All-American Princess - Maggie Dallen Page 0,30
them have more brains.”
I refused to cry as I stared at the phone. This wasn’t the first time I’d been on the receiving end of a lecture like this one. The key was to focus on anything but the words. Like the way the phone reflected against the shiny countertop, or the way Tess shifted with discomfort beside me.
I swear, if she so much as touched me right now, I’d slap her.
“No one wants to see some spoiled brat on the TV screen, Princess…”
His words kept coming, but I’d found the place where they couldn’t hurt me.
“Without Brandon, you’re of no use to me and have no place on the show. I thought you understood that, Delilah.”
“Yes, Daddy.” I only spoke when I knew he was done. He’d spewed his frustration, and the frightening red tinge would be draining from his face. He’d relax back in his chair now that the worst of his anger had found a release.
I knew all this even without being there. I’d seen it often enough.
I glanced over at Tess, and she gave me a little nod. She knew it too. The worst was over.
“You understand what you have to do if you want this role?” he asked, his voice patient and teacher-like, as if we were reviewing questions for a quiz.
“Yes, Daddy,” I said softly.
“Good.” His tone changed altogether. “I’ll leave my two girls to figure out a way to sort out this mess, huh?”
There was actually laughter in his voice now, as though this were all some joke and not the rest of our lives we were discussing. I exchanged a look with Tess. I didn’t know what he had on her, but it must’ve been good if she’d been willing to turn on me like that.
“Yes, Daddy,” we said in unison.
“Tess, sweetheart, you can fill Delilah in on what we discussed.”
“Yes, Daddy,” she said. “And don’t forget to take your medicine.”
He chuckled. Tess and I smiled. Just one big happy family.
He ended the call, and there was silence in the room before I turned to face my traitorous sister. “You told him.”
She pursed her lips, but she didn’t deny or confirm it. It had to have been her, though. No one else knew about that kiss with Jack.
Stupid Jack.
No, stupid Delilah.
I drew in a deep breath. I couldn’t even bring myself to shout at my sister because when push came to shove, I was the one in the wrong here, and we both knew it. I’d had one job, and instead of seeing it through, I’d been distracted by a guy.
A hot guy, but a guy nonetheless.
There would be plenty of time for hotties when I got back to my real life in L.A., but until then, I wouldn’t go anywhere near Jack. Truth be told, I wasn’t entirely sure I trusted myself around him. He had some sort of effect on me. Chemistry, that’s all it was. I had a flash of those eyes, of the way they seemed to see straight through me and mock me for my lies.
It was just chemistry, and surely my awareness of him would fade over time. But I didn’t have the luxury of time, and I couldn’t allow myself to be distracted.
Tess took a step toward me, and I saw her expression soften with something horrifically close to pity as she reached out to touch my arm.
I pulled away from her. “What did Daddy want you to tell me?” I said, my tone cold. I’d been the idiot for confiding in her when I knew very well that Daddy would pit her against me.
Always.
That was how he got the best out of us. His words, not mine. He was of the opinion that a little sibling rivalry was healthy. Competition makes us excel.
Well, this phone call was the reminder I’d needed that Tess and I weren’t on the same page. Ever. We might have the same goal at the moment, but that only made us temporary allies.
I drew in a deep breath and summoned the cool, calm mask that I could always count on when dealing with my family. I gave away nothing and got even less in return.
Tess took one look at my expression and sighed, turning away to snag her phone and get back to whatever it was she’d been cooking before our father called.
“So?” I nudged. “What was it that Daddy wanted you to discuss with me?”
She opened the oven and peeked in. “He’s not satisfied with how this is progressing.