The Grand Pact (The Grand Men #1)(23)

“It’s hardly anything strong, Luce.” Nina shakes her head, eyes soft and encouraging. “You’ll be fine.”

She’s talking about the medicine but also everything else: the flight, hotel, my first day, first night. I’m crapping it and barely slept a wink last night.

I got up early when I was sure sleep wasn’t coming and cleaned the apartment. Megan will be taking over the rent and said she would tell me if it became too much. She has a good job and can cover it, but I still feel bad. We’ve lived together since university, and I’m almost certain she will love living alone. It’s always been me who hasn’t wanted to change our setup.

“Luce, they’re calling your gate again.” I turn and look at my mum. She’s standing with my dad watching me. Everyone is. It’s hard to read the uncertainty on their faces right now.

Is it because they don’t believe I can do this? Is it all in my head? Maybe they’re just as sad as me. This is a goodbye, after all.

“Okay. I better go then.” I shrug and stop at the bottom of the escalators.

My blurred gaze drifts around the group, and I don’t try to hide it. I don’t focus on anyone for too long, but when I see my parents take a step forwards, I step into their arms. My face nestles between them, and I use it to shield my emotions.

I knew I’d cry.

“You’ll call me when you land, yes?”

I nod and lift my head, smiling at my mum. I take in her dark hair peppered with little greys that are nearly ready to be covered again. Her small nose and perfect brows, I always loved the way Mum did her brows. The technician lady always told me she couldn’t do mine the same because they weren’t as naturally thick. I memorise everything as if I don’t have access to photos and I won’t see her again. Silly.

“I’ll miss you guys so much!” I sniff, hiding my face again.

“We are so proud of you, Darling. You know that, don’t you?” my mum tells me, my dad nodding in agreement.

“Thank you, guys.”

I step away and turn to Charlie. He pulls me into a hug then gives me a wink. “Good luck.”

“Luce, babe, you need to go!” The panic in Nina’s voice makes my heart squeeze and my stomach knot.

I’m not ready.

I don’t want to leave them all.

“Lucy.” I turn and find Mason. Ellis is clutched up in his arms, and I grab up his hand. “Come on, girl. You can do this.”

I step closer. “Mase—”

“She. Will. Be. Fine,” he tells me, knowing what I was going to say. “If not, expect her first class and encased in bubble wrap.”

I chuckle and hug him quickly. “You be good for Mummy and Daddy, Ellis.”

He blows me a kiss, and I pretend to catch it.

My flight gets announced again, and I swallow the lump in my throat, but it doesn’t stop the tears. It just makes it burn worse.

“Come here, Morgan.” Elliot heaves me up, and my legs instinctively wrap around him.

“Elliot, put me down!” I hiss, feeling mortified and hiding my face in his neck.

“If I only get thirty seconds to say goodbye, I’m doing it properly.” He strolls towards the escalator and takes my bag from Nina. She has tears streaming down her cheeks, and it makes my smile drop along with my heart.

“Elliot, put me down.” I panic.

“If I put you down, you’ll miss your flight.”

He’s right, which I hate. I watch over Elliot’s shoulder as Nina gets wrapped up in my dad’s arms.

“I don’t think I can do this,” I whisper.

Elliot turns his head. The escalator is carrying me further and further away, and I hate it. I was brought up in a big family, with people around me constantly. How am I supposed to go to New York?

Once we reach the top of the floor, Elliot walks to the gate and lets me down. His forehead meets mine, and a tear slips free and down my face.

“Outta your head.”

I smile and take a deep breath to control my emotions.

“You should be excited.”

“I am.” I nod and force a smile. “I do want this. It’s just hard to say goodbye. I’ve never had to.”

“It’s not forever.”

“I know.”

“Twelve months.”

“I know.”

“Here.” He slips me an envelope, and I frown down at it. “Don’t open it now. It’s for when you need something to fixate on or whatever you said.”

A secret or fear.

“Ell—”

He pulls me into him tight, his heart beating strong and making everything seem okay momentarily.

“Come back to me, yeah?”

My mouth drops open a little, and I nod, not knowing what else I should do. Come back to him?

“Go! You’re going to miss your flight.”

I turn and grab my case, my lips rolling as I look between Elliot and the gate. “Bye.” I wave awkwardly, and he gives me a killer smile.

It sets me on my way, and I move to stand in line with my suitcase. I’m late, and there are only two people before me.

“Wait!” I spin as Nina’s voice calls from the top of the escalators. She runs for me and all but takes me to the ground as she bashes into the dividers that form the queue. “I thought it was best to not say goodbye because of hormones and shit, but then I couldn’t not, and I had to come say it.”