Page 56 of Falling for Nicole
Chapter Twelve
Nicole
The second the door slams and I see the looks on everyone’s faces, I know exactly who just gate crashed our party. I really thought Lilly would listen to me and not get involved, but from the look on both her and Susan’s faces, I would hazard a guess that they’re both involved in his sudden appearance.
After a few moments, everyone’s attention turns to me. I feel my already pounding heart pick up even more pace as my face burns hot under their stares.
“Nicole.” The deep rumble of his voice sends shivers through me. I want to hate him for what he’s done, damn it. “Can we please talk?”
“No.” My response comes out as a whisper.
“Nicole?”
“No, I’ve got nothing to say to you.” My voice is a little stronger this time, but I still refuse to turn around. Seeing him will loosen my resolve; I need to be stronger than that—Ideserveto be stronger than that, to fight for what’s right.
“That’s a shame, because I’ve got plenty I want to say to you.”
“I’m sure you have, you cheating shit,” I shout, and a couple of gasps sound out around the room from those who aren’t aware of the situation. My anger over not only what he’s done but also that he’s ruining our evening suddenly gets the better of me. I stand and turn towards him. The sight is like a slap to the face. He looks exhausted. If I didn’t know he’d brought this all on himself, I might feel a little sorry for him.
“Nicole, please, just hear me out. Whatever you think you know isn’t right.”
“Are you saying I’m making it up? That I didn’t seeherleaving your room after having a roll around your bed?”
“Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying. Can we please have this conversation in private?” he asks, looking around at our spectators.
“Whatever you’ve got to say, you can say in front of them, especially if you’re so innocent.”
“Why don’t you go next door? There’s a conference room,” Lilly says, but I ignore her, not wanting to be alone with him, especially after a couple of cocktails and a glass or two of wine. We all know what happens once I’ve had a few drinks.
“No. He’s leaving.” Standing with my hands on my hips, I give Declan a hard stare, hoping it’ll be enough to make him retreat. Unfortunately, he seems to get off on me being angry, so he just stands and stares back.
The silent conversation goes on between us for a few seconds, me demanding that he leaves and him begging for me to hear him out. If he thinks I’m caving to him, he clearly doesn’t know me very well.
“I didn’t do anything,” he says eventually. His voice has lost the hard edge from when he first crashed in. “I haven’t seen her since sorting your house out, I swear.”
“She was leaving your room looking like she’d been fucked six ways from Sunday.” Another couple of gasps sound out. “She said she left you showering. I didn’t want to believe her but sure as shit, when I walked into your room you’d just got out of the fucking shower. You’re a cheating arsehole, Declan, and you need to leave. Right now.” My hands shake as I try to contain the emotions swirling around inside me. The panicked look on his face makes me almost want to give him some time alone to properly explain, but then the image of Georgia walking down his stairs pops back into my head, and I remember why he doesn’t deserve any of my time.
Everyone looks between the two of us as they wait for what’s going to happen next. I’m grateful that they’re all here, because they’re helping give me the strength I need to see this through.
“Nic—”
“LEAVE!” I scream. The first of many sobs erupt as I fight back the tears filling my eyes.
I see Susan get up in the corner of my eye and she walks towards Dec. They’re too far away for me to hear what they say, but after a long, painful look in my direction, she eventually manages to direct him out of the room.
The second he disappears from my view, I fall back down onto the sofa and drop my head into my hands. Arms immediately wrap around my shoulders; I’ve no idea who they belong to, but I don’t really care.
After a few minutes, I feel the person at my right move and be replaced by another.
“Shhh, angel,” Susan whispers in my ear as she rubs her hand down my back in that soothing way only a mother can. It’s comforting, but it also brings the weight of loss I still feel daily down on my shoulders once again, and my sobs start back up.
I’m lost to whatever is happening around me. I know I should be trying to pull myself together for Molly’s sake, but I’m too far gone. Everything Dec has put me through on top of everything I was trying to deal with already has pushed me over the edge.
“Nicole, drink this,” someone says, and I just about drag my head up to see a glass of amber liquid in front of my face. Liv gives me a small smile as I take it from her and knock it back. “And this one.” Another appears, and I repeat my previous actions, only this time I feel the burn.
Squeezing my eyes tight and wiping the tears and make up off my cheeks, I try to muster the strength to face everyone. I don’t want to see the sympathy in their eyes, theshe’s lost her mum and now her boyfriend has cheated on herlook.
I’m nicely surprised when I look up because apart from Susan, Lilly and Liv who are surrounding me, the others have gone back to enjoying themselves. I’m relieved I’m not dragging the whole party down with my depressing life.
