Wild Nights With My Brother's Ex-Best Friend novel Chapter 89

NICOLE

I take a deep breath as I push the key into the lock.

Here goes nothing.

Roman catches my arm before I enter the apartment, and my eyes meet his. Just the fact that he's standing out here makes me feel terrible. Now, I'm more sure than ever that I don't want him involved.

"Anything you need, just let me know, alright?"

I nod and open the door. It smells like they've had breakfast not too long ago, and for some reason, I don't know why that makes me feel worse.

It's like I'm interrupting their normal cycle, but there's nothing normal about any of this.

Mason's in the kitchen, doing the dishes. He turns his head to look at me and I shut the door quickly so he won't see Roman at all. "You're back...later than I expected," he comments. "What happened?"

"I came in too late," I explain, closing the distance between us. "I didn't want to wake you up or anything, so I spent the night somewhere else."

"Would've been fine if you just showed up, Nicole. You know that." He flicks his hands to dry them, then eyes me with a furrowed brow. "What? You don't look...what's the matter?"

My gaze flickers to the corridor. It's empty, so I can only assume that Haley's in the bedroom. "I need to talk to you."

The way he tenses up fills me with hesitancy. "What's the matter? What is it this time?"

"It has nothing to do with me," I reassure him. God, this is so hard for me to do. Why can't I just get the words out? "This is about Haley."

Mason rests his hands on the countertop and tilts his head to the side. He doesn't even ask me anything; I just know that I have to continue.

"She's not who you think she is," I finally say, getting the words out. It feels like my voice isn't a part of my body. Like I'm saying these things but I'm not at the same time. "It kills me to have to say this to you, Mason. It really does. But Haley—"

The bedroom door opens and she steps out. When she sees me, she keeps her eyes on me, and the closer she gets, the angrier I get. "Nicole. I thought you'd be back by yesterday. How was the trip?"

I don't answer her, and my brother doesn't take his eyes off my face. Haley looks back and forth between us. "Uh-oh. What's going on? Am I interrupting something?"

"No, you're not," I retort. "In fact, I'm glad that you're here, because that means I get to talk directly to you."

Haley puts her hands up and gets all defensive. "Whoa. Why're you talking to me this way, Nicole? What's the matter with you?"

"I could ask you the same thing," I grit out. "Why don't you tell my brother all about what you did last week? Why don't you tell him where you were and with whom?"

I see shock written all over her face. Now she knows that I don't. Her eyes find Mason's, and she shakes her head. "I don't know what she told you, but it's a lie."

"She didn't tell me anything," Mason claims dryly. "Spit it out, Nicole. Where was she?"

"With Roman. Trying to get him back. Sending him risky texts and claiming..." I look over at him. It kills me to have to say this. "Claiming she would leave you for him. And that she only used you to make him jealous, even after all this time."

The silence in this apartment is loud. Haley's eyes haven't left mine. She's furious now, but I couldn't care less. She's a damn cheater, and she doesn't deserve my brother's love.

"Fuck you, Nicole," is what she says to me. "You're just trying to ruin my relationship so you can have your brother all to yourself, isn't it? You want him fully available to fund your loser lifestyle, and you want me out of the way!"

"Don't listen to them!" Haley yells. I narrow my eyes at her, disgusted by the performance. "They're lying! Both of them!"

"You call," Roman claims.

Mason steps away from him, and he looks so defeated that I want to go to him and comfort him. I know his heart is broken. "Just get out. Nicole, out. I need to be alone right now."

I'm shocked by his words, and I've never felt more betrayed. "Mason! I'm your sister!"

His eyes meet mine. "I need time alone with her."

Something passes between us, and though I don't want to leave, I understand. I look at Roman, who nods at me. I step toward my brother and plead, "Don't do anything stupid. Please."

"Stupid's what she deserves," Roman quips.

Haley scoffs. "You weren't saying that when you ate my cunt last week, asshole."

Shock slams into me, and then I meet Haley's eyes while Roman says, "You're a fucking liar, Haley. I wouldn't touch you with a ten-foot pole."

"Both of you out!" Haley yells. There's a wild look in her eyes now. "You want to walk, Mason? Then let's talk!"

Before I can hear more, Roman drags me outside.

And the door is slammed right in our faces.