The Tour

39

"What do you think?" I said to my dad after playing him a small part of a chorus I'd written a few days prior but hadn't finished yet

"Sounds beautiful darling" he said hugging me lightly trying not to squash the guitar that was sat inbetween us "come on get your shoes on or your mum will go mad when she comes out and we aren't ready" he said as I nodded knowing what she's like for punctuality and timekeeping.

"Promise me something Nic?" Dad said as I hummed in response "finish that song please it is amazing so far" he said as I smiled and nodded in response thankful for his encouragement. This song was different to others I'd written, the last few had been nothing but anger but this one had more of a mellow feel to it but it was missing something in this chorus I'd written. I just needed to work out what was missing though.

"Come on you two let's get going" mum said walking through the front room/kitchen of the bus making her way to the exit eager to go for her walk around the arena exploring the small part of Nashville we were in.

"Can I just apologise to you both quickly for last night" I said trying to grab her attention before she left the bus

"Don't be silly you don't need to apologise, these things happen! Now come on please" she said before practically running out of the bus

"We're coming" I laughed following her out of the bus stopping in my tracks as I saw Luke lent up against the wall opposite waving to my mum

"Good Morning Mr and Mrs Bright" he said as I rolled my eyes "Morning Nicky" he said as I smiled trying to be polite infront of my parents although all I wanted to do was tell him to fuck off

"Luke is going to come with us" my mum said turning to myself and my dad leaving us both gobsmacked

"What?!" Both me and my dad said in unison as she gave my dad a look as if to tell him to shut up

"He offered to show us some of the sights last night when we bumped into him before we surprised you" she explained as I shook my head

"You're a prick" I said pointing to Luke as he smirked

"Oh cheer up Nicky. It will be like old times, the four of us hanging out together, let me show your parents Nashville" Luke explained as I shook my head

"What the fuck do you know about Nashville" I snapped feeling my blood boil

"Nicola!" My mum gasped shaking her head at my language "I'm so sorry Luke"

Why is she apologising to him. I cried my eyes out on the phone to her over him. She heard me tell her almost everything last night. The hell he'd put me through and she's casually allowed him to join us on our walk as if we were still a couple and this was a bonding opportunity for us all.

"It's okay, I've heard her say much worse. And I know enough thank you Nicky" he said as I rolled my eyes

"Let's just get walking" my dad suddenly blurted as I sighed following my mum and Luke who suddenly had become best friends despite everything. A strange sense of betrayal and anger came across me. Although my dad seemed as blindsided as me I was still angry he hasn't stood up for me and just gone along with whatever my mum had said to him about the walk. And for my mum, I'd never ever felt this way towards her. I was beyond hurt. Who could listen to her child explain the hurt they went through to then allow the person who hurt them to walk into an activity like it was nothing.

A loud ringtone suddenly broke up my thoughts as I realised it was my own phone ringing making me confused as I rummaged through my jacket pocket to find my phone. A smile instantly grew on my face seeing Oli's name light up the screen before a sadness over took as I had to decline knowing this wasn't the time to answer my new boyfriends call as the old one stood infront of me cozied up to my mum.

Nicky: Sorry!! Out with my mum and dad at the moment... Will call you later! Miss you x

Oli: It's okay! Family first, looking forward to hearing about it later on. Miss you more x

"Come on then who's that" dad whispered pointing to my phone as I shrugged

"Who's who?" I said trying to play dumb but wanting to cause a scene

"Well the articles I've seen say it's Oliver Sykes" he said as I stopped in my tracks "I'll tell you something Nic you seem to have a thing for lead singers" he laughed as I looked at him confused

"Articles?" I said as he nodded and encouraged me to continue walking

"Your brother tried to hide those o2 photos from us but forgot I have a work laptop" he said as I nodded as my heart dropped "don't worry your mum doesn't know, it's your place to tell her, not mine or the press" he said as I smiled at him

"Thank you dad, I'm sorry you had to find out that way" I said as he shook his head and placed his arm around my shoulder

"I don't care Nicky, by the smile on your face when he called you a second ago I'd like to think he's treating you well" he said as I nodded smiling at him

"The best" I said as he smiled

"I don't think it's hard to be any better than that waste of space in front of us" he said as I laughed slightly knowing he meant Luke

"I'm happy for you darling" he said as I smiled

"Thank you dad"