Ace Huxley's Daughter

7

Don't ask me how I managed to avoid Emerson for the next 3 days. I don't have a damn clue but I had. I wasn't even actively doing it. Not intentionally. If I ran into him again this tour, I had a plan. It didn't happen. End of story. It didn't. It couldn't have.

I laid back on my bed, staring at the map and tour dates pinned to the ceiling above me. Dad was driving when I was out there this morning. No idea who's turn it was next or when they were set to change but all I knew is I am not on the list of people who will be touching that steering wheel this drive. I was the bands precious princess. I didn't have to lift a finger. I will at some point. I'll pull my weight and they'll complain but I'll do it anyway.

"Are you listening Olive?" No.

"Yes mum. I hear you." Dad leaned against the door frame; arms crossed over his chest as I rubbed my forehead. "Have you spoken to him?"

"NO. I haven't spoken to him! Are you kidding Olive? Please tell me it isn't true."

"It's true mum. He wasn't a good match." I could hear her getting more worked up. "I know you liked him mum, he was sweet. I just didn't see it lasting long term." She scoffed.

"Then who do you see it lasting with? Do you want me to speak to Preston's parents? Or Teddy's?"

"God. No mum. Just leave it." She continued ranting and I sat up, dad pulling the door closed and sitting on the edge of the bed. I shifted up, putting her on loudspeaker and turning it up so he could hear her ranting.

"You need someone who is suitable for you, for the business. There's not a huge amount of options I know but he is one of them. So is Preston and Teddy and, well, to be honest, Spencer is too if you really want to push the boat out there." Like Spencer was some extra-terrestrial. He was literally the same as the others. "4 options Olive. You've got 4 really good options of men that will give you everything you need. You wouldn't need to work; they have enough money."

"I want to work mum."

"You wouldn't need to Olive! You could just-"

"Going through a tunnel!" Dad leaned over and hung up the phone, turning my phone off and tossing it across the bed. I laid back down with a huff, dad settling in beside me silently. Like that we stayed. Not a word just staring at the map, the pictures, the memories. "You know. When you turn 21 I stop paying her alimony." I sighed. I knew. "You stayed there and followed everything Cal because of that. Because that money was paying for school and the house and everything else. Well, it's nearly up. What's gonna be your excuse then?" I rubbed my forehead again.

"I can't just leave her dad."

"Why not? She got what's his face. His kids. She's not alone. It's not like when you move out you lose all contact with her."

"If I come with you, permanently, I will. She's all pissy because I'm here for not even 2 months. What am I supposed to do anyway? If I did just move into your place? How do I work, pay my way?"

"You don't need to work Callie."

"Dad." I groaned, still staring at the map. "I can't not work. I'm not turning into some spoiled brat spending daddy's money. What happens when you eventually stop this? Money dries up eventually."

"I've got money in investments that pay more than music does Callie. Money's not going anywhere. Look at me." I turned my head. "It's your choice sweetheart. But she's not the only option. You've got your room over in Notting Hill. It's always there for you. There's the art studio still not touched waiting for you. You could very much go back to school, finally get your degree in art, and go that route. Like you want to. Like you should have been able to do."

"Dad."

"No Olive. We need to have this discussion because it's not right. I kept my mouth shut because I knew why you were doing it and as much as I thought and still think it was a stupid decision, I got it. But you're older now Callie. I'm home a lot more than I was when I was younger. There is nothing stopping you from doing what's best for you rather than what you think is best for her. Those are 2 different things. You're too much like me to ever fit into your mother's world and it will break you trying to fit in a mold you don't want to be in."

"I do-"

"If you wanted to fit in that mold Callie, you would still be wearing the clothes she buys for you. You wouldn't be covered in tattoos that you know she would hate. You wouldn't smoke, you wouldn't spend all night listening to music you know she hates and disapproves of." I sighed again. "You're not your mother's daughter Olive. You're mine. You're not trust funds and champagne and pompous lawyers offices that your great great great grandad set up. You're sitting on a tour bus, singing on stage, travelling the world with your dad and his friends, counting the stars from the roof in the middle of nowhere. You're wild kid. Beautifully, crazily wild. Please don't stomp it out to impress people who would never accept that." I moved over, laying my head on his chest, wrapping my arms around him tightly. "My worst nightmare is you turning out like your mother's side of the family kid." He kissed my forehead quickly and I closed my eyes, listening to his heartbeat under my head. "What's this guy's name then? The one you broke up with."

"Conrad." He snickered.

"You're kidding? Who names their kid Conrad?" Dad was trying his best not to laugh, chest shaking under me. "Poor kid. Never had a chance."

"He's David's best friend's kid. His most riveting story was the time he was on a yacht and dropped a glass of champagne onto the deck below." That was it, dad burst into laughter. "Honestly one of the most boring people I've ever met in my life."

"You'll become one of them if you stay you know?"

"No way. I have more stories already than they will have in their whole life. I'm in the back of a tour bus with Ace Huxley. Last night, I smoked a joint with Valor. My stories will forever keep me wild dad." He sighed. "I'll think about it."

"That's all I want Callie. Just think. Don't just do it because it's easy and familiar." I nodded. "Now come on, it's coming up to dinner time and we've booked a huge campsite for everyone."