Page 113 of Begin Again
“But she can tell me it’s my fault you went missing?” Alex scoffs. “Glad to know she gets away with everything, per usual.”
“Alex,” I warn with a dry chuckle.
“Alex,” Lara says with a warning glare. “That’s enough.”
My brother looks between the three of us in disbelief before finally landing on me. “This is unbelievable. Nick, I—”
“Unless your next words are an apology to my wife, get the fuck out of my house, Alex.”
He looks at Nina, then back at me. He won’t apologize. My little brother is just as hardheaded as me and as stubborn as Pop. He doesn’t want to be wrong, and he doesn’t want to admit defeat. Alex knows he’s wrong—he’s known, and that’s why he’s been sulking around the house and avoiding her—but he doesn’t want to admit it.
And Nina being Nina…She knows he feels bad. That’s why she hasn’t said anything to me. Despite the hurt from his words, she accepted his nonexistent apology before I ever walked through the door. But it’s not good enough for me. If he wants to be around us, around me, he will apologize to her.
“And you know what? You don’t have to worry about me not being at your wedding because I’m missing. I just won’t be there.”
Nina gasps. “Nick, you don’t mean that!”
“Until he decides to get off his fucking high horse and say the words ‘I’m sorry’ for the way he’s treated you, I refuse to be around him,” I say, walking away from them without looking back.
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
Nina
One Week Later
A SENSE OF DÉJÀ vu ripples through me when I park in front of the white farmhouse. Before I have the chance to get out of the driver’s seat, the front door squeaks open and Charlie walks out onto the porch. This should be fun…
“What areyoudoing here?” Her voice is laced with venom, and if it were a bite I’m sure it would sting like a bitch.
“Your dad home?” I ask, ignoring her tone.
“Nope.”
“I have something for him. Can I trust that you’ll give to him?” I can’t stand the thought of leaving this with her, but I have no choice. I have to get back to catch our flight to New York. Steve said we have to leave on time. A storm is coming and he wants to get ahead of it.
“Depends,” Charlie says, placing her hands on her hips. “What is it?”
“None of your concern. I’d wait for him, but I have a flight to catch. Can you please make sure he gets it?”
Charlie takes the envelope when I offer it to her but doesn’t agree or disagree with my request. “What is it? Hush money?”
For the love of God.I sigh.
“Should it be?” I ask with a cocked brow.
“You tell me.”
“Just make sure he gets it,” I say, turning my back to get into the car. Time to leave before I say something I shouldn’t. I know better than to let her get to me, but to put it simply, I cannot stand this girl. How in the hell did Nick put up with her for a year? I’ve only been around her for a few minutes and it’s been more than enough for me.
“We don’t need your handouts!”
I roll my eyes, hand gripping the door handle.
“He was falling for me!” Her words make my blood run cold.
Get in the car, Nina,I say to myself.Get in the car right now and go home toyourhusband.
My fingers flex on the handle, preparing to tug it open, but Charlie opens her mouth again and I’ve had enough. “Do you honestly believe that?”
