Picking up the phone, I take a deep breath, then swipe the screen and put on a happy voice. “Daddy, hi,” I say, before walking out and sitting on the edge of the bed.
Colt hesitantly sits next to me.
“Deliah Norman, are you…pregnant?” His voice rises as he talks, and all I can do is roll my eyes at his pompous attitude.
“I’m doing great, thanks, Daddy. How are you?” I answer sarcastically.
“Deliah, don’t you play games with me. Did that buffoon impregnate you?” Those words, those arrogant words, cause me to giggle, and I know it infuriates him further because his breathing is heavier, more intense.
“No, Daddy, Colt did notimpregnateme.”Who even talks like that?
There’s a sigh, the relief obvious. “Then why thehelldo you have a pregnancy test? Are you having unprotected intercourse with that boy, Deliah? I taught you better than that,” he adds with a raised voice.
“Daddy, I amnottalking to you about my sex life. And as for the test…” I decide to lie because, quite honestly, it’s easier, “… it was for one of the other girls, not that it’s any of your business.”
“Well, Deliah, you need to be more careful. Your mummy is having all sorts of problems with the ladies in town gossiping about ourwayward daughter, who is off scandalizing our good name and turning into a slurry.”
He did not just say that!
I see red.
“Did you just call me aslurry?” I yell.
Colt grabs my cell—he’s as angry as I am.
“Mr. Norman, it’s Colter Slade,” he says in an aggressive tone. “Yes, it’s me again.” There’s a pause, and I don’t know what’s being said, but Colt continues, “I can tell you now that your daughter’s anything but a slurry. How dare you call your own daughter something so vile? Do you believe everything the tabloids say?” There’s another pause. “You do? I thought you’d be a smarter man than that?” Colt’s eyes burn with rage.
“Honestly, don’t give a flying fuck about your opinion of me, sir. But I do care about Dee a great deal, more than you realize, and I’m not corrupting her or turning her into something she’s not. She’s still very muchyourdaughter. She loves you, and that’ll never change. But Mr. Norman, if you love her as much as you say you do, maybe you should stop worrying about your image and start worrying about your daughter’s happiness. Because,sir,” The sarcasm is dripping from his words. “She makes me ridiculously happy.”
Colt’s words send a rush of joy through me, and I know I’m wearing a goofy grin.
He nods, handing me my cell, and I look at him, confused.
“Hello?”
“Deliah, look…” Daddy’s voice is tight, clipped, each word laced with barely restrained frustration. I hear it in the sharp exhale, the slight edge to his tone, the way he pauses like he’s reining himself in. “I know you care for him, and I think he might actually care for you too. But what I want to know is…” he pauses, then continues, “… does hereallymake you happy? Does this life you’re livingreallymake you happy? Can youreallyenjoy being photographed and followed everywhere? Are youreallyenjoying having all these people and tabloids write horrible, despicable things about you all the time? How can youreallybe enjoying that?” Daddy questions calmly.
I exhale, and Colt takes my hand. “Daddy, the tabloids are arseholes, yes. The fans can be evil, yes. And life on tour isn’t always glamorous. But Daddy, you have to learn to ignore the press. Ninety-nine-point-nine percent of what they say is rubbish. Please don’t believe anything you hear unless it’s directly from me. And to answer your question, does Colt make me happy? He makes me extremely happy, Daddy. I love him, and I’m staying here, with your blessing or not. The tour goes on break soon, so we’ll fly back home and come to see you. I know you miss me and you’re worried about me, but honestly, there’s no need. I’m fine, Colt’s fine, and he’s looking after me well.”
This time, when Daddy exhales, I can tell I’ve caught him off guard. “Jesus, Deliah, you love him?” he asks, his voice taut with emotion.
“I do, Daddy, very much.”
“I’mnothappy, Deliah. This will end up with you being heartbroken. I’ll have to pick up the mess you’ll be in when he cheats on you with some slurry or ends up going to rehab or—”
I cut him off, “That won’t happen, Daddy. It’s not him. Remember that saying you always used to tell me,‘Never judgea book by its cover?’Well, how about you not judging Colt before you even meet him? Goddammit! Your words are so… so…infuriating.”
“Deliah!Do not speak the Lord’s name in vain. I only want what’s best for you. And I know it’s here in London with Joseph—”
“What,and I can’t stress this enough,the fuck, Daddy. I told you, I’m not going back to Joseph. That ship has sailed. So will you get that ridiculous idea out of yourgoddamn stubborn head?” I scream, completely enraged.
“Deliah Norman, watch your mouth, young lady. This is exactly what I’m talking about. He’s been nothing but a bad influence—”
I end the call mid-sentence, stand, and throw my cell onto the mattress.
“Urgh! Why does that man have to be such an arrogant jerk?” I start pacing the floor, grabbing a handful of my hair in frustration.
“Baby, calm down,” Colt says, standing and taking hold of my hands.
