I've been thinking," Dad announces at breakfast one morning. It's just him and me again and I don't want to sound selfish but I really like having Dad all to myself once in a while. It's calming to me. Plus I feel like we have some lost time to make up for.

"About?" I ask, reaching for my glass of orange juice and taking a sip.

"Do you remember when I asked you if I had any siblings?" I nod, replacing my glass on the table.

"Well, we'll be in Texas shortly and I'm planning on contacting my sister. I was curious if you'd be interested in meeting up with them? You don't have to, of course. It's just a suggestion."

I think on that for a few seconds before replying. It might be kinda nice meeting some new family members. However I'm a little worried about what they'll think of me.

"Can I think about it for a while?" I finally ask. Dad nods, reaching for his mug of hot coffee and taking a long sip.

"Absolutely. If you're uncomfortable with the idea, we won't do it."

"Do they know much about me?" I ask, scooping up some scrambled eggs on to my fork and taking a bite.

"You've actually met my sister before, years ago. You were about two or three so of course you wouldn't remember her. She asks about you now and again if I contact her."

"What's she like?"

"The opposite of me," Dad says with a laugh. "She's very responsible and wouldn't dream of traveling around the world just for a career. But luckily she has a good sense of humor and she does know how to have a good time."

"What's her name?" I ask. "And how much older is she than you?"

Dad smiles mysteriously and I think he knows how curious I am about my auntie that I don't remember.

"Her name is Daphne. And she's two years older than me. She's a lawyer, actually and a damn good one at that. You're actually quite a lot like her."

"So I have part of her name?" I grin. "How did you manage that one with Mum?"

"Easy," Dad repiles. "She picked your first name, I picked your middle name."

"Cool. I..I think I might like to meet Auntie Daphne." Dad grins.

"I'll let you think it over a bit longer. In case you change your mind."

"Thanks, Dad. I appreciate it."

"Any time, doll."

***

I'm working on my song again. I've holed up in the hotel bedroom, trying to get the melody just right. It's not going as well as I'd like. I sigh, setting my guitar aside and reaching for the pad of paper and my pen, scribbling down a few lyrics and then scribbling them out.

There's a knock at the door and I nearly panic, shoving the pad and pen beneath the blankets before calling out for whoever it is to enter. The door opens. It's Coco. I breathe a sigh of relief.

"Hey." Coco comes over, sitting down on the edge of the bed. I smile.

"Hey. What have you been up to?" I ask, crawling over to where Coco is seated.

"Just preparing for this evening's concert. You?" I fiddle with the blanket, debating rather I want to share my secret with Coco.

"If you don't want to say, it's cool," Coco adds. I smile, my face warm. I touch her fingers with mine.

"I'm working on a...song," I confess. "Please don't mention anything to my dad, okay? I want to surprise him."

"Cross my heart." Coco makes an "X" motion over her chest, smiling. "I won't say a word."

"Thanks."

"Can I hear it?" Coco grins.

"I'm, erm well it's not finished yet. Sorry."

"You don't have to apologize," Coco says, giving my fingers a gentle squeeze. I lean in, gently kissing her.

"Must you do that?" Coco teases and I laugh.

"I can't help it. You just have very kissable lips." Coco's cheeks go pink as she chuckles, returning the kiss.

"I could say the same thing about yours, Rory." Now I'm blushing.

"Uh, thanks." We sit there, smiling at each other when we suddenly hear raised voices coming from the room on the other side of mine and Dad's.

"I've had it! Knox is such a glory hound!" My eyes are wide as I look at Coco. She looks just as appalled. We quickly get up from the bed, creeping closer to the wall, ears pressed to it, listening.

"And just how are we supposed to just bump him out?" It was Adrian and Levi talking. I couldn't believe what I'm hearing! My dad's supposed loyal band mates are trying to get rid of him!

"Easy. We just get him to do some more drugs. Knox never says no to that. Especially the good stuff."

"I don't think he'll go for it." Levi says doubtfully. "Ever since his daughter started hanging out with us, Knox has turned into a real party pooper."

"Tell me about it. I knew it was a bad idea having the kid along. We can't do anything fun anymore."

"No shit. Anytime I ask Knox about doing something good, he just ignores me. It's really starting to piss me off."

I feel Coco's hand on my shoulder and I turn to look at her. I don't know what my face looks like, but Coco looks pissed and worried. I suppose I look the same.

"We have to do something," I hiss at Coco. She nods, a faraway look in her dark eyes. I can just bet she's working on a plan.

"We need to warn your dad." I immediately shake my head. That's the last thing we need. What we need to do is expose these assholes in front of dad. That way they can't weasel their way out of it so easily.

"I have a better idea," Levi says. I get a very bad feeling in my gut. "Let's just get Knox alone, away from the kid. That way it'll be easier. If the kid is close by, he'll never agree to it."

"I second that," Adrian says. "We'll ask him to come out just before the concert. That way, he'll be so freaking wasted, he won't remember shit!"

I put a fist to my mouth. It's taking everything in me to not burst into the next room and grab those assholes by the arms, giving them a good shake. What's their problem? Is it really because of me? Or is it simply because Dad isn't so willing to partake in their unholy shanigans? Or maybe they're just sick of being dad's backup crew and they want more of glory themselves?

Isn't that what they just said? That Dad was a glory hound? If they don't like it being the backup crew then they maybe they should just leave Dad alone.

The voices drift away as Levi and Adrian leave the room. I whirl to face Coco who looks more worried than upset now. That's fine because I think I'm pissed off enough for both of us.

"What are we going to do?" I exclaim.

"I don't know. But I still think we should warn your dad. Before he really ends up in deep shit."

***

The concert is about to begin. Luckily Dad hadn't gone anywhere with those loser band mates of his. I was relieved to see that Dad just decided to stick around the hotel with me and Coco.

I'd desperately wanted to say something to him about it but I was also a little concerned that Dad might decide to confront Levi and Adrian and I didn't want anything to mess up his performance for the concert this evening.

I'd been a little...clingy towards Dad after we arrived at the arena, rarely straying from his side, other than when Dad had to change his clothing.

"You doing all right, doll?" I'm holding Dad's hand, feeling like a four year old kid about ready to attend school for the first time. I pasted a smile on my face, pulling my hand free and giving Dad a big hug. His arms automatically wrap around me.

"I'm great, Dad. I'm just nervous for you," I reply moving back, trying to put some distance between us.

"I'll be just fine, Rory. You don't need to worry about me." He kisses the top of my head and straightens up, adjusting his shirt and smiling at me.

"Of course you will be, Dad. Knock'em dead!" Dad laughs.

"I will, doll. Thanks."

***

I'm half asleep as Dad, Coco and I are riding back to the hotel after the concert. It was amazing, as always and I'm leaning into Coco's side, her arm draped over my shoulders. The car reaches the hotel and we tumble out, heading inside. I yawn as Dad helps guide me inside.

"Just a few more minutes, doll. Then you'll be snug in your bed, dreaming away."

"Thanks, Dad. You too, Coco." Coco gives my hand a gentle squeeze.

"No problem." We reach our room quickly and Dad helps me inside, telling me goodnight.

"Goodnight, Dad. I love you."

"Goodnight, Aurora Daphne," Dad murmurs softly. "I love you, too."

Dad leaves the room and Coco makes sure I get into my bed. I'm practically asleep already. That's how exhausted I am. Coco leans down, giving me a gentle kiss.

"I'm gonna get to bed myself, Rory. Goodnight. Sweet dreams."

"Thanks, Coco. Same to you." Coco quietly leaves my room and within minutes, I'm sound asleep.

***

The next morning I get woken up by the sounds of people shouting at one another. I quickly get out of bed and hurry into the front room. There I discover Dad and Adrian shouting.

"If you hate being my backup so damn much, then get the hell outta here!" Dad shouts, his face red.

"Fine, asshole! I'm gone!" Adrian storms out, the door slamming behind him. I lean against the wall, shaking.

"Oh, Rory. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you." Dad comes to me.

"It's fine," I say, even though it's not.

"Can you believe that asshole?" Dad snaps. "He says he's tired of me! Well, I'm sick of him!"

"Dad, I have to tell you something. Yesterday Coco and I heard Adrian and Levi discussing how they didn't like having me around because you weren't fun anymore."

"I'm not all that surprised," Dad says, running a hand through his hair and looking defeated.

"Dad, is this going to ruin the tour?"

"I don't know," Dad repiles sounding weary. "It's a strong possibility."

Chapter 9

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