I storm down the stairs and shove the door open, but he’s right behind me. “That’s bullshit. You’re just afraid to be on your own. You’ve gotten so used to them taking care of everything that you-”
Turning, I hold my hand up, right in his face. “Shut up andlisten. Because you’re not getting it. I take care of myself just fine. I do whatever I want to do, and they make itbetter. It’s called fucking compromise. I don’t need to be taken care of. I don’t need a hero to save me from four men I love. I just need you to leave me the fuck alone so I can get through this hangover without getting tossed out of a hotel for kicking you in the balls. Got it?”
“Well, it looks like your men have company. Maybe I’m not the only one who’s noticed issues.” Neal sneers before walking away.
Roman’s eyes are on me. Actually, just about everyone in the lobby is staring at me, except for the girl who is touching Holden, stroking his arm, and leaning towards him like she can just have him.
Gunner jogs over and takes my hand. “Well said, sweets.”
“Who is … what?”
“Holden’s ex apparently decided to show up.” Gunner whispered. “Also uninvited.”
“But … But she’s not on the to-do list!”
HOLDEN
This is a nightmare. I just look over Nancy as she keeps petting my arm. The only thing she’s said is that she can’t believe I’m alive. Apparently, she thought I died overseas. Imagine that. Then she heard I was getting married from my brother – because Aaron can’t keep his fucking mouth shut – and had to see it to believe it.
And now Sophie’s yelling about someone getting the fuck out of her life. I lift my head and see Neal stalking away, glaring at us. Gunner goes to Sophie and I fight the urge to do the same. She doesn’t need to be overwhelmed.
Nancy strokes my arm again. “We should talk. I have so much to tell you and we need to catch up.”
“I’m getting married,” I say simply.
“I know, but …” Her nearly gold eyes glisten with tears. “I thought you were dead. Dead! Do you know what that did to me?”
I just stare at her. She hugs me and I keep standing there, not sure what to do. It’s been over a decade since I saw her. Longer since she touched me. I’ve kicked her so far out of my brain that I’m not sure what to do now that she’s standing right in front of me waiting for me to respond like I owe her that.
“I’m … I’m getting married in five days, Nancy.”
“You don’t have to.” She breathes. “You don’t. Don’t rush. Just talk to me, let’s get everything out on the table and we can … we can get lunch and – please, Holden. You don’t know how … how much of a miracle this is.”
I close my eyes a moment. Fucking hell. This shouldn’t even be a question in my head. It’s an obvious no. It should be. But I don’t know that I can actually tell her no. Not when we have the history we do.
Nick looks at me and I know he’s heard everything. He nods once. When I say nothing, he shoos me. “Go. We’ll take care of Sophie.”
“But-”
“Please, Holden. Just one lunch. That’s it. That’s all I’m asking.” Nancy clutches me tighter like she needs me to survive.
Have I ever been able to hurt her? Six years together and the only time I dug my heels in was when she asked me to leave my platoon and stay. It would have saved my leg, but I would have lost so much. The only time I’ve ever made her cry. The only time I’ve ever told her no without compromise.
After an unsteady breath, I nod. “You have to let me go.”
She does as I ask, then I walk with her to the restaurant in the hotel. We sit on the veranda, the sun shining down on us. It’s mid-summer, but not nearly as hot as it feels in New York. I’m sure the ice slinking through my veins doesn’t help.
Because I know that Sophie is going to be hurt by this. I know it as well as I know that not fighting with Nancy means I’m going to fight with Sophie. Days before our wedding. Gunner tried to handle it, tried to step in, but Nancy is hard to stop. Her softness covers her ambition and determination well.
She orders soda water with a lime twist and I get a coffee. Because I need it. I drink it black, trying to keep a hold of myself. Nancy swallows, and orders some food. I do the same and swallow the scalding coffee before setting it down.
“You’re alive.” She says then laughs once. “I still can’t believe it.”
“I am.”
“And engaged. And doing well apparently.”
I nod.