Ace Huxley's Daughter

15

3 knocks. It's always 3 and then the handle being tried. Never anymore, never any less. 1, 2, 3, handle. The door shook and I chuckled. He did it again. 1, 2, 3, handle.

"Pops?"

"I'm naked right now. Wait a sec." The handle rattled again and I shook my head. I wasn't but after spending an hour making out with him earlier and a knock on his car door from Nigel as he was taking my top off, I thought it'd be fun to tease Blake a little. The no rules thing was working in his favour. Every time he could see telling myself no, he reminded me of our agreement. No rules. Whatever we want to do. It hadn't been long honestly. We got to the car park of the next stadium, waiting for the band to check everyone in and come dish out room cards. We'd set off 3 hours before everyone else so we had some time to kill here. We started watching movies in the back of his van and it just got a little heated. Hands roaming, mouths exploring. I was a little gutted that Nig had interrupted and said dad wanted to walk me up to my room.

So, he did, showed me around, told me he was down the hall, dropped my bag on my bed and invited me to dinner with the rest of the band tonight. It was good. I'd enjoyed laughing with them properly. Blake had stuck close, hand on my knee, tracing small circles all night.

The door shook again and I genuinely laughed, sliding the chain on, and making it so only my head was visible in the gap as I opened it.

"Can I help?"

"Let me in."

"Why?"

"Because I didn't get to kiss you goodnight and I'm dying to." My cheeks started to burn. "Come on, see now you're blushing. Let me in Pops."

"Hmm. Okay, let me get my pyjamas on first." His brow furrowed and I pushed the door closed, opening it for him properly, laughing at his shock I was still dressed.

"You're a liar."

"I am." I nodded, chuckling to myself. He stepped in slowly, closing the door behind him locking it without turning at all.

"I'm pissed Nigel interrupted us earlier." In a single heartbeat, Blake had me pushed up against the wall, tugging at my jacket until it was on the floor by our feet. "Like really pissed."

"Bit dramatic. He only needed to give you your keys."

"And send you off to your dad before I could finish what we started."

"Do you think this is a good idea Blake?" He kissed my cheek, moving up to bite gently at my ear lobe.

"Callie. No rules."

"I'm not talking rules Blake. I'm talking fucking up our friendship over a craving." He lifted his head. "Over something stupid?"

"You think it's stupid?"

"I think losing my best friend because we couldn't keep it in our pants is yeah. I love you Blake. You are one of my best friends and I don't exactly have them in abundance. I don't want to lose you because we slept together once and it gets awkward." He stood back with a sigh. "See, you hate me now."

"No. Pops. I don- I don't hate you. I'm just a little surprised is all. You seemed all for it earlier."

"I was. But-"

"You've been thinking." I nodded. He breathed out a laugh, wrapping me into a tight hug, rocking me side to side. "You think way too much Pops. I don't think it would ruin anything but if you're not comfortable then that's fine."

"Thank you."

"Don't thank me Callie." He stood back, holding onto my shoulders. He tucked some hair behind my ear. "Once the stage is up tomorrow night, we're all going to head down there, play a little. You coming? Hannah should be here by then."

"Sure." I nodded quickly. "I'll come. Need me to bring anything?"

"Just you're beautiful self." He stepped back, unlocking the door and stepping out into the hall. "Text me if you need me."

"In your wildest dreams freckles. I'm having a bath and then sinking into bed with some room service ice cream and wine." He laughed, shaking his head, and turning around heading back to his room. My eyes lingered as he walked, passing Emerson in the hallway. I shot him a half-hearted smile, coming back into my room and locking the door twice.

He was always there. Somehow, always. When I got out of the bus this morning, I saw him watching. I had seen him behind us for most of the drive apart from when he pulled over and we got a good distance on him. He caught back up on the ferry though and he was there, sat in his car with one of the PR girls in his front seat passed out. Turns out I wasn't anything special to him. Not if the way this girl was dishevelled and had a hickey on her neck was anything to go by.

I don't even know why that mattered. What happened with me and him was a mistake. It shouldn't have happened. I shouldn't be sleeping with anyone whilst I'm here. Not Emerson. Not Blake. Not some random guy. No one. It was just going to lead to problems for everyone involved. It wasn't worth it. People's jobs could be put at risk. Dad's safety, my safety, my name. No. It's not worth the risk. It's 6 weeks.

1,2,3 knocks and I rolled my eyes, pushing the plug into the oval bath, leaving the water to rise slowly as I grabbed the door. I scowled slightly as I looked through the gap.

"Are you okay?"

"Me? What? Yeah I'm fine." I looked Sonny up and down slowly. "Why?"

"Just with Blake." He waved his thumb back in that direction. "Just wanted to make sure."

"I'm fine." I lowered my brow at him. "It's not your concern if I am or not though." He scratched the back of his neck. "Nice drive with the PR princess?" His eyes darted up from the floor to mine. "Lovely little mark you've left on her neck there."

"Oh, come off it, you were in his car with his hand on your thigh before I even bumped into Vanessa."

"Me and Blake have been friends since we were 6." I glared at him, watching him pale a little. "If I want to drive with one of my best friends, I'm gonna. I don't owe you anything."

"And neither do I. It didn't mean anything."

"So why are you here then?" His jaw clenched. "Because you and I both know you didn't come here to ask me if I was okay. I think you came here to see if I was alone or to see if I slept with Blake today. Which is none of your business."

"So, you did? You know he's had like 50 one-night stands on this tour alone right? You're not special to him."

"And I was special to you?" I laughed. "Sure. You literally just said it meant nothing." He knitted his eyebrows together and I scoffed. "I'm going to enjoy my night now. Go back to your little bimbo I'm sure she's somewhere waiting for you." I slammed the door, locking it and ignoring his groan, followed by another knock. I couldn't be bothered with the drama. What even was it with him? You can't say it meant nothing and then get arsey when I spent the day with another guy. It's none of his business what happened with me and Blake today. He slept with her before I even let Blake kiss me.

Me and him are nothing. There's nothing there. I don't know why he's getting all jealous.

I connected my phone to my speaker, drowning out the constant knocking as I slipped into the bathtub now filled with hot water and bubbles.

Definitely no one else. This was too messy. I can't have fun and relax if I'm watching my back for Sonny and Blake constantly. This is supposed to be me having fun, not sleeping with every guy in sight. No. It wasn't happening. Me, myself, and I were going to bond this summer. We'll bond and work out where the hell I need to be come September because Blake is right. I can't keep doing things just to keep other people happy when I'm completely depressed myself.