Page 98 of Worth Every Game
“I don’t want her to be discouraged. Not yet, anyway. It’s early days.” I look over to where Elly is strutting across the stage. “She makes it look easy, but this is a big deal for her.”
I think of Elly in the kitchen that day, so upset at the idea of people attacking her online.If it’s not perfect, everyone will tear me apart.
Kate frowns, and her lips part as though she’s about to say something else when her phone rings. She stares at it for a second before turning it so I can see. ‘Mum’ is visible on the screen. I reach out and swipe my finger to decline the call.
Kate shakes her head and puts the phone away. “She keeps calling. Says you still won’t answer.”
“I’m not interested in speaking to her.”
“She won’t stop. She thinks she’s losing you. It’s breaking her heart, and she’s holding Elly accountable.”
What a nightmare.“She needs to apologise. Is she calling to apologise?”
Kate’s lips draw tight.That’s a no, then.
I curse under my breath.“Mum has all these ideas about who’s right for me and who’s wrong, but it’s a load of bullshit.” We stare at one another for a moment, and the understanding in Kate’s gaze is so palpable I can’t ignore it. I dip my head to run a hand through my hair. “Fuck. I had no idea what it was like to be on the receiving end of Mum’s crap.” Her brow crumples as though I’ve hit a nerve. “You’ve put up with so much over the years, and I wasn’t there for you—”
“You were.”
“No. Not really. Not enough. I want you to know I’m sorry. I get it now. I didn’t before.”
Kate clutches her clipboard to her chest. “That’s because you’re the Golden Child. You’ve always done everything she needed you to do. Made her look good. But for some inexplicable reason, you dating Elly isn’t what she wants.”
“I don’t care what Mum thinks. I like Elly. Really fucking like her. In fact, I—”
“I know.”
I eye my sister with suspicion. “What do you know?”
“I know this is different for you. You wouldn’t be culling the comments on her social media channels if you didn’t care. You wouldn’t have Derek working on her stuff, and you wouldn't have sorted out her recording all her songs. And you’ve never cut Mum out before. You’ve called her every Sunday night since you were at boarding school, but she’s mean to Elly, and you bring the shutters down.” Kate swipes a hand through the air as though this is all plain as day. “But you’ll have to talk to her eventually.”
“Why?”
“Because she’s our mum. And she’ll be at Nico’s party tonight.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake.”
Kate shrugs. “Just a heads up. You’ll have to face her then. But don’t expect an apology.”
Elly’s singing stops, and there’s a booming sound as she taps the microphone. “I need a break,” she announces.
She speaks to the band, then hops off the stage and comes towards us, and my heart swells with every step she takes towards me.
“You’re sounding fab,” Kate says, pulling Elly into a side-hug.
Elly looks ecstatic, but a little insecure as she asks, “It’s good, right?”
The hesitation in her question makes me want to hug her too. “It’s good,” I confirm.
We chat for a few moments longer and then Kate excuses herself, running her pen down her clipboard as she walks away from us.
“I’m so nervous,” Elly says, wringing her hands.
I put my hand over hers to stop them moving. “You don’t look it.” I take my phone from my pocket with my other hand and pass it to her. “You’re taking off. Some of your videos are getting loads of hits.”
Elly pushes my phone away. “I don’t want to see. I can’t take it. All those comments… all those people out there. I don’t need to know.”
I slip my phone back into my pocket. “I know what will help you relax.” I pull her against me, giving a gentle thrust of my hips so there’s no doubt what I’m talking about.