Ace Huxley's Daughter

24

Her silent cries settled as we got back to my room. I gently pulled her from me, shifting through the drawers where I'd half unpacked and grabbing her a clean tee shirt. I slowly took her shirt and bra off tugging my top over her head as she sniffled again, barely moving, staring at one spot on the floor.

"Okay, lift your hips for me beautiful."

"I'm sorry." I don't understand why she's apologizing so much. The only things coming out of her mouth are muttered apologies and the occasional sob or shaky breath. It's not her fault he touched her. He didn't have the right. It wasn't his decision to make. She told him. He fucking knew. God, if Hannah doesn't kill him, I just might.

"Nothing to be sorry about Callie." I pulled her jeans and socks off as there was knock on the door. "Okay stay here. Just because I had to climb over balconies to get to you does not mean you can do it to get away from me." That breath was almost a laugh. Almost. Not completely. But almost. I pulled the door open, giving Ace the smallest smile and taking the bag from him.

"Is she okay?" I stepped out, pulling him away from the locked open door.

"She keeps apologizing. Like it's her fault he kissed her. She told him. Hannah said she told him this morning before coming out with you." He ran a hand down his face slowly. "I know he's Nigel's stepson Ace and I know you don't really know me but her crying is the only reason he's not dead on a floor somewhere right now."

"Trust me kid. I'm in the same boat." He sighed. "I need to get down there to sort this mess out. Are you okay with her here?"

"Yeah."

"Are you sure-"

"Ace, I've got it. I swear. I've never felt what I feel for Olive about anyone else. You're my hero and I love this job. I am not stupid enough to be putting any of that at risk. No one is getting close to her as long as I can help it and I just want to hold her and make her feel better right now." He sighed again, digging in his pocket, and holding out an inhaler.

"If she cries too hard she might set off her asthma. If she starts struggling to breathe and she shakes her head at you because she can't breathe. 2 puffs. 30 seconds another 2."

"2 puffs, 30 seconds, and another 2."

"3 times. If she's still no good, keep going, call an ambulance, call anyone at the show and I will be there as quickly as I can be. I am trusting you with the love of my life right now Emerson. The one reason I am is because I have never seen her smile like she did talk about you this morning. I will come by after the show to check in."

"I'll text you if she falls asleep." He nodded. "I'm gonna go bac-"

"I'm serious about you hurting her. I will hunt you down. Don't you dare think I wouldn't. I'm not the teddy bear people think I am. Not when it comes to Olive."

"I'm not going to hurt her." He nodded again, walking down the hall, and taking his phone out, pulling it to his ear.

"Nigel-" I breathed out, framing my head before walking back into the room and locking the door. Slowly. I moved over to her, still sat in the same place I had left her in.

"Okay." I carefully put the inhaler down and pulled her up to the top of the bed, covering her up and pulling her back under my arms. "Looks like we have a change of plans tonight. I'll have to find another day to take you to a fancy restaurant and buy you flowers."

"I'm sorry."

"Nothing to be sorry for. It wasn't your fault Pops. Do you want to watch movies or just some random TV?" She looked up at me. "You're okay here Olive. I won't hurt you."

"Promise?" Finally. Something that wasn't an apology.

"I swear it on every single fibre of me being. I like having you around way too much to be hurting you. Plus, your dad has threatened to murder me if I even think about it and I know I said no one is scared of your dad but he lowkey, kind of scares me." Her lips lifted. "I didn't know you had asthma beautiful."

"I haven't had an attack since I was 15." She lifted her head and turned, shuffling closer into me. "Dad's always been a worrier."

"Baby, you ran all the way home and wouldn't answer your door. I had to climb through a window to get to you and then you couldn't look at him. Some random guy who he only knows as bubbles-" She snickered, and my heart warmed just a little. "takes you off to his room so your supposed best friend doesn't try to find you."

"He'll try. He'll know I'm here."

"Trust me babe. He wouldn't dare knock on my door after I nearly choked the guy to death."

"You what?" She sat up. "Son-"

"I put him down. Hannah told me to and I did. He was breathing conscious and being cocky when I left. Though Hannah was screaming at him so I don't think that will last long." She sat up on her knees and looked down.

"I've caused so much drama."

"Come here."

"I should just go home."

"Callie."

"I knew this was a stupid idea."

"Olive." I sighed and she looked up. "You're not going home babe. You haven't done anything wrong." I leaned over pulling at her hips until she sat on my lap, straddling my thighs. I wiped at the mascara stains on her cheeks, holding both cheeks in the palm of my hands. "Say it with me Pops. I haven't done anything wrong." She mimicked. Quietly. "This is not my fault." She avoided eye contact and opened her mouth, trying to get the words out but they didn't quite happen. "None of this is your fault Callie. You were honest with him."

"I led him on."

"No, you didn't."

"We would have slept together if his stepdad didn't interrupt."

"And? You can give out consent and then withdraw it at any point. Just because you said yes to me this morning does not mean I should take that as a yes now." She blinked. "Pops, I'm a little worried about you thinking you led him on babe." Again. Not a word. "Did he say you had?"

"No."

"Who did-"

"No one." God I think my metal detector has struck gold.

"Pops-"

"No one Sonny." She shifted out of my hold, back into the bed beside me. I don't think I should be pushing this right now.

"Okay. I won't ask right now Callie. We can talk about it another time." She exhaled. "Movie?"

"Mhm."