Elliot beams as Scarlet slaps his arm and scolds him, “Put your damn clothes on, I do not want to see that.”
He pulls her into him, tucking her under his arm. “Happy birthday, Scar.”
I stand watching as the boys all greet Scarlet and wish her a happy birthday. Checking my phone, I notice it’s nearly six o’clock. I expected Mason to be back hours ago.
I go to the kitchen and dial his number.
“Hey,” he answers, a calm settling over me as his voice drifts through the phone.
“Sorry, I was just worried. Where are you? Is your dad okay?”
“I’m nearly home. Are the boys there?” he asks, not answering my other question.
“Yeah, I think your sister’s had a great day. Although we are all slightly tipsy.” I giggle into the phone.
“Good, she deserves it.”
I frown at his tone. “Are you okay?”
“I’m just pulling in, angel, I’m on my way up.” And then he hangs up.
We sit around the fire pit on Mason’s balcony. The evening air has a slight chill to it, but Scarlet wanted to be outside so we found as many blankets as we could to wrap up in.
I lie between Mason’s legs on the lounger, watching as our friends drink and chat together.
“How did the appointment go?” I whisper into his neck.
His grip on my waist tightens and I lift my head so I can see his face. “Not great.” His eyes find Scarlet across the fire. “But I’m glad I went with him.”
I smooth my hand up his chest, a tight smile pulling at my lips. “Whatever happens, we’re here for you, all of us,” I say, looking around at our friends.
He kisses my head, then shifts his hips, digging around under him. “Your phone.” He holds it in front of us as we both stare at the screen.
Mum.
SEVENTEEN
Nina
My mum only ever calls when she wants money. I know this. So why do I have such a hard time ignoring her name as it flashes on my screen?
“You’d think it would be easy to ignore her calls after what you told me.” I mutter, reclining back into the safe confinement of Mason’s chest.
He wraps me up in his arms, breathing me in. “You should do what you think is right. Either way, I’m here for you.”
“I don’t want to speak to her, but I feel bad if I ignore her. And then when I do answer her calls, I’m always left feeling shitty. You probably think I’m stupid for even entertaining her.”
“She’s your mother, maybe not morally, but genetically she will always be a part of you, and I accept that if it means there’s a you in the world.”
I dip my head back, looking at him upside down. “Smooth, Bossman.”
He chuckles, leaning forward to kiss me. “Can I kick them out yet?” He flicks his eyes towards our friends.
I follow his gaze, catching Elliot and Lucy deep in conversation. Lucy has had a skinful this evening and I should get her to bed, but I know Elliot is harmless. She seems to be herself around him, compared to the perfected Lucy she fronts to the rest of the world—not many people get that side of her.
“No, let them stay. This place is too big for the two of us, and I like them being here.”
He rests his chin on my shoulder. “Me too,” he admits.
