The Grand Pact (The Grand Men #1)(100)

“I’m sure I can find something to keep me busy.” I give her a forced smile, already knowing I won’t be doing anything.

“She’s going to come home at the end of her internship, she told me. She said that Maxwell knows it’s only temporary.”

I don’t answer Nina, but I do inhale her words as if I’m starved.

“I know she hurt you, but I get the feeling he isn’t what you think he is to her.” She gently brushes her fingers over my still swollen hand. “It doesn’t make it okay. I know that. But I think you should talk to her. Give her a call or send a text. I plan to give her a giant shake when I see her.”

I feel her eyes on me as we continue to walk around the terrace to the front of the house.

“I’m a fine one to talk, but if I’ve learnt anything in life, it’s that sometimes we have to face the bad shit it throws at us. It’s easy to ignore, but it’s still going to be there at the end of the day.”

I come to a stop, pushing my hands into my pockets as I turn and look down at her. “Sometimes, yes.” I give her a look, knowing she will understand exactly what I mean. “And sometimes, it fucks you so hard, all you can do is ignore it.” Leaning down, I place a kiss on her head. “Have a good time, yeah? I had Oscar get the skis ready for Ellis. I want him out on the water.”

I walk down the steps to my car, opening the boot.

“Grab these cases, Lowell.”

“This isn’t right!” She jogs down the steps and takes Megan’s case, then Charlie’s. “I’m so sorry.”

I close the boot and then climb into my car, opening my window.

“Me too, Pix,” I tell her, throwing her a strained smile before tearing off down the driveway.





Lucy





Never have I been in the company of my people and felt like I don’t belong. And maybe it isn’t me, maybe it’s the man standing beside me that makes this feel so wrong.

I close my eyes to try and block out the twisting feeling in my stomach.

My friends haven’t got off the plane yet, but I can see them from my spot on the tarmac. Nina’s hustling around with the bags in tow, and Mason is giving orders to everyone around him. I spot Megan and then Charlie.

Why do I feel so nervous to see them all?

Why did I even agree to come?

It would’ve been so much easier to stay in New York.

They all know about Elliot and me. Everyone but Max.

“You’re nervous,” he says, sliding his hand into mine.

I realise he’s been watching me and force a smile. “I’m okay.”

I consider what it would be like to go back to New York without him. Would I feel like I did in the week that Elliot stopped speaking to me? The horrible week alone before Maxwell showed back up.

For a time, he was all I had to rely on.

“I haven’t seen them all in so long.”

Maxwell nods and looks towards the windows. “They brought the kids?”

I nod, a smile playing on my lips. “Yeah, they go everywhere with them.”

Ellis stomps to the top of the steps, and Mason grabs his little hand. He doesn’t see me standing by the car, and I have to step forward toward the steps to gain his attention.

Once he spots me, every doubt and worry in my mind drifts away.

“Auntie Luce!”

He charges me once he reaches the bottom step, hurtling into my arms and holding on to me for dear life.

“Ah, I missed you so much, Ellis, baby!”

“Ave here too!”

Scarlet climbs down the steps with Waverly in her arms. Nina follows with Megan, their driver Vinny, and Charlie.

I smile as I take them all in, quickly standing straight with Ellis in my arms.

“Hey!” Megan pulls me into a hug, squishing Ellis in the process. “God, I’ve missed your face.”

“I missed you too!”

“Luce! I’m so glad you’re here!” Scarlet gushes, coming to kiss my cheek.

“Me too! It’s going to be the best week,” I say, forcing the words and barely believing them.

We stand looking at one another, and I know they’re trying to figure out all the parts I haven’t told them.

Mason takes a step toward us, and I give him a tentative smile. He meets my eyes, his lips set in a grim line before he takes a sleepy Waverly from Scarlet’s arms and moves to speak to someone at the door of the plane.

Something inside me jars.

Charlie takes my upper arms and gives me a genuine smile. “Ignore him. It’s good to see you, Luce.” He turns to Maxwell, who’s stood just behind me and holds out his hand. “Charlie Aldridge.”

I watch as Maxwell takes his hand, his eyes climbing up Charlie’s athletic frame. “Maxwell.”

“Pleasure to meet you, Maxwell.”

Charlie carries on to the cars, and I turn to the girls. “This is Max,” I say, nerves making my hand shake as I smooth out the hem of my dress.

“Hi!” Megan grins, shaking his hand.

Nina and Scarlet both offer the same politeness, and then we awkwardly make our way to the cars that are lined up.

With Maxwell here, I feel the need to babysit him—not that he would ask that of me, but he’s my guest, and I don’t want to leave him on his own. The girls all file into one car with the kids, and I want to be in there with them.