Chapter 49
Niki
Ioffer my parents my hand before they head to their room. “I’ll use sanitiser after. Sorry,” I say.
“Don’t apologise, ever,” Dad says, although it loses a little sweetness due to his gruffness.
“Would it be helpful if we used the sanitiser first?” Mum offers.
Rosie pulls the sanitiser from her bag, passes it to my dad, who applies it, and gives it to Mum.
I hold my mum’s hand for the first time since my accident. I’m not shaking or scared, but my nose itches with tears.
“Your girlfriend is lovely, although a little young for you,” Dad whispers as he takes my hand.
“She’s not my girlfriend.” But I wish she were.
“Not yet,” Mum replies, and I roll my eyes. “We’ll see you tomorrow and have you over for dinner in the next couple of weeks. Send me any specifications you have for what I need to do to make it work for you.”
“Thank you. I want to hug you, but I’m not there yet. I will be.”
Her smile makes my heart open a little more.
As I wave them goodbye, I say, “Connor and Senna, can we chat before you go?”
Senna nods for both of them.
“Rosie, I’ll be up in a bit. I meant to say, I’m happy to take the sofa. Sorry I couldn’t get an extra room for you.”
“I can’t believe the great Niki Coulter couldn’t get two rooms instead of one,” she says with a wink. “You’re trying to seduce me.”
“You know there’s something big in town called the Grand Prix?” I nudge her. “Make the most of the room. Grab something from the mini bar. You don’t need to look after me now. Have a bath or whatever.”
She sighs and tips her head. “I haven’t had a bath in years.”
An idea pops into my head, and I drag my hand across the nape of my neck. “Wait at the bar for ten minutes. I’ll be back in a second.”
“When you’re up to something, you pull on the back of your neck.”
I roll my eyes and smirk. “Just wait here.”
Rosie stands in the lift. Her brows furrow, and I wink as the doors close.
Connor and Senna hold hands, giggling at the bar. Their happiness gives them the glow I yearn for. I’ll get there. I’ll be worthy of the woman I’m falling for.
I rub my hair, trying not to hide my scars. I glance left and right, but no one stares at me.
“Where did you get your haircut?” Connor asks as I join them.
“Rosie did it yesterday,” I say before ordering a gin. The staff knows me, thanks to Rosie’s preparation, and they make it to my cleanliness specifications.
As I turn, I catch my sister’s knowing glance. “What?”
“She really likes you,” Connor says.
I sigh loudly.
“He’s right. I don’t want to sound like the team gossip, but she does.
She cares about you and shines brighter when you’re around.
I saw her at the team coffee shop. The second you walked in, it was like a Christmas village when all the lights are turned on at once.
Happiness twinkles from her when you’re close,” Senna says.
“That was a lot more poetic than what I said,” Connor grunts folding his arms.
“Stop showing off those forearms.”
“You love it.”
“Can you two not right now?” I say, breaking up their moment. “It doesn’t matter what you say about Christmas lights. Tabi’s the most important person for her, as she should be, and when she sees me, she sees someone who adds complications.”
“Then show her what it could be like. Go big,” Connor says.
Senna jumps in. “No, don’t listen to him. Don’t go big. Be genuine. Tell her how you feel and that you’re there for her and want to be there for Tabi as well. You two act more like boyfriend and girlfriend than boss and assistant. Show her what you can give her.”
“A guy with health anxiety who panics about a meal with his family?”
My sister holds her hands up as if she’s about to touch me but stops. “Sorry. Sometimes I want to shake you.”
I shrug. I want to shake me, too.
“Show her you’re there for her, no matter what. Watching you over the last six months, and now understanding you better, I’ve seen a guy who gives even when it scares him. You have so much heart.”
“I’ve shown her that.”
“Show her again.”
“How?”
“You’ll think of something.”
“You have that dick that’s nearly as big as mine,” Connor says, which earns him Senna’s glare.
“You realise how unhelpful you two are?” I beckon them to a table in the corner. “Anyway, I wanted to apologise to both of you for the last year.”
“You don’t need to apologise,” Senna replies.
“I do. I was a dick when I learned you were together, even though you held off from saying anything because you were worried about me.” They nod. “And before that, I left without explanation and came back without saying anything. I knew you’d try to fix me if I said something.”
“But—”
“He’s right,” Connor says, stopping Senna’s denials. “We said the same while he was away.”
“I thought it was a fear of driving, like Connor had.”
“That’s another thing. I’m sorry you carried that, Con, and that I didn’t do anything to help. I was so busy thinking about myself, I didn’t consider others. I’ll be better. I’m here for you both and the team. Whatever you need, tell me.”
“You’re doing everything already. And now I know why you had restrictions about overnights and why you were awkward during interviews, especially when someone tried to shake your hand. If there’s anything we do that makes you uncomfortable, tell us,” Senna says.
“I don’t like it when Connor says lovey-dovey stuff to you or talks about you two having…you know…on the bonnet of the Lambo,” I say quickly.
“Anything but that. I adore Senna,” Connor retorts, “and one day, I’ll ask her to marry me.”
“Get on with it, then.” I smirk.
“I love you, Niki. Can I hold your hands? I’ll get sanitiser,” Senna says so keenly that I wish I’d shared everything sooner.
“Yes, I’d love to hold your hands.” I look at Connor. “Yours too, buddy.”
“Because you love me.” Connor grins.
“I do.”
They rush to the bar, and I check my phone. How can I show Rosie I’m the one for her?
At a message from her, I’m grinning so wide I’m worried my jaw will break.
Rosie: You made me a bath. No one’s made me a bath before. It smells so good, and where did you get candles? It’s the best thing ever. I don’t have enough thank yous.
The follow up message gives my cock ideas I can’t act on.
Rosie: And don’t worry about the sofa. The bed’s big enough for a family to sleep in. I’m sure we can control ourselves for one night.