There’s a pause. Then, in a voice edged with something sharp, something that makes my stomach twist, when she says, “Deliah, sweetheart… it’s your father.”
Dread slams into me. “What’s wrong?” I sit up straighter.
She exhales shakily. “He’s been taken to the hospital. They think it’s a heart attack.” Her voice wavers before breaking completely. “Darling, he’s been so stressed about you lately, and I think… I think it’s finally taken its toll.” Her quiet sobs crack through the receiver, and guilt crashes into me like a tidal wave.
That’s one way to make me feel like absolute shit.
My chest tightens, constricting, squeezing until it feels like there’s nothing left inside me. I realize I’m not breathing and suck in a sharp gulp of air, my pulse pounding in my ears.
Colt looks at me with creased brows, and he starts to rub my back.
“Will he be okay?” My voice trembles as tears spill down my cheeks, the weight of guilt crashing down on me like a tidal wave.
Ishouldbe there.
Ishouldhave been there all along.
This wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t left.
DidIcause this?
“I don’t know, darling. I’m on my way to the hospital now. Deliah, you should come home. He would want you here.”
Colt takes the phone from me, and I start to cry. “Mrs. Norman, hi, it’s Colt. What’s going on?”
All I can think about is that my daddy is going to die, and I’m not there to say goodbye.
“Okay, we’ll take the band’s jet and meet you at the hospital.”
I look up at Colt, and he nods, reassuring me that everything will be all right. I stand as he continues to talk to my mummy and get dressed while packing—which is more like throwing things into my suitcase—because who knows how long I’ll be in London.
Will he be fine and fighting fit in a month or so?
Or will I stay and arrange his funeral?
A wave of nausea hits me hard as I steady myself against the countertop. Hot tears pool at my chin as I’m momentarily struck with a fear I’ve never felt before.
Colt’s arms wrap around my waist from behind, comforting me. I lean back into his chest, and he holds on to me tightly. I didn’t even hear him end the call.
“Don’t worry, baby, everything will be okay. I promise,” he says, kissing my neck.
I calm my breathing, and he turns me to face him.
“How do you know everything will be okay? Don’t make promises you can’t keep,” I snap, and he flinches.
“Okay, I’ll let that slide because you’re upset, but don’t talk to me like that again. Especially when I’m only trying to help you.”
“Help me? If it weren’t for you, I’d be with my father right now, and this would never have happened,” I say, slamming my suitcase shut.
“I get it… you’re looking for someone to blame. But this isnotmy fault. It’s no one’s fault, baby. Just stop and talk to me.”
“Colt, I can’t do this right now. Daddy needs me. I have to go.”
“Hang on a minute, let me pack, and I’ll come with you,” he says, throwing things into his suitcase. I rest my hand on his arm, effectively stopping him. He blinks, his expression shifting—uncertainty clouding his usually confident gaze.
“Colt, you can’t come with me. Daddy had a heart attack because he was stressed about us. Seeing you could hurt him more if he’s not gone already,” I say.
“Dee, I should be there with you for support.”
