Page 39 of Grand Love
Nina
Thankfully,the girls were ready to leave when I went and found them. Vinny arrived not long after and now we are on our way home. I’m desperate to crawl into bed and forget the evening.
We drop the girls off at their apartment and they both try and get me to go in with them, but I decline, wanting to be home for when Ellis gets back in the morning.
Scarlet is staying at Mason’s so that Vinny won’t have to drive all the way out to Lowerwick this late.
The tree-lined road that houses Mason’s building comes into view and my stomach knots. I don’t know what happened tonight, but I knew I couldn’t kiss Pax when it was Mason on my mind. And then when I got to the office, the need to feel him… It was overwhelming. I don’t know if seeing him again is a good idea. Not when there’s clearly still so much between us.
“Thanks, Vinny,” Scarlet says as she unclips her seat belt.
“Will you need a lift home tomorrow, love?” Vinny asks.
“Uh, yeah, I probably will actually.” She pulls me in for a hug. “You sure you wanna go home alone? Don’t want to come inside and give me some moral support with my brother.”
I shake my head. “I can’t, Scar.” I know things have been strained between Mason and Scarlet. The only thing that keeps them in contact is Ellis these days and that upsets me. They both deserve more.
“Okay, see you and my little monster in the week.”
She gets out of the Audi and walks to the elevator, just like I’ve done myself so many times before.
My entire world lives behind those steel doors, lying asleep mere metres away.
I miss my home.
“You sure you don’t want to go to the girls’ apartment?” Vinny asks, watching me in the mirror.
“I want to be at home—”
“For Ellis. I know.” He smiles softly as he pulls out of the parking garage and onto the busy street.
* * *
Vinny walksme inside my building and to my door. As always, he stands waiting for me to be inside before he turns to leave.
“Vin.” I stop him, toying with the door handle as I try and articulate my words in a way that will make sense.
He turns in question.
My eyes prickle and I grit my teeth. “Did you ever… do you think Mason…” I frown, my throat growing tight. I can’t even say it.
“Do I think Mason cheated on you?” He steps closer, showing me the no nonsense side of him that I don’t always get.
I nod, heat rising in my gut.
“No, Nina. No, I don’t.” I close my eyes as pain slices through me. “Get to bed, love. Tomorrow is a new day.”
He squeezes my shoulder, giving me a warm smile before leaving.
The apartment door shuts behind me with a thwack and I’m instantly crippled by the silence that greets me. Not even the ticking of a clock can be heard. No leaky tap, no heater whirling, just silence.
I go through the motions, locking up then getting myself a glass of water and going to my bedroom. My eyes flick to Ellis’s cot and then to my empty bed, and I can’t help but think of Mason and Ellis at the penthouse. Where does he sleep? Does he sleep in our bed?
I clean my teeth and undress, then crawl under the covers, pulling them tight around my chin.
I always wondered about the photos. The way they were left at reception, and the fact the boys couldn’t find Mason that night.
I’m not stupid and something always told me it was odd how the night unfolded. But once you see something that can hurt you so deeply, a physical copy of something placed in your hand that sears itself into your mind… I think I always knew Mason was set up, but I never thought I could get over the fact he’d had his lips on another woman. It will always be too much to think about. I just don’t know how to be okay in this world alone anymore.
