Los Angeles, California.

A little over six hours later, we're touching down in Los Angeles. I eagerly look out the window, dying to see palm trees. (I've never seen a palm tree in my life. So this was a highlight for me.)

I was feeling a little antsy from sitting for so long, although I did get up a few times to walk around the jet. Although Coco and I mostly played electronic games for the majority of the flight, Dad made sure to talk with me at different times and I even played my guitar for everyone. I especially loved the proud look on Dad's face when he watched.

Since we'd left New York at a fairly early time and with the time change, it wasn't even two o'clock in the afternoon. I was dragging big time, though, wishing for a little nap.

As we exited the plane, a beautiful woman, who looked about thirty or so, approached us. She had long dark hair and eyes and was wearing black trousers with a red blouse, carrying a clipboard and a cell phone.

"Knox, I'm pleased to see you made it! And you actually look well rested, instead of shit faced."

Dad rolls his eyes and turns to me, as if to say, "Can you believe her?"

"Alice, I'd like to introduce you to my baby girl, Rory. She'll be touring with us for a while."

Alice looks me up and down, her facial expression completely neutral. I start to feel nervous as I automatically grab one of Dad's hands.

"She has your eyes," Alice says crisply. I guess I should take that as an compliment.

"She's beautiful, that's for sure!" Dad grins, hugging me against his side. Normally I'd be embarrassed beyond belief, but right now, I was just happy to be close to my father.

"I didn't come here to discuss how beautiful your daughter is, Knox. We have a schedule to stick to. So off we go, people!"

Alice turns on her heel, power walking towards a big, white SUV, gesturing for everyone to follow. Dad helps me with my luggage and off we go, following Alice.

We quickly get stuff loaded up and climb into the back, getting settled before Alice takes off.

"I'll take you to the hotel now, then we'll need to get to the arena so you can do sound check and make sure everything is to your liking."

"I better have my own dressing room!" Levi pipes up, grinning wickedly and causing my dad and the other guys to crack up.

"You're such a damn diva!" Dad speaks up, shaking his head and winking at me, like we're sharing some private joke. I manage a tiny, forced smile.

"And why shouldn't I be?" Levi tips his head up, nose in the air. "I'm a damn good drummer!"

"Roger Taylor, you're not," Adrian jokes.

"Says who, asshole?" Levi challenges him, pretending to look angry.

"Me, asshole." Dad clears his throat, giving both Adrian and Levi a Look.

"Watch your language around Rory, please."

"Oh so because she's here, we have to start behaving in a civilized manner?" Adrian raises his eyebrows, feigning shock.

"That's right. At least when she's with me. If you two idiots want to continue with your shit away from my daughter, I couldn't care less. But when she's in our company, let's watch it, huh?"

"Wow, Knox." Alice glances at Dad in the rear view mirror, looking impressed by his speech.

"Being a dad is important to you?"

"Being a dad has always been important to me, Alice." I smile and Dad gently places his arm around me, as I tuck my head against his side.

"You've certainly impressed me," Alice says, smiling a little and her face losing the strict headmistress stare.

"Guess I misjudged you. You're a natural." Dad smiles tenderly at me and I forget about everything and everyone else. For a moment, it's only him and me.

"Damn right I am."

***

Once Alice gets us settled. (I discover she's Dad's manager. No wonder she was giving me such nasty looks.), we head to the arena so Dad and his band mates (and Coco) can prepare for this evening's concert.

I sit in the front row, watching as Dad stands and performs a song, the passion on his face so powerful that I get tears in my eyes. When Dad finishes, he calls me up on the stage, asking if I'll sing with him.

"You..you want me to do that?" My heart is pounding as I slowly climb the steps leading up to the stage. I'm shaking as I step on to it and as soon as I turn around, I nearly faint.

"Come here, doll." Dad has his arm stretched out, beckoning me closer. I wobble over to him, my senses overwhelmed from just standing here. How does Dad do this everyday? It's mind boggling.

I feel a little less shaky when I'm close to Dad and he looks over at the others, a mischievous glint in his eyes, like he has a secret he wants to share.

"I've been working on a new song, baby girl," Dad says, smiling bashfully.

"Cool," I say.

"All right, boys! And a one and a two and a three!" The guys start playing their instruments and Dad leans closer to the mic and begins to sing.

"I know a girl, a beautiful girl. She's sun and she's rain. She's my everything."

They continue to play and I loosen up, tapping my foot in time to the music, grinning at Dad, waiting for him to continue.

"Her name is Rory! And she's so fine and she's all mine! Yeah Rory!"

My eyes nearly pop out of my skull as my mouth drops open as I'm staring in shock at my father, who looks so proud of himself.

"It's in the beginning stages. What do you think? Is it too tacky?"

"No way!" I say. "It's perfect." Dad laughs with delight.

"I'm pleased you approve. I'm planning on playing it for the first time while on this tour. Then we'll record it and release it as a single."

"Brilliant! Thanks, Dad." I hug him, burying my face against his chest and feeling such a swell of love towards him.

"Anything for my baby," Dad murmurs against my hair.

***

I'm blown away by Coco as well when she gets her turn for sound check. She's crazy talented and I'm completely in awe of her.

I notice how she keeps stealing glances of me, while she's on stage, although she's trying to be cool about it. It makes my heart race and I know I have a crush on her.

When we all finish, Alice gives my dad, his band mates and Coco a strict warning to be here at least forty minutes before the concert begins. I wonder if maybe it's happened one too many times or if Alice is just that uptight about shit.

We all head for the hotel, to grab a meal before we have to be back at the arena in an hour and a half. I walk beside Coco, wanting to compliment her on her singing skills.

"You're amazing," I say quietly. Coco grins, slinging her arm around me. I start to tremble just a little and I hope Coco won't misinterpret it.

"Thanks. But I've had to work hard to get where I am today. It's my dream, but as with anything, dreams come with a price."

I'm curious about that remark but decide to wait to ask Coco about it after we've known each other a little longer.

"At least you're living out your dream," I say. "You should be proud of how far you've come."

"I am proud of how far I've come," Coco says softly. "I never thought I'd end up touring with Aserol. Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps."

She removes her arm from me and I come crashing down to earth. God, just being close to Coco is a thrill. I feel like I've just gotten off a roller coaster.

"You earned it," I say. "You're lucky, too, that you're touring with my dad. I'd give my right arm to do the same."

"You're here now, Rory. Be grateful for this opportunity."

"I'm trying to be." I look over at Dad, who's joking around with Finn about his guitar playing skills.

"I know it's not really my place," Coco says quietly. "I don't know your dad all that well, but I can tell how much he loves and cares about you."

I nod, figuring it's a waste of time to explain to Coco how he just left me one day. Like I never really mattered all that much to him. I'd always thought if Dad really loved me, he would have fought harder to see me, that he would have never allowed Mum to keep him away.

Maybe I'd never been fair to him. Maybe I shouldn't have written him off so easily. Maybe I could have tried harder to stay connected with him. But when you're just a little kid, all you see is the absence and think that maybe you were the one who caused it.

***

Concert time! I'm a wreck! I don't see how everyone can be so freaking calm at a time like this! Especially Coco, since this is her first time going on tour and singing in front of thousands of people.

I'm back stage, wringing my hands and pacing around, while Dad tries to soothe my frayed nerves. He does something really surprising and takes me off to a corner, away from everybody else and just gives me a comforting hug as I cling to him.

"I know things got off to a rocky start, Rory. But regardless of what you think, I do want you here. And I couldn't be happier."

I pull away, gazing at my dad. It feels like it's been a hundred years since we've been together like this and I'm scared if I don't cling to it with both hands, it'll float away forever.

"Thanks, Dad," I whisper. "Now get your ass out there and blow everyone away."

***

The concert is brilliant! I feel so happy sharing in this monumental moment with him. Since I'm the daughter of the big rock star, I get to watch the show from back stage. Which is kind of cool, but I almost wish I was out in the audience, enjoying the concert like a regular person.

As I listen to first, Coco sing, my body swaying in time to the music, my eyes closed, the rhythm seeping into my soul, and finally my dad, it's almost like an out of body experience. I know that probably sounds strange but it's how it seems.

I adore seeing the passion on Dad's face. I can easily see how much his music and performing means to him.

Does it mean more to him than me? Is that why he left me? Or is there more to the story that nobody has shared with me? Why won't anyone tell me what happened?

Dad and his band are finishing up with their last song and as soon as the last notes fade away, the applause and cheers are deafening. Once I hear the noise from that, I'm happy just to be back stage, clapping until my hands hurt and my face goes numb from smiling so hard.

Dad is grinning and shouting praise at the audience as the thunderous applause drowns out his words. I feel something wet on my face and realize I'm crying tears of joy. I'm so proud of my dad right now.

Once the applause dies down, Dad announces he has a surprise for everyone. He quickly hurries back stage to where I'm standing and takes my hand, looking into my eyes.

"Would you like to come out front with me? If not, it's fine."

I nod dumbly, allowing Dad to lead me out front, clinging desperately to his hands, feeling like I'll float away if I don't hold tightly enough.

Dad is smiling as he introduces me to the massive audience, explaining that I'm joining him for several weeks.

"One more important bit of information, peeps," Dad says. "My daughter has inspired me to write a song about her. The boys and I will be recording it shortly and plan on releasing it as single! So be on the lookout!"

The deafening sounds return and I'm aching to get back stage and away from all this attention and awkwardness.

The band bids the audience a good night(it's nearly midnight!) and I walk off the stage, my hand still firmly in Dad's, happy to be here with him.

***

I can't sleep. I suppose it's because of the adrenaline rush that I picked up from attending the concert. I toss and turn, looking at the clock on the night stand and wonder if Dad's asleep.

As if he could sense I needed him, there's a faint knock on my hotel room door and Dad's voice is softly calling out to me.

I hurry to the door and fling it open, launching myself at him, nearly knocking him on his ass. His arms come up around me as I nestle against his chest.

"Couldn't sleep, Aurora Daphne?" Dad murmurs. I shake my head, eyes squinched shut, just breathing in his scent. Nicotine mixed with spice and mint.

"Come on. Back into the bed. I'll sing to you." I reluctantly release him, trudging back to the bed and climbing in. Dad leans over, helping get me settled and adjusting the blankets before settling on the edge of the bed.

I lie there, watching my dad's every move. I suddenly notice how he's dressed. A plain white tshirt, with a cream colored cardigan and some old tan colored trousers. He seems more like a dad dressed that way than a famous rock star.

"Aren't you supposed to resting your voice?" I ask, reaching for his hand. Dad chuckles.

"Probably. But I doubt singing a little to my baby is going to wreck me." Dad begins to sing and I close my eyes. Within minutes, I've drifted off to sleep.

When I awaken the following morning, Dad is still in the bed with me, scooted to the edge, wrapped in a single blanket, snoring softly.

I just smile. Maybe Dad isn't the "ideal" father as Mum thinks. But he definitely trying his hardest and I love him for it.

Chapter 4

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