Chapter 18 - Don't Lie To Me

Marshall's POV:

— September 16th, 2022

I invited Hailie over the house today so that I can finally sit her down to tell her the truth. I've been trying to do it all week, but whenever we got around to it I ended up backing out. I just couldn't do it and kept stalling for time. I was also trying to ease her into it so it wouldn't seem as harsh, but I've got this feeling it wouldn't have entirely worked.

It was already Friday, and Sadé's birthday is in 5 days so I knew I had to do it today. I told Sadé that I would be doing so and she said that if Hailie wanted to talk to her about it then I could call her up so that we could all talk even though she wasn't physically here with us. She also still thinks I'm not going.

I was currently in the middle of making some fettuccine alfredo pasta for Hailie and I since I know her favorite food is anything Italian. I turned the stove off when I heard the doorbell ring. I opened up the door to Hailie giving me a knowing look. Fuck!

I stepped aside to let her in and we made our way into the kitchen. I plated our food before I started the conversation.

"Hey, Hai Hai. How was your day?" I gave an awkward smile.

"It was good, dad." She replied taking a bite of her food.

That's great to hear, sweetie." I could already feel myself backing out if this. Shit.

"Yup. So... I got invited to Sadé's 21st birthday. I can't wait to see her. It's been a while since we last hung out in person." She smiled warmly.

Oh my God. Why did she have to bring Sadé up? I could feel my heartbeat quicken.

"Really? That's awesome! I bet it's going to great."

"Yeah. Aren't you going too?" She finally turned to look at me.

I literally felt like I shit myself. Like seriously. What would give her the impression that I'm going? Unless she somehow knows. But she can't possibly know. Neither of us told her and hid everything. All I could do was look at her in nothing but pure bewilderment.

"What?" I asked, "Wh-why would I be going?" I stumbled over my words.

"Why not?" She glared at me.

Shit. She definitely fucking knows.

"Because why would your friend invite your father to her birthday?" I tried to play it off.

I don't know why I kept trying to get out of this conversation. It's literally the sole reason I asked her to come over today. I guess I didn't expect it to go down like this.

"Exactly. I don't know. You tell me, dad." She replied angrily.

"Don't get smart with me, girl. I'm still your father at the end of the day." I tried to regain some control over the situation.

"And I'm your daughter. So why are you lying to me? I'm not a child anymore! Don't lie to me."

"Look," I sighed, fully facing my body towards her to give her my undivided attention, "I didn't want to lie to you, but I couldn't tell you the truth."

I didn't even know how to word this. The look Hailie was giving me broke my heart. This whole thing went to far.

"You're seeing Sadé aren't you? That's what you wanted to talk to me about today?" She asked in a calm yet furious demeanor.

"I'm sorry for lying to you, and hiding it from you. But yea, me & Sae are seeing each other. We're taking things slow actually. " I confessed

"What so you're like dating?" I just nodded my head in response, "Unbelievable."

"I know it's messed up because she's your friend and all, but it just happened. Neither of us wanted to hurt your feelings or make you feel weirded out by it."

"Well you didn't do a good job at hiding it. I knew something was up when I found her lip liner in the couch, and when you would talk to her on the phone."

"So you knew this whole time?" I astonishingly asked.

"Not the whole time, but it crossed my mind from time to time. The lip liner just confirmed it."

"Wow. I am so sorry, Hai." I felt so damn guilty.

"Can you just answer these questions for me?" She incredulously asked.

"Go ahead." I took a deep breath, drinking my water.

"How long has this been going on?"

"Well I've known her since you introduced us, which is just about 3 months, but we started getting close and connecting during Lollapalooza, which was the start of August. So 1 month almost 2."

"When did she come over to the house?"

"A few weeks ago."

"Does she know you're telling me this?"

"Yes. You can call her if you don't believe me."

She was quiet for a moment. As if she was thinking about what say next.

"Do you really like her?" She asked softly.

Yea, I do." I lightly chuckled, my face turning red. I was like a school boy being asked about his crush.

"And does she make you happy?" She squinted at me.

"Yes she does. Very."

"Okay then." She shrugged.

"Wait? So you're not mad at me?" I asked skeptically.

"Well yes, I'm mad you hid it from me instead of being honest. I'm not mad you're dating her though. I love Sadé. I absolutely adore her, you know that. And she inspires me a lot. But your relationship that you have with other people are none of my business. And as long as she makes you happy and you make her happy, then I'm happy." She concluded with a smile.

"Thank you." I whispered in her ear as I hugged her tight.

We let go of our embrace, continuing to eat before Hailie spoke up again.

"So you never answered my question. Are you going?" She asked me, referring to Sae's party.

"Yea, but she doesn't know that. She thinks I'm not going because I told her that I couldn't make it. I was hoping to surprise her."

"Awh, look at you two." She gushed.

"Don't say anything to her about it though. If she asks anything about it, just tell her I'm in the studio or something." I replied.

"Alright. Have you thought about what you're going to get her?"

Fuck, I totally forgot about getting her a gift. Of course I had thought about it briefly because I did want to get her something, but it totally slipped my mind.

"Ummmm." I covered my mouth, embarrassed.

"Dad!" She exclaimed.

"In my defense, I've been super busy lately." I tried to defend myself.

"Oh my gosh. Do you even have something in mind? Anything? At all?"

"No... I can't decide on what I should get her. I haven't had to shop for a lady I'm interested in in a while." I say sheepishly.

"Okay. That's okay. We can think of something. She's really into fashion and self care." She suggested.

"She's also really into food. And travel." I threw out there.

"Maybe not travel. It might be too soon." She commented.

"Good point."

We continued to brainstorm, but couldn't get an exact answer.

"Maybe you should ask Alabama. That is her best friend after all!"

"And this is why you're the smart one between the two of us." I laughed, "She'd know everything about her. And she could help me out with surprising her."

She gave me her number so that I could call her for some advice later.

We continued to hangout around the house, talking and all. I'm just so glad and relieved she accepted Sadé & I. I couldn't have asked for a better outcome. Honestly truly is the best policy.

— Later That Night

"Alabama?"

"Hello?"

"Hey, it's Marshall."

A/N: Little bit of a cliffhanger. But the truth has finally come out. What are some of y'all's thoughts?-🤎