Chapter 26
TWENTY-SIX
Mase
Ibarely slept last night—the need to go and get her and bring her back to my bed driving me crazy. I wonder how I ever managed before her.
She’s the most stubborn woman I know, and I need to sort myself out if I want to get her back.
I run my hand down over my face and lift the phone from the cradle. I dial the number to the estate.
“Hello?”
“Scar, it’s me.”
“Hello, big brother,” she sings down the phone. I can hear the smile in her voice.
“Is Dad there?”
“Uh, yeah, just a minute. Dad,” she shouts. “It’s Mason.”
I get the image of the two of them in the house, and my hand clenches tight around the phone. My intention wasn’t ever to abandon them, and it fucks me up inside to think that I have.
“Son?” My dad’s gritty voice comes down the line.
“Yeah, I’m here, Dad. How are you?”
“Good. Really good, actually.”
“I presume you haven’t heard anything yet, from the doctor?” This shouldn’t be so awkward.
“No, not yet. But I did have a visitor this week.”
I drop my head, my lips turning up just slightly. “Yeah, she said she came out.”
“You should come with her next time. I shouldn’t be the one showing her the estate.”
He’s right. As much as I hate being there, I hate the idea of not showing Nina myself.
Is that why it bothered me so much?
“I carved out some time,” I tell him. “you said you had some things to put into place. Do I need to get anyone else in?”
“Emanuel.”
“Right.” Emanuel is our solicitor, and there’s only one reason he would want to meet with him. “I have three weeks today? I will have to see when he’s free.”
“That will be great. Thank you, Mason.”
I roll my lips, unsure if I want what I’m asking. “Bring Scarlet, we can go for something to eat after.” He’s quiet for a moment, and I don’t know if he has heard me. “Dad?”
“Three weeks today, I’ve pencilled you in.”
I snicker, knowing he doesn’t have fuck all on three weeks from today.
“See you then, son.”
“Bye, Dad.”
Nina
I’m in awe as I sit flipping through the photos in front of me. Shot after shot of me dancing in the studio. They seem so much more important now—memories I can look back on and cherish.
“Joey, these are beautiful. You’ve captured it perfectly.”
“It’s all you; you’re a dream to photograph.” He bumps me with his shoulder and I chuckle at his excitement.
“I want to buy some of these, is that possible?”
“Yes, although I will only accept lunch as payment.” He winks.
“Joey, I can’t. Mason—”
“You can’t have lunch with a friend?”
“No, I can, I just… I don’t want to lead you on.”
“You’ve made it very clear, Nina. Lunch? As friends. You can have a copy of the lot.” He pops a thick brow in question.
“Sold.” I grin. “I’d be a fool not to.”
“Good! I can’t do lunch today, but I’m free tomorrow?” he tells me.
“As much as I want to, I need to get serious and start looking for a place to rent. I’ve been putting it off because I miss the studio so much. I know it’s only been a few days, but I need to move on.”
“I’d say that’s normal.”
“Can I call you next week? Arrange something for then?”
“Sure, but I’m holding the pictures hostage until I get my lunch date.”
“Not a date,” I remind him.
He holds up his hands. “Not a date.”
I’m just pulling on my gym tights when Scarlet calls. I’ve had a manic morning meeting with Joey and then coffee with Maggie to look at a potential studio. I’m excited to view it tomorrow.
“Hey, Scar.”
“Hey girl, what are you up to? I feel like we should be unemployed losers together these days.”
I chuckle down the phone. “Speak for yourself. Did you get the forms from the university yet?”
“Yes, I have, actually. But I won’t be starting until next September. I want to be here for Dad.”
No matter how much I try with Scarlet, she won’t pursue going back to uni until she knows her dad’s health is better. I just worry about what will happen if Anthony is still waiting for a transplant next year. Will she put it off again?
“I know, sorry. I won’t bring it up again—not unless you want to talk about it. I’m just about to go to the gym.”
“Ugh, boring. I’m trying to strip wallpaper. I was looking for a willing accomplice.”
“I don’t think I’d be much help, Scar. I told you I’m horrific at DIY.”
“It’s stripping wallpaper, you’ll do great. I will cook you tea after to say thanks.”
“I don’t even—”
“Leaving now to pick you up! Are you at Mason’s?”
“No.” I laugh. “I’m staying at the girls’ apartment.”
“What? Why?”
“I’ll send you the address,” I say, hanging up and rolling my eyes, knowing she will want all the details.
Scarlet hasn’t stopped talking, from the minute I got in the car to the moment we pulled the final piece of paper from the wall.
It’s been the perfect distraction, though.
I can tell she is lonely here. She only has her dad, and from what she’s said, he sleeps a lot these days. It makes me sad. I’m excited for her to get back to medical school.
Anthony joined us out on the balcony for the spaghetti Bolognese that Scarlet made. He looks better today, with more colour in his cheeks and a slight spring in his step. I should feel guilty for spending time here after what Mason said, but Scarlet is my friend now, and I want to be here for her.
“How is the search going for a new studio?” Anthony asks.
“Slow, there isn’t much around. I’m going to look at a space tomorrow which is exciting, but it’s expensive.”
“I’m sure something will come up, the right place at the right time.” He winks, taking a sip of his water.
“I hope so. I have a dance showcase in a few weeks and nowhere to train my girls.”
“Why don’t you use the gym here? It’s quite the space,” he suggests.
“That’s a great idea!” Scarlet agrees.
I clench my teeth, trying to keep my face neutral. “Thank you. I appreciate it so much, but I have to do this for myself. Also, my girls wouldn’t be able to travel out here each day.”
“That’s rubbish,” Scar mutters, stacking the plates and placing them to the side and out of our way.
“Well, if you need a hand with it at all, financially or otherwise, let us know. We could always set you up with a loan to help cover the costs.”
“That’s very kind of you.”
Although I already know I would never accept it.
“You’ve brought out a different side of Mason recently. We are thankful to you,” he says earnestly.
“Different how?”
“He never came here before. Or called, or even texted. The fact I know you is a miracle. I thought he would never come back here,” Scarlet expresses.
I smile, glad that they can see that change in him. Sometimes I think me and Mason are pure toxicity, but then I see the parts of him that Anthony and Scarlet are only now finding again, and it gives me hope.
“He is a good man.” Anthony sits nodding his head, swirling his water in his glass. “But stubborn. It’s the Lowell trait, I’m afraid.”
I lift my wine to my lips and take a large gulp. “You’re telling me!”
We all chuckle. My thoughts lost to the crazy man who drives me wild with want and need.
“You can’t leave now, by the way. Who would I hang with?” Scarlet looks over at me, giving me her best puppy-eyed look.
“Oh, because that’s why I’m with your brother.”
“No.” She shakes her head, sitting up in her seat and resting her arms on the table. “I think you’re with him for the Tuesday special.”
My eyes go wide, and I stare at her open-mouthed.
She didn’t just say that.
“I’m going to leave you girls to it,” Anthony announces, standing and making his way towards the door. Thank god he didn’t ask what the Tuesday special was.
“’Night, Dad!” Scarlet says sweetly.
“You bitch!” I whisper-shout as Anthony closes the terrace doors.
I chuck a piece of bread at her but miss.
“Leave my brother, and I will go to every newspaper that will listen and tell your anal story.” She starts to laugh, and I mimic her sarcastically.
“Yeah, because they will wanna hear that story. Idiot.” I giggle.
“You’d be surprised what strings I can pull. I have connections at The Times.” She nods but ends up snorting through her nose and breaking out into hysterics. “I can see it now. Dance prodigy QUITS to become Anal Champion.”
“STOP IT!” I heave out, trying to control my laughter.
“Heard it here first, folks.”
It’s eight o’clock, and I’m starting to get tipsy. We’ve only had a bottle of wine between us, but the great outdoors has made it go to my head.
We escape the cold outside and head for the kitchen. “I need to call a taxi,” I say, searching for my phone.
“Just stay. I can drop you home in the morning.”
“No, Mase would lose his head if he knew I was here.”
“Screw him. How would he even know?”
I think on it for a moment. “I should go home.”
“Nina, you’re more than welcome here,” Anthony says, appearing in the doorway.
“It’s nice to have the company around here with him sleeping the day away.” Scarlet nods to her dad, smirking. “Besides, who is going to help me finish this?” She holds up a bottle of wine.
Rolling my eyes, I give in. “Okay,” I drawl.
It’s late when we finally make it to bed, and Scarlet leads me to a room at the end of the hallway. She walks me inside with a wide smile on her face.
“What do you think?” she asks.
“It’s... nice,” I tell her, looking around at the mostly bare room.
My gaze catches a stack of boxes in the corner.
“It’s Mason’s old room.”
“It is?” I start to look around with more interest.
“Uh-huh.” Scarlet waggles her brows at me, and I chuckle. She is a little more than tipsy.
“Go to bed, you creeper.” I laugh, stepping farther into the room.
“Good night, champ.”
“Good night,” I call back.
The bedroom is smaller than I expected. It’s decorated in creams and navy tones, but nothing really matches.
Other than the few boxes it’s empty, the walls and surfaces are all free of life.
I undress and pull on the pyjamas that Scar had already left out for me, then climb into the bed.
She must have expected me to stay the whole time.
I scroll through my phone, feeling close to him but not close enough.