Chapter Nineteen #2
“Daddy, I am not talking 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 our wayward 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 a slurry?” 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 much your daughter. 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 he really make you happy? Does this life you’re living really make you happy?
Can you really enjoy being photographed and followed everywhere?
Are you really enjoying having all these people and tabloids write horrible, despicable things about you all the time?
How can you really be 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’m not happy, 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 judge a 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 your goddamn 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.
“You calm down,” I exclaim, not making any damn sense.
Colt chuckles, and I glare at him.
He stops laughing and pulls me into an embrace. “Dee, he’s worried about you.”
I scoff. “Ha! Don’t you defend him! Why are you taking his side?”
Colt rests his forehead against mine and looks into my eyes.
“I’m not defending him. He has no right to say the shit he says about me, but don’t let your father get to you.
We’ll take a trip out there on break, and I’ll be on my best behavior.
Once he gets to know me, he’ll change his mind.
Everyone loves me, so I can’t see it being an issue. ”
“Arrogant much!” I laugh. “But yeah, I guess you’re right.”
He leans down and kisses me gently. “Oh, and great cover-up with the whole pregnancy thing. Good save,” he jokes with a slight chuckle.
I smile up at him, and he leans in, kissing the tip of my nose.
If Daddy’s call has proved anything, it’s that I have been under a high level of stress. This lifestyle is taking a toll on me and my body.
I look Colt in the eyes and say, “I guess this lifestyle has been a huge change, and my body is reacting. But Colt, if I don’t get my period soon, I will have to visit the doctor to be sure nothing’s wrong.”
“It’s okay, baby. It’ll work out,” he says, kissing my forehead.
***
Despite the drama in Melbourne, the band continued with the remaining concerts before we could return to England for the Loaded and Live World Tour’s mid-break—a break I am more than ready for.
The guys will use the month off to record “Until the End of Time” in the recording studio. Rob thinks the song could be a huge success and help boost publicity for the rest of the Loaded and Live World Tour, and he’s pushing to release it as soon as possible.
We’re on the jet flying from Adelaide to London, where I will be staying at Colt and Huxley’s condo because I obviously don’t have a home to go back to. It’ll be weird sleeping in a house rather than a hotel room. Weird, but in a really good way.
I’m a little sleepy from the tablet Tamara gave me as Colt sits beside me in our usual seats on the jet.
He’s humming and writing lyrics on his little notepad that he carries everywhere.
The sound of Colt humming always calms my nerves, even when he doesn’t intend to, so I close my eyes and relax in the soft chair.
His touch is soothing as his fingers gently stroke my face. When I open my eyes, Colt is peering down at me with a smile. “Sorry to wake you, but we’re here, baby. I can carry you to the car if you’re still sleepy?” he says softly.
“Thanks, but I’m okay,” I reply, bringing my chair upright and looking around the empty jet. “Where is everyone?”
“They disembarked after we landed,” Colt says, taking my hands and pulling me from the seat.
“Oh, okay,” I reply.
After a long flight from Adelaide to London, Colt wraps his arm around my waist, guiding me toward the exit. We descend the aircraft stairs onto the tarmac, where a sleek car awaits. Colt opens the door, and I slide into the plush interior, with him following close behind.
As we drive through the familiar streets of London, a sense of excitement mingles with my undeniable fatigue. It’s been months since I was last home, and the city’s charm feels both comforting and invigorating.
We arrive at a quaint condo whose exterior exudes a cozy charm.
Colt’s carefree smile is always on display and reassures me as we approach the front door.
Inside, the space is more compact than I anticipated, yet it perfectly reflects Colt’s style.
The masculine décor is complemented by band photographs adorning the walls and guitars resting in every corner, creating an intimate and personal atmosphere.
The weather in London is brisk under clear skies. Despite the chill, the warmth of being back home and Colt’s presence make everything feel just right.
“This will be home for the next month. I know it’s small, but my room is the bigger of the two, so your stuff can fit in there easily,” Colt tells me.
Hux walks past us and into the living room to the left. He jumps over the back of the sofa and falls onto the cushions, stretching out and relaxing.
I giggle while Colt rolls his eyes.
“One thing about Hux, he loves that lounge, so I doubt we’ll ever have access to it while he’s here,” Colt says, walking me to the staircase.
“At the top of the stairs to the left is our room, in the middle is the bathroom, and to the right is Hux’s room,” Colt explains, looking at me intently.
So, I’ll be sharing a bathroom with Colt’s brother. I’ll have to remember to lock the door when I’m in there.
He leads me into his bedroom and opens the door to a massive king-sized bed draped in black silk.
Above the bed is shelving with the most charming miniature instruments I have ever seen.
They’re lifelike and cute. There’s a desk with a computer and a spacious walk-in closet that’s only about a third full, which makes me giggle.
Colt looks at me and shrugs. “Guess there’s more room in there for you than I thought,” he says with a smirk.
I lean up to kiss his cheek. Then he leads me over to the bed, where we lie down, cuddling into each other as jet lag sets in.