I hated dealing with drunken girls and I tried to steer clear of it the best I could. Sure, I went to parties and they were around, but I never dealt with them sober. I needed a few more drinks in me before I could handle situations like this, especially crying. Shit, I hated when chicks cried. But being around a whimpering Daisy was different. I didn’t want to run for the hills at the sight of her tears, I wanted to stop them. I wanted to erase all the bad shit that was running through her head.
"Daisy," I whispered, leaning down to wipe away the hot tears with my index finger. My teeth grinded against each other at her words, assuming Piper was better than her. "Piper's beauty is nothing compared to yours. You hear me?" My hand grabbed her jaw and I stroked the soft skin covering her high cheekbones. "You have real fucking beauty that daddy can't put on his credit card. You are one of those most beautiful girls I have ever laid eyes on." I wasn't bullshitting her either. It was true. Even with her red, puffy eyes and mascara running down her face, she still looked gorgeous.
My mind went back to the night I first saw her staring at me from the balcony. I was so intrigued with who those dark eyes belonged to. That's why I stopped and talked to Tommy the next morning, I needed to catch a glimpse of her again.
She hiccupped. "I try to do what everyone says." She dragged out a deep breath. "You've got to keep living your life, Daisy. He's not coming back," she babbled, in a mocking tone. "How can I live my life without him?" Without thinking, I laced her hand in mine and ran my thumb over the top. My mom used to do that for me when I was younger and upset. I remembered how much it would soothe me. Her breathing was still rapid but I could sense it starting to slow down.
Using my other hand, I moved the beer damp hair away from her face and behind her ear. "Do you want some more water?" I asked, but before she could answer my question, my phone vibrated in my pocket. Digging it out, I found Lane's name flashing across the screen. Thank god, I needed some backup.
"Dude, where the fuck are you?" His voice yelled over the music. He must have been downstairs.
"Spare bedroom. Meet me up here and bring your girlfriend," I said, trying my best to mask my anger so I didn't upset Daisy. I continued to stroke her hand and the whimpers subsided. The room was silent, except our breathing when the door flew open, causing us both to jump.
Cora took one look at Daisy's blotchy face and wet clothes before turning her snarling scowl my way. "What the hell?"
Daisy tucked her legs into her stomach, forming a ball with her limbs. "Yeah Cora, what the hell?" I yelled, repeating her own words. "I found her up here roaming around, drunk off her ass like a damn rat caught in a maze. Oh, and she almost fell down the stairs." Cora winced at my angry words. "Why the fuck weren't you or Gabby with her?" My body heated just thinking of what would have happened if someone else found her.
Cora opened her mouth ready to spew out whatever bullshit excuse she had but Daisy beat her to it. "Please don't fight. I was just going to the bathroom but now I just want to go home," she said, trying to make her voice sound controlled. Her shaky hands bent down on the bed and she tried to push her body up to stand. Giving Cora a sharp look, I spun around to help Daisy get on her feet.
"I'll take her home," Cora said, stomping up to us and trying to grab her from my hands. She failed as I moved Daisy behind my body. "Or she can stay at my house since that's where she told her aunt she was staying."
"No," she demanded. "I want to go home."
"We're neighbors, Cor. I've got this," I demanded, collecting Daisy in my arms. Cora's cold stare deadpanned on me. She didn't trust me with Daisy which was bullshit because it if wasn't for me who knows where the fuck her friend would be right now. Stretching across the bed, I grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around Daisy’s body.
"Keegan, don't try any shit with her," Cora warned, standing in front of me with her bony finger in my face. I wanted to lean forward and bite it right off her hand.
"You would really try to accuse me of that shit? What the fuck?" My anger elevated. She must be drunk if she thought I needed to get chicks wasted so I could hook up with them. I would never pull that shit. I only fucked willing and coherent girls.
"Babe, damn. Chill out," Lane advised, clutching her around the waist and moving her away from me. His face turned serious. "Dude, you know Piper is going to freak the fuck out if she sees you leaving with her."
"Do you think I could give two shits about how Piper feels?" I bit out.
"Nooo," he drawled out. "But Daisy might when Piper pulls out her demoness bitch wrath on her." Shit. He had a point. "And you know she will." He added, to further prove his point.
"I'll deal with Piper." I was going to make damn sure Piper didn't fuck with Daisy. "Let's just get her to the garage without anyone seeing us."
"I'll call Gaby and tell her to start distracting," Cora added. Her hands snaked into Lane's pocket, fishing out his phone.