sometimes have a hard time letting go of an idea when it’s in my head. But that’s only because I want my friends to have a good time.

  Daisy looks at us fondly. “I’ve missed your bickering.”

  “Well, you’ll have plenty of time to soak it all up in Mexico,” Karen says flatly.

  “We’re not going to bicker in Mexico—it will be paradise! You don’t bicker in paradise!”

  Daisy laughs. “I really hope the boys agree. I do not want to have to call Mr. Ransome and tell him that Cash broke Lennon’s arm, or something.”

  “Yeah, that wouldn’t go over too well.”

  Daisy’s phone buzzes, and she pulls it from her pocket to check the screen. “That’s Dalt. He’s about ready to go.” She looks up at us. “Do you guys need a ride? We have a few vans outside.”

  “No, I have my car,” Karen assures her, jumping off the counter to stretch. “We should probably get going, we have an hour long drive.”

  “You be careful.” Daisy gives us both a long hug. “And have a great Christmas!”

  “You too. Any nice plans?”

  “The Ransome’s are having a big party back home Christmas Eve,” Daisy says, and her body visibly tenses at the mention of home, though her voice remains bright. “Dad and I are going.”

  “That sounds really great,” I tell her, wishing she never had to set foot in her hometown again, but grateful her dad and Daltrey will be with her when she does.

  She walks us back out of the dressing room and down the hall to the back exit. “I should get security to walk you,” she says, peering out through the open door. “It’s dark out there.”

  “We’re fine,” Karen assures her, linking her arm through mine. “Paige is a blue belt in taekwondo, you know.”

  Daisy gapes at me with an expression half-way between amazed and amused. “Seriously?”

  I nod. “I’m, like, really good, believe it or not.”

  She giggles and, to my surprise, grabs me for one last hug. “Somehow, Paige, I have zero problems believing that.”

  Chapter Two

  Reed

  It’s a strange sensation, standing in a crowd of people and feeling totally alone. Unfortunately it’s a feeling I’m becoming well acquainted with.

  I take a sip of my Jack and Coke, surveying the room. The house in the Cleveland suburbs is too new, and way too grand and imposing, for me to feel completely comfortable here—Dad just bought it in the fall in the hopes of giving us a home base when we’re not touring. He must have hired someone to get it all furnished and decorated, because I definitely don’t remember it feeling so homey the last time I was here. Right now it’s packed with family, friends, members of our crew, and the odd industry insider. At least a hundred people, milling around our house, drinking and eating and chatting. And I can’t find a single person I feel like talking to.

  Our family Christmas party has been a pretty big deal for the last few years, ever since we left home to tour as the supporting act for Grey Skies. No matter where we’ve been in the country—in L.A. recording an album, somewhere on the road on tour—we’ve thrown a big holiday bash on Christmas Eve to say thank you to the people who have contributed to our success. Of course, it’s also an opportunity for even more networking, at least from my dad’s perspective. Which he demonstrates now by waving me over to talk to whatever douchebag in a suit currently has his attention.

  I wave back, pretending I don’t get the signal, and turn my back quickly in search of more whiskey. It’s not like me to ignore a request from my dad, not when it comes to band-related business. He knows I’m the one who can be counted on to smile my way through interviews and meetings, no matter how much I may not want to. But tonight, on Christmas Eve, I just can’t bring myself to plaster on a grin and schmooze with some kiss-ass I’ve never met.

  I decide to go in search of my brothers. At least that way, if Dad corners me, I’ll have some back up. My search doesn’t last long before I catch sight of Cash slipping out of the room, a giggling blonde in a red dress and Santa hat following him. She’s dressed like the rest of the wait staff and I roll my eyes—should have expected that Cash would hook up with the first willing girl he laid eyes on, employee or not.

  I find Lennon sitting with our Aunt Lillian. I get close enough to overhear her saying something about Uncle John’s recent troubles with gout and turn on my heel, hoping I’m quick enough to get away without her seeing me.

  With Cash and Lennon occupied, that just leaves Daltrey, my youngest brother. He’s not difficult to find—all I need to do is locate Daisy’s halo of brown curls. Sure enough, he’s lounging on a couch by the fire, next to her father, while Daisy sits on the floor, her back against his knees. He’s saying something to Mr. Harris and his fingers drift down to her hair, playing with it idly, almost subconsciously. I shake my head, turning my attention to the wet bar instead. I refill my Jack and Coke—a lot more Jack than Coke this time—and idly watch them for a moment, trying to identify the feeling in my chest. When it hits me, I’m surprised. I’m jealous.

  Jealous of Daltrey? I ask myself, feeling incredulous. This is the kid I babysat, the kid I taught to tie his shoelaces. The kid I used to tease mercilessly about sucking his thumb well past toddlerhood. I know all the lame, wuss things the jerk has ever done, all of his dumb mistakes and embarrassing stories. He’s my little brother—he should look up to me.

  Yet, I can’t deny the feeling in my chest is really a stab of jealousy as I watch my little brother interacting with his girlfriend.

  Not that I have any kind of romantic feelings for Daisy. To me, she’ll always be the little girl in pigtails who liv
es next door. She’s practically a sister to my brothers and me—with the exception of Daltrey, of course. The two of them have always had a much more intense, deep relationship than she had with any of the rest of us, though the five of us spent most of our childhood and teen years together. I don’t think it was a surprise to anyone when they finally got together last summer.

  No, my jealousy doesn’t stem from my feelings for Daisy.

  It does, however, have a hell of a lot to do with the look on her face when she looks up at Dalt.

  My brothers and I have played for countless people over the past two years. We’ve opened for one of the biggest rock bands in the world, before headlining our very own tour. We’ve been on more entertainment and talk shows than I can keep track of. A few months ago, we played at the VMAs. There’s no shortage of people who have watched us perform, no shortage of screaming fans, no shortage of groupies willing to come back stage and get to know any of us a hell of a lot better.

  But there’s never been a single girl who has looked at me the way Daisy is looking at Daltrey.

  “Beer?” Cash asks, appearing beside me with a cold green bottle. I hold up my whiskey and he nods, tapping the side of his bottle lightly against my glass before taking a long pull.

  “I thought I saw you leaving with a waitress,” I ask.

  “Cassandra,” he sighs wistfully. “She had a beautiful rack.”

  I snort. “So why are you down here with me?”

  “Her boss caught us heading out and threatened to fire her.”

  We sip our respective drinks in silence for a moment, while I try to keep my eyes off Daltrey and Daisy. It wouldn’t make for a nice Christmas if he thinks I’m creeping on his girl.

  “When you heading out?” Cash asks, distracting me from my musings.

  “My flight’s not ’til midnight. The car should be here to take me to the airport in an hour.”

  He nods, looking around the room at our assorted friends and family. “I’m surprised you want to leave all this just to spend some time with a hot actress.” He grins over at me, like I needed a sign he was joking. As if Cash wouldn’t be the first one to abandon a family holiday party if he thought he might get some tail out of it.