Page 56 of Still Here Without You

Delilah’s silent on the end of the line. And based on the fact that the music just got a hell of a lot louder, I’d say she’s pulled the phone away from her ear. I’m most definitely not going to like her response. “Del? Are you there?”

It’s a few seconds before I hear a crackling then the faint sound of her breathing. “I think I’m going to say yes.”

And there it is.

Taking a deep breath, I try to remain calm. “Okay, it’s your decision, but you hate it there. You’ve called me crying a number of times. And, I’m not there. I’m stuck here, knowing you’re hurting.” I run my hand down my face, trying to remain calm.

“I know, I know. But think about the experience I’m getting and the contacts!”

“Hang up the phone, Lilah,” a whiny voice that I can only just make out yells in the background. Lilah? Who the fuck calls her that?

“Del, I think you should go home, get some sleep, and call me in the morning so we can talk about your options. I mean, there’s a lot to consider. What about college? You’d have to defer another semester…can you even do that? Or—”

“Maybe she just won’t go back,” the voice yells again.

“Hanna, stop!” Delilah calls and I flinch.

“Fuck, am I on speaker?”

“I gotta go, Joel. Now’s not the time to talk. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

Panic fills me. “Wait, Del. Are you going home?”

“No, she’s celebrating.”

“Fuck off and let me talk to my girl,” I seethe, clenching my fists.Who the hell is she hanging out with?

I hear a crackling again and then the other voice comes across loud and clear. “She’s not your girl. Have you ever thought that maybe you’re holding her back? She’s a superstar over here. Let her live her life.”

What the fuck?Is that what I’m doing? Does she think I’m trying to hold her back?

The crackling sounds again and then Delilah’s back. “I’m sorry. We’ll talk tomorrow, ‘kay?”

Nope, definitely not okay.“Del?”

“Please, Joel. I’ll call you in the morning. Your time.”

I sigh and reluctantly agree, “Okay.”

Delilah rushes out a quick, “Thank you,” before hanging up.

I’m not sure how long I stare at the phone before Dylan sits down beside me. “Wanna talk about it, or get drunk?”

I look up at him, still not entirely sure what happened, and then I give him an answer he was never expecting. “Let’s get drunk.”

I’m high on life, dancing in a sea of bodies, when I see Rachel heading my way. She pouts while pulling me into a hug, even though we barely know each other. “Did you hear Delilah’s news?”

“Yep, she called,” I say, taking a sip of my drink.

Rachel’s eyes widen for a second, then she frowns. “I can’t believe she’s staying.”

I almost choke on the liquid running down my throat.Well, okay then.

“Mind if I drown my sorrows with you?”

“Be my guest.” I shrug. I’m not at all ready to deal with what Rachel just said, but I do need more alcohol. I hold up my bottle to signal I want another, and Rachel laughs as she walks toward the bar.

“She’s hot,” one of Dylan’s teammates says in my ear. “She’s not yours, is she?”

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