The Grand Pact (The Grand Men #1)(6)

“I’m ready to go,” I announce, not processing my words.

“You are?” his gravelly voice questions me while his eyes drop down my robe.

I quickly unhook my two-piece from the hanger and shimmy the skirt over my hips. “Yes!” And I also have two deliciously torturous balls lodged inside of my happy canal, which I should remove, but for some reason, I insist on rushing us out of the door instead.

This couldn’t have gone any worse.

I’m going to kill those girls.

Once I have my skirt in place, I grab my white cropped top and give Elliot the evil eye. He turns around and waits.

“Why are you early anyway?” I ask, still frustrated and trying to keep my mind off my situation.

Maybe I could make us a drink and then “go for a wee” before we leave…. That could work.

“I had a meeting with the new developers and finished early. Mase called, asked if I could go over sooner tonight and give him a hand.”

“He did?” I frown as I smooth out the band on my top that hugs my ribs, making sure my breasts are in the right place. That puts plan A out the window.

“Uh-huh.” I look up and find Elliot facing me and his gaze glued to my chest before he brings it up to my face. “Megan will go to Charlie’s and get a lift with him and the others instead.”

I roll my eyes and reach for my clutch bag. Thanks for the heads-up, Megs! I will have to sneak away at the meal and remove the balls. It’s a completely shit and unsanitary plan, but it’s all I have right now. “So, we have to go now? I haven’t even had a drink yet.”

I take a deep breath and blow it out through my mouth, my stomach churning with nerves.

I’m with “my people” tonight, so I shouldn’t be so nervous.

It’s the balls. They have me all wound up.

“Not unless there are things you need to do first?” He gives me a cheeky smile.

I narrow my gaze on him and wonder what his problem is. “Why are you acting weird?”

“I’m acting weird?” he utters, lifting his brows.

What’s that look? Have I given myself away? If I go to the bathroom, would I look suspicious?

Good God, this is stupid.

“I was a little emotional before,” I lie, knowing he’ll believe it. I’m the biggest crybaby. “With everything that happened with Miller this week.”

“Ah, of course.” He tips his chin in understanding. “Shall we hit the road then?”

I nod, rolling my lips as I follow him out of my apartment.

Why am I like this? Too embarrassed to say something when in reality, I’m close enough with Elliot to tell him the truth. But no, I stand here and swallow my words, knowing I’m going to have to sit in the car for the next thirty minutes, or however long it will take for us to get to the restaurant, with these damn balls lodged inside of me.

“You know it’s looking like it’s going to rain out.” Elliot looks at me over his shoulder, his face awash with something playful as he tells me, “You might get a little wet.”

I flinch and instantly pray he doesn’t catch it. “I am.”

“You are?”

What? “No.” I shake my head. “I mean, yes. I am going to get wet.” Oh my god, could I be any more twatish? “If it rains,” I snap, walking past him and pulling open the car door of his Aston Martin in a fluster.

I slide in, not looking across at the idiot climbing in beside me as I click my seat belt into place. I fiddle with my clutch bag and make sure I have everything before we leave, using it to distract myself. Something tells me I should’ve found a different mode of transport tonight. As much as I appreciate Elliot, he didn’t understand Miller or our relationship. I’m not in the right frame of mind for his shit tonight, and it shows when he gets in the car and starts to sing “Coño” by Jason Derulo.

“Elliot,” I groan.

He fiddles with his phone and hits a button on the dash, and the song starts to blare.

“Someone’s clearly feeling himself this evening.” I take a deep breath as the beat of the music sets my body thrumming in the seat. Glancing across at the stupidly loveable human to my right, I roll my eyes and crack a smile because it’s impossible not to when he’s around. “Just drive, Montgomery.”

“You’re looking good tonight, Luce.” He nods his head to the beat. “Straight up, you look hot.”

My insides warm at his compliment. He knows I will be fretting over how I look this evening.

I’ve not always been such a worrier, but as I’ve got older, I’ve stupidly allowed things to hold me back. I tend to lean on the people around me to guide me in life instead of making the big decisions for myself. In a way, I think it comes from being fortunate. I have so many people around me who care enough to have an opinion.

I even picked a university-based on where my best friend would be. Then I got a job as an assistant to a fashion designer because it seemed like a more me choice.

I’ve never been alone or independent.

From a young age, I had Nina, who practically lived with us. My parents are super close and would do anything for me. And my cousins and extended family are the type to meet up almost every weekend as kids. I guess this is why I feel so selfish about Miller and the news I broke to him the other night.