“Why Elliot’s parents?”
“They’re practically family. Christmas, holidays, anything family oriented was always us and the Montgomerys growing up.”
“That’s nice. You must feel like you have a lot of support?”
All but her. “I suppose I do.”
“And your sister? Will she be there?”
I smile wide. “Yes, Scar. You’ll like her.”
“Do you see her often?” she asks, pushing her hair behind her ear as she turns in her seat to face me.
“Not as often as I’d like. She’s with Dad a lot, and I don’t tend to come out to the house much anymore.”
“Why?” She frowns.
“It’s not the same as it used to be, hasn’t been for a long time.”
“Since your mum?” she asks tentatively, sounding unsure if she should be asking.
But for some reason, I don’t feel as reluctant as I normally would to share the information with her. I want her to know. I want her to understand.
I nod once. “Everything changed after she left. The house is just that now, a house. It stopped being a home the day she died.”
“Sometimes things change, Mase, and it’s completely out of our control, but you shouldn’t cut yourself off from going out to the house, no matter how daunting it is. I was scared to lose my mother for my entire childhood, yet once I let go and allowed other people in, people like Maggie, who gave me the love, support and a home that my mother couldn’t, everything seemed to get a bit easier. I’ll never understand your loss, Mase. I’m not trying to compare our situations. I’m not even sure I’ve made a solid point there?—”
I pull her hand into mine and bring it to my lips, kissing the back of it. “Thank you, Nina.”
“I’m glad you invited me.”
The dark sky looms over Lowerwick Estate, making it look every bit the nightmare I remember it. Thirteen years was all I could give my dad and Scarlet after she left. The minute I was able to move out for college, I left. Elliot was more than happy to have a place of our own, and our parents knew it was what I needed. It didn’t take much to convince them.
I swallow the bile that rises in my throat as Nina’s dainty hand slips into my palm. Her show of support.
For someone so small, she’s so strong—physically and mentally. A shield she puts up against the world that she openly invites me to stand behind.
FOURTEEN
Nina
The beautiful moonlit sky casts a shadow over the sprawling home before me. It’s magnificent. Curved granite steps lead up from the circular driveway, leading to a terrace that runs from the left and right of the double-fronted doors. Ivy creeps up and around the windows covering a third of the mansion. It must be a listed property; it’s so grand. I can’t imagine growing up in a place like this.
Mason stands unmoving at the bottom of the steps, his shoulders set and his jaw tight. I slip my hand into his and squeeze.
I’m here, Bossman.
“I can’t wait to see inside.” I swing our arms between us. “It’s stunning, Mason.”
“Come on,” he mumbles, pulling me forward and up the steps.
I can feel him shutting down already.
He ushers me through the door, taking his time to close it. He doesn’t turn around straight away, and I watch his back as he moves the champagne he had under his arm from one side to the other, then back again.
I step forward, sliding between him and the door, then reaching up, I take his face in my hands.
“Mase, we can leave?” His eyes search mine for something I’m unsure I hold. “But I would love to meet your family.”
