FOUR

DELILAH

My fathers publicist Lisa took me straight to the Panthers practice field after picking me up from Tessa's place. The new football season is starting up soon, so right now my dad spends just about every free minute that he has here. I mentally prepare for the worst as I wait in an office for him and Lisa to arrive. I scroll through the pictures of me and Liam as I'm waiting for them. I guess it could have been worse. Thank God he stopped me from streaking. I can only imagine the headlines those pictures would've created. I shiver as a text message from Tess pops up on my screen.

Tess: Liam is freaking out girlie. I think more is going on between you two then you're confessing. You've really done a number on him.

ME: He'll survive. I'm sure I'm not the only girl he's currently hooking up with.

ME: But, what exactly did he say?

I can deny my feelings for him all day long, but I can't help but be curious, even though I know I shouldn't be. Liam is bad news. Trouble with a capital T.

Tess: He told Kelly to do literally "whatever it takes" to make you happy. LOL I'm telling you the boy is in love.

I smile shaking my head in denial before replying.

ME: He's probably just worried about my dad murdering him because of those photos. Liam doesn't do love. He's a player, remember?

Tess: Nope. It's love. Trust me. He told her and I quote, "Delilah's not a random hookup." Sounds like love to me.

I'm not sure how to respond to that. Part of me wants to believe what she's saying is true, but deep down I can't help but feel like I'll be the one left behind again. I'm not ready for that.

Tess: You should give him a chance. From the looks of those pics you can't keep your hands off each other. Lock him down. 

ME: You can't see me, but I'm rolling my eyes right now. Liam doesn't do relationships. I'm not looking to get my heart broken. End of story. My dads here. I'll text you later when I get a chance.

Tess: Something tells me he'd break that relationship rule for you. He's been staring longingly at your pictures since you left.

Psssh he's probably just wishing he'd gotten laid. I still can't believe I threw myself at him and he passed. Maybe he's not a complete Asshat after all.

I hear the door open and look up as I quickly put my phone away. "Hi Dad." My dad enters the office with Lisa close on his heels. He gives me a hug and sits on the other side of the desk. Lisa pulls up a chair, placing her laptop on the desk in front of her and quickly begins typing.

"Hey baby girl. Looks like you got into a bit of trouble last night with the Anderson boy. I didn't even know he was back in town." He states matter of factly, quickly switching to serious dad mode. "Is this something I need to be worried about? I know you're a bit old for the birds and bees talk. I'm not sure if you know how things work... Without your mom here..." He trails off looking flustered. I take this opportunity to save us both from the impending mortification from having 'the talk'.

"Mom gave me that talk already, dad, and we had to watch this video in health class last year of a woman giving birth. I know how things work and believe me, I won't be doing that anytime soon. Trust me." That video was so traumatizing, I couldn't sleep for a week.

He lets out a deep breath, looking quite relieved. "Good. So about the Anderson boy. I hear his reputation isn't the best. I'm not one to judge though. Lord knows I had my share of bad publicity throughout my early career. I know that the press can be quite misleading. Remember that dramatic headlines tend to sell better. I just want to make sure that you know what you're getting yourself into. I've protected you from this side of my life so far. It can be....tough. Anyway, when did Liam get back in town? I thought he was on tour. How long has this situation been going on? Are you two dating? And when is he available for a meeting with me? I know you've been friends since preschool but it looks as though he's earned a chat with your dear old dad. I can have a driver pick him up and bring him here now. What do you think?"

I gulp. That sounds terrible. "Is that really necessary? I mean, it's all pretty new, dad and we're just friends." I'll keep saying that until I believe it too. We're just friends. Just friends. Friends who can't keep their hands off each other. Friends who kiss every time they are alone. "We haven't really talked about anything like that anyway. I don't think you need to "chat" with him. Sounds pretty embarrassing if you ask me. He probably doesn't like me that way anyway."

Dad chuckles, looking at me skeptically. "Right, friends. Well, if he wants to be friends with my baby girl, he's going to have a chat with me. I suppose I can wait a week or two before I invite him over. My PR team is already scrubbing the more, uhhh, provocative images from the internet as we speak. You were in a private residence and since you aren't 18 for another month there are laws to protect you still."

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. "Thanks dad."

"Of course, baby girl. I hope you realize that means you should keep certain things behind closed doors in the future. Especially if you aren't ready for what will come along with your relationship going public. Anderson has quite the fan following already, images of him sell for thousands. You can imagine how much a provocative photo with a possible love interest would sell for. Especially if that love interest has famous parents. There will be more paparazzi in town trying to get the scoop first on you two, if they aren't here already. I'm going to increase security around our house and Tessa's for the time being. And I suggest you let Nelson come with you when you're out and about. Especially when Anderson isn't around. Reporters can be really in your face. I don't want them cornering you alone."

Nelson is my dad's top security guard. He's nice enough, but I hate feeling like I have a babysitter. However, this conversation has gone much smoother than I anticipated, so I am not going to rock the boat, for now anyway. "Thanks, daddy."

"Of course, baby girl. Now are you hungry? I was just about to grab lunch." I nod and before long we are seated at my favorite comfort food place, Lulu's Diner and there's a giant plate of waffles, scrambled eggs, and bacon sitting in front of me. Thank heavens. Today's events were not compatible with the hangover that I'm currently nursing, so I can't wait to devour this yummy goodness.

We are seated at a booth next to a window and while glancing outside I notice a man in sunglasses with his camera pointed towards us. I frown, nodding my head towards the man. "Don't look now, but we have a friend." I say to my dad who looks up and casually glances over his shoulder.

"They've found us." He hands me his Panthers baseball cap and I quickly put it on and pull down the brim hiding my face so their picture will be crappy. Crappy pictures sell for less. Take that Stalker.

I take a bite of my waffle as I hear the bell on the door chime. Dad chuckles, "Well, well, well. Looks like I'll get that meeting after all. Hello Tess, Tyler, Anderson." He nods as he firmly shakes both boys' hands. "Why don't you sit with us? There's plenty of room."

He calls the waitress over to take their orders. Tessa quickly sits beside my dad with Tyler pulling up a chair at the end of the table. Liam is looking rather pale as he sits down beside me, placing his hands on the table in front of him, like he wants to make sure that my dad can see where they are at all times.

I stifle a laugh as I fork a bite of my waffle, nudging Liam with my elbow and raising my eyebrows at him. Liam eyes me curiously and steals a piece of bacon from my plate. He glances back towards my dad clearly worried about the talk that he thinks he's about to receive.

My dad is pretty intimidating when he wants to be. He has the height and muscular build that come along with years of hard work from being a pro athlete with tattoos trailing down both of his thick arms. I know if I were Liam, I'd be worried too. "So," dad starts, "it seems that you two have caused quite a commotion in town. I haven't had to deal with press like this in.." he looks up pausing while counting, "at least 17 years."

"Sir, I am so sorry. I had no idea that they even knew that we were home yet. I'm usually better at spotting them." Liam quickly apologizes and my dad chuckles.

"Relax kid. I was young once too, you know. Although I have to say that your hand placement in a few of those photos was quite questionable." He deadpans, raising a brow at Liam whose cheeks quickly turn a bright shade of red.

"Sorry sir. It won't happen again." Liam mumbles looking down at his hands.

My dad chuckles, "Oh, I'm sure it will happen again." He chuckles some more, "But at least not where these vultures can see. Are we clear?" Liam nods, his hand finding mine underneath the table.

I look back out the window where the stalker is still snapping away with his camera. It looks like some other reporters have joined him now. This little rendezvous will definitely be making the rag mags later today. I wonder how they'll spin this. I frown. Dad looks back out the window shaking his head. "Looks like we've got quite the crowd waiting for us out there." He sighs as the waitress brings everyone else's food. It looks delicious and they quickly dig in.

"Do you kids want to come to the stadium with me after this? The rain finally let up and it's summer training. You can meet the rest of the team." The boys both nod enthusiastically and begin shoveling food into their mouths. Outside I notice Nelson approaching the stalker who quickly hops into his Prius and scurries away.

The crowd of reporters are still waiting outside the diner by the time we are ready to leave. It must be a really slow news day for them to be hunting us down here. Although I guess it's not every day you can get a picture of a football star and a rock band hanging out together at the local diner.

Dad leads the way and Liam holds my hand pulling me close to him with Tess and Ty following behind. As we open the door and walk through the crowd they begin firing off questions. I have my head down, my hat pulled low, and keep walking.

"Mr. Jones, how do you feel about your only daughter dating a known playboy?"

"Liam! Does this mean you're off the market?"

"Delilah, any comment on the photos from last night?"

"Liam, how long have you known each other?"

"Tyler, who is the girl with you now? Is she your girlfriend?"

"Liam, will you and Delilah stop for a photo?"

None of us answer any of their questions as my dad's driver pulls up in his luxury blacked out SUV and we jump inside to head to the stadium.

Dad takes us to the field to meet the guys. He must've realized there was no need for him to scare Liam back at the diner earlier. His football buddies are having a fine time doing it for him now. I briefly wonder if he planned this all along.

"So, Liam is it?" Jason, one of the linebackers on my dad's team, eyes Liam and then shakes his hand firmly. At first Liam looked thrilled to meet one of his favorite players. He now looks absolutely terrified.

Terrence and Jamal saunter up behind Jason and nod in Liam's direction, then give me a giant crushing hug. "Baby girl, we have missed seeing you around. You know you gave your dad a few extra gray hairs today. It was amazing. Thanks for that."

Jamal starts on Liam next. "You know, I've known this girl since she was yay high." He motions with his hand flat to his knees. "I think of her as my own daughter. You get me?" He narrows his eyes on Liam while cracking his knuckles with the opposite hand. Liam nods, putting his hands into his pockets, and looking away as Terrence lightly punches him on the arm.

"Good talk! Now Lisa thinks it would be a great idea if you boys throw the ball around with us for a bit. We can put a few images on the team's I***a page. Maybe turn the current story toward a more PG rated direction."

Liam and Tyler both nod in agreement. "Kelly would love that. We can post some to our page as well." Tyler says.

"It's settled then." Dad chimes in while tossing the boys a couple of Panthers jerseys and shorts for them to change into.

I try to look away as Liam lifts his shirt to put the jersey on. I found it nearly impossible to pry my eyes from his well defined abs and v-line glistening in the sun in front of me. Thank goodness I have my shades on so that I can fangirl without him knowing. Tessa nudges me in the ribs with her elbow. "You have a bit of drool on your chin." She quips before facing the field again.

"I do not." I say back defensively, while I quickly swipe my mouth with my hand, you know,  just in case. Tessa laughs, popping some Sour Patch Kids into her mouth.

"I mean, I can't blame you." She says, mouth full while she's chewing. "There is not a single unattractive man out on that field. It's really unfair. I have to admit even Ty is looking so fine today." She says while whistling at them. I laugh and bump her with my shoulder. "Who's drooling now?"

We are sitting in the stands eating junk food and taking silly selfies when I notice a flash of light from the corner of my eye. I zoom in with my phone's camera in the direction that it came from. Sure enough, our friend has spotted us again. "What a creep." I show Tess the photo that I just took and point in the direction of the stalker. "This is the second time this guy has found me today. Do you think he's the one who snuck into your house last night?" I ask Tessa.

"I'm not sure," she says, frowning. "Tyler thinks it could've been one of the kids from school trying to make a quick buck. Your theory does make sense though. Most of the kids there last night were our friends. I don't think they'd risk not being invited to the next party we throw. Know what I mean? Your dad seems pretty cool with everything that happened. Mine would've flipped out. Those pictures were hot as fuck."

"Yeah. My dad tried to give me the birds and bees talk again. I had to shut that down real quick." I laugh. No way was I going to sit through that chat twice.

"You know, you never told me what actually happened last night." She looks at me accusingly. "Did you guys do the nasty again? Was it as good as you remembered?" I grimaced remembering last night's escapades. He probably thinks I'm crazy. So embarrassing.

"Well, apparently I tried to attack him, if you get my drift. When he refused to have sex with me, because I hadn't embarressed myself enough, I started stripping my clothes off and asking if he wanted to go streaking down the beach." Tessa's eyes go wide as she begins laughing uncontrollably. "If that's not humiliating enough, he said he had to convince me to keep my streaking adventure to the bedroom. I can't believe he's been back one day and he's already seen me naked."

I put my head in my hands to cover my embarrassment and pout. Tessa chuckles, "Maybe next time you should take it a little easier on the alcohol if you're going to be around him." She bites the head off of a Sour Patch Kid viciously and chews.

I scowl, "I must've been pretty wrecked if he rejected sex from me. Do you think he just doesn't find me attractive? I mean, with all the girls that he's been with, maybe I just don't do it for him anymore."

"Pshhh," she interrupts, "that boy is currently getting tackled by a pro football team for you." She glances to the field and I see Liam running with several guys hot on his trail. "I'm willing to bet money that he just didn't want to feel like he was taking advantage of you in all your drunken glory. He probably wanted to make sure you would remember it."

Could that be it? I hope she's right. I know I was his first, but I can't help but compare myself to all the girls that have come after me.