Page 88 of Can’t Say No

DELANEY

“Everything ready to go?” I ask as Remi emerges from one of the back bedrooms in my penthouse. Boxes line the hallway, most of which will be donated. A clean break from my old life. Everything I need is already waiting for me in Ridgecrest.

The Valley performance was, surprisingly, a massive success. Glowing headlines, producers clamoring to work with me on an acoustic EP, fans begging for my new song to be released so they can stream it. But the shine has finally worn off, and I couldn’t care less about public opinion anymore.

There’s only one person’s opinion who I care about.

“Yeah, all packed and labeled.” Remi nods, clipboard in hand. Turns out my monster publicist isn’t nearly as beastly as I’ve always thought. My perception of her might have been a little skewed by my own sour attitude and the attitudes of my so-called friends I surrounded myself with for years.

Once I laid it all out to her on the phone the other night, we started hatching a plan together to win Connor back. And thank God I’ve got her on my side, because the rest of my team is none too happy with my decision to pivot my career.

My phone buzzes on the kitchen counter, and my heart jumps, foolishly hoping to see Connor’s name on the screen.

All hope washes away when it’s my dad’s name instead.

Knowing he’ll just keep calling if I don’t pick up, I swipe to answer the call.

“Really disappointed in you, Delaney.”

“Straight to the point. I appreciate it, Dad.” I absentmindedly mess with the stack of moving boxes in the kitchen. They’re full of unopened PR packages that piled up while I was gone. Remi has them labeled for the women’s shelter down the road.

“I never thought you were the kind of girl to throw it all away for a boy.”

He spits out that last word with so much venom I can practically feel the sting through the phone. But nothing he can say will derail my plans.

“An interesting interpretation of what I’m doing. Creative. I like it,” I say calmly, knowing my nonchalant attitude will piss him off more.

“Cut that shit,” he seethes through the phone. “I’m done with these little games you’re playing.”

“Okay, then this conversation is over.”

With that, I hang up the call.

It’s instantly liberating. I am no longer interested in trying to please him, or anyone else for that matter. With a few quick swipes, I block his number. He doesn’t get to have access to me anymore.

And Remi already made sure of that on the business side of things. One of the many tasks we’ve been busy with has been rewriting documentation that ensures that I retain sole ownership of all my assets.

“You blocked his number?” Remi asks.

I nod. “Done.”

“And how do you feel about that?”

I raise my brows at her. “Are you therapizing me again, Remi?”

She laughs, a familiar comfort I’ve come to appreciate as the rest of my world turns upside down. “Yeah, maybe a little. But truly, I’m proud of you. I know this is hard for you.”

I nibble my lip. “Yes and no. At this point, it would be harder to stay… I can’t imagine being stuck here any longer, not when I’ve seen how sweet a simple life can be.”

Remi gives me a knowing nod. “I’m proud of you kid.”

Her words hit harder than they ought to. I can count on one hand, with fingers left over, how many times I’ve heard those words from anyone who mattered.

“And I’m excited for what you’re gonna do next.”

“What we’re doing next,” I correct. “Couldn’t do this without you. Sorry I was an ass to you for so long.”

“To be fair, you were an ass to everyone, so I didn’t take it personally.”