Ace Huxley's Daughter

21

"Who are you dressing up for?"

"None of your business." I grunted, pulling my boots on, and tying them tightly. "I can't believe you've just sat there whilst I got ready."

"Your dad asked me to make sure you were okay and still coming."

"I'm fine."

"Mhm." I looked around, tapped my pockets to make sure I had everything I needed and brought my eyes back to him. "You coming back to get changed for tonight or are you wearing that?"

"I'll probably change. I don't know. I'll ask Han later."

"Why Han?" I sighed. "You know I can advise on what to wear Pops." He stood up, walking across the room slowly. "If it was up to me I'd ask you to stay in this."

"Blake."

"You look hot Pops."

"Blake." I tilted my head. "You need to stop. I'm standing by what I said yesterday and whilst I'm at it. I need to give you your clothes back."

"What? Why? You love wearing my clo-"

"It's not right anymore Blake. When you get another girl, how is she going to feel about me wearing your shit?"

"I'm not-"

"Blake." I shoved his hoodies and shirt into his arms, pulling the door open and gesturing for him to leave. "We're not happening."

"Why the hell not?" I rubbed my head, pulling my door locked and walking down to the lift so I could meet dad. "Callie."

"There's someone else Blake. Someone without the complications of us being friends so when I go home, it won't be weird if we never speak again. We've decided neither of us are seeing-"

"Wait are you talking about Emerson Monroe?" I pressed the button as he opened his door, throwing the clothes inside before running down to me. "You cannot be serious."

"It's none of your business if I'm serious or not Blake."

"Oh my god you are." He scowled, shaking his head as he got in the lift with me, hitting the bottom floor. "He's literally been sleeping with Vanessa from PR for 7 months Pops. He broke it off with her because else wanted to be exclusive literally less than 24 hours ago."

"You don't know the full story." I rolled my eyes.

"Oh no? Enlighten me then Olive because right now you're sleeping with a guy who's taken."

"You are such an ass Blake."

"No, I'm not. I'm looking out for you. He uses girls Pops."

"This coming from new girl every night?" He stared. "Yeah. I heard about it Blake. At least Emerson has been sleeping with one girl for the past 7 months. They weren't together. They were barely friends. It was just sex, she got feelings he didn't want anything more. That's not his problem, not my problem, not her problem. No one is at fault."

"I was waiting for you Callie." I rolled my eyes and groaned, lift doors pinging open. "You know too damn well there's something between us. And you're just going to sleep with the first guy you see? I'm right here. You felt it when I kissed you in the car."

"No Blake. There isn't. We're friends. Nothing more. The thing in your van shouldn't have happened. I'm seeing Emerson, not you. Get over it." I walked out, shaking my hair loose as I moved over to my dad, stood waiting in the doorway.

I hate having to be so blunt with Blake but I fear if I wasn't he wouldn't get it. I needed to be very direct on the fact it wasn't going to happen. I wasn't going to risk losing him over a one-night stand. It was too complicated, too many factors. But with Sonny there wasn't. I could never see him again if things went south and I could do it very easily. There was no risk of it sticking to me if it ended badly. There was with Blake. I'd be covered in it forever. It'd be awkward with Dad and Nig and the band. He's too high up in their team. I'd never be able to come see them play again. No family gatherings with them. No. This was for the best.

"Hi Sweetheart. Well, aren't you dressed up?"

"Well, first time out as Ace Huxley's daughter. Thought I'd give mum a heart attack if this makes it to the paper."

"A heart attack? Pops. This might kill her."

"Eh, would make my life easier." He shook his head. "I don't mean that. Obviously."

"I know you didn't." He pulled me under his arm quickly. "So, this guy in your room."

"Dad, don't." I chuckled, pushing myself out from under him.

"I need a name to call him. I can't keep referring to him as the tech guy who claimed to be me or the guy my daughter slept with but not in the past 24 hours." Lol. Can't use that.

"Call him Bubbles."

"Bubbles? The hell kind of name is that? Oh no. Is it one of the quiet guys with the glasses?"

"Dad." I laughed at him, pulling my sunglasses over my eyes as the cameras started taking photographs. I was used to them. I'd had them a lot. I just normally was covered or in a car out of sight or had dad's men around me. "It's a sarcastic nickname. He wasn't exactly friendly when I met him."

"Ah so you're taking the piss."

"Yes."

"Got it. Is he working now?"

"Left an hour ago."

"Lighting then?"

"Yeah." Dad nodded. Probably running through the guys in his head evaluating if any of them weren't what he'd picture me with.

"Hm. Can't say any of them stick out."

"He's been kind of with one of the PR girls since tour started. Not together or anything but they ended it yesterday." Dad raised an eyebrow. "We're going out tonight so I won't see you on."

"He's what you want?"

"He's a good option. Makes me laugh. I feel chilled out with him. He doesn't like the idea of me working for mum as much as you don't."

"Well in that case, he can stick around. Tell me about him."

"What?"

"Did you guys have fun today?"

"Yes."

"What did you-"

"Dad."

"Oh." He smirked. "Got it kid. Good for you. Were you-"

"DAD." He laughed. "My god, you are going to kill me."

"I'm just saying, if this Bubbles was sleeping with a PR girl and then you, you need to be extra careful." I want to jump off a bridge. I could just saunter up to one, push a few brick in my pocket and jump. "Plus, I'm too young to be a grandad."

"You're nearly 43."

"Yes, exactly. I was a young parent Pops. As much as I love you, I'd have loved to have been young a little longer before I had a kid to care for. Raising you was the highlight of my life but I can't say I don't want you to experience everything the world has to offer before you're stuck doing 3am bottle feeds and nappy changes or school runs."

"I'm on contraception Dad. You don't need to worry about it. At all. I swear."

"Phew." He swiped his forehead dramatically. "So. Bubbles-"

"You are not going to drop it are you?"

"Hmm. Options are this or the lawyer's office."

"Fine. What do you want to know about Bubbles?"