Chapter 47
Nina
Nana Sue and Matt were watching TV when I walked in with Austin and Ryan. I tried to convince them to wait outside, but I might as well have been talking to a brick wall for all they listened.
SSI had two guys watching the house, so I didn’t understand why they insisted on staying inside. It didn’t matter. I lost the argument and had to come up with an explanation for their presence.
“Nina, how was your evening? Matt and I had fun, though he doesn’t share my love of cop shows.”
“I’m glad and I’m sorry. How are you feeling?” Matt had sent texts to keep me up-to-date, but I wanted to hear it from her.
“Oh, I’m fine, dear.”
Her color looked better and her voice sounded strong. Thank God.
“You know you don’t need to ask someone to stay with me? I would’ve been okay on my own.”
“I was just worried because you weren’t feeling well this morning.” It was only half a lie.
“So, who are these handsome young men?”
“Nana Sue, this is Austin and Ryan.” I pointed at each. “Austin. Ryan. This is my grandmother.”
“Mrs. Novak, it’s nice to meet you. Nina’s told me so much about you I feel like I practically know you,” Austin poured on the charm.
Nana blushed. “Please, call me Sue.”
She said the same thing after Gibson, who was even more charming than Austin, called her Mrs. Novak.
“Yes, ma’am,” Ryan said.
“Good looking and they have manners? Nina why aren’t you dating men like this?”
Because Nana, these guys are much older, successful, and they’d never be interested in a girl like me.
The guys ignored the part about dating but thanked her for the compliments.
“Are you hungry for dinner?” I asked, knowing she wouldn’t stay awake for long after we ate.
Austin helped me make chicken and veggies while Ryan and my grandmother argued about the sarcastic qualities of one of the show’s main characters. Nana thought he was too mean. Ryan thought he was funny.
During dinner, I told Nana I was going to visit Nikki for a few days. She was fine with that news but didn’t like hearing that I’d arranged for her to stay at a care facility while I was gone.
This would be so much easier if she could stay here. Dwelling on it didn’t help, so I put on a smile and begged, “Will you please do it for me?”
“Okay, Nina, if it’ll make you feel better, I’ll go for a couple of days.”
Austin and Ryan carried the rest of the dinner conversation while I did my best to enjoy the last few hours I’d have with my grandmother.
Stop it. It’s not like you’ll be gone forever. You’ll see her again.
“Mrs. Novak, I bet you were a knockout when you were young,” Ryan said.
“Oh shush. I was just an average girl.”
“I don’t believe that for a minute,” Austin said.
I answered when someone asked me a question. I smiled when it was appropriate and laughed on cue. I shoved food into my mouth and chewed it because I had to.
Guilt ate at me. Fear consumed me.
When my grandmother went to the bathroom, I said, “I don’t think I can keep lying.”
“We’ll help you.” When Austin placed his hand over mine, I stopped fidgeting.
After dinner, Ryan offered to wash the dishes so Austin and I could sit with Nana in the living room.
“Dear, would you like some tea?” Nana asked.
“I’ll make it. You guys want some?” I offered.
They agreed, so I filled the pot, grateful she’d asked.
Tea was our pre-bed ritual, and I knew she’d be ready for bed shortly after finishing her cup. Because she went to bed so early, I wouldn’t have to explain why Austin and G were staying the night.