Wild Nights With My Brother’s Ex-Best Friend novel Chapter 129

NICOLE

I step back and take a good look at my reflection in the mirror.

I look good.

That I have to admit.

Earlier, when I picked out this dress in the really expensive boutique I went to, I asked myself why I was even bothering to dress up when I didn’t want to attend that gala. But Mason’s renting an expensive suit for the occasion, so I guess dressing up only makes sense in this scenario.

There’s a necklace I inherited from Katie around my neck along with matching earrings dangling from my ears.

They’re gorgeous and remind me of her. I look great-like someone who actually belongs in such an event.

Mason agrees when he leans against my doorframe with folded arms. “You look so out of place amongst all this junk in your room. It’s ridiculous.”

“I’ll take that as a good thing.”

My brother sighs, already tired of me. “Duh, Nicole.”

I run my hands down the front of my dress to smooth down imaginary wrinkles. The truth is that I’m still nervous, and no effort I put into fixing my appearance willhelp me with that.

I mention this to Mason and his response is, “I’m shitting my pants too, okay? I don’t know what I’m supposed to be doing there. Look, you can’t stand in front of the mirror all night, so let’s go so we can get this done and over with and maybe make it home in time for my favorite show.”

I chortle. “You’re thinking about watching TV after all of this? Are you insane?”

“Am I supposed to lie in bed and obsessively think about the gala when it’s done? I’m not like you. At all. Things happen and then they don’t. That’s it.”

1 sigh. How I wish I shared his mentality.

As he locks his apartment door, he mentions, “It’s not like the guy will hurt us in a public place, right?”

I swallow and nod in agreement. “Right.”

“Unless it’s a weird scenario where everyone is wearing a mask and they’re ready to sacrifice us or something.

What? Don’t look at me like that. The Bruiser isn’t above that, you know? I mean, what does he even want from you?”

“I don’t know. This isn’t the movies, Mason. Things like that don’t happen!”

Mason gives me a doubtful look and his mood darkens for a handful of seconds. We make it downstairs, and I make sure to look left and right to see if Haley is around,watching. I’ve been doing that since | caught her slipping the note under the door. Wow, what a maniac. I’m still not over that, by the way.

I even had a very vivid nightmare about it. Only, in that version, she had fangs.

It was totally ridiculous.

What did she even mean by what she said? That’s the part that creeps me out the most.

Once we’re on the road, I relax a little. Somehow, I find it reassuring that Mason is as scared as I am. At least this isn’t a scenario where I’m being stupid and paranoid for no reason. Then again, it makes perfect sense for me to be nervous because The Bruiser blackmailed me into going.

“How long until we get there?”

“Nicole.”

“What?”

“Don’t!”

A small laugh escapes. “Literally, what is your problem?”

You’re making me more anxious with your crap!” he exclaims. “Just don’t ask questions! What does it matter, how long it’ll be? We’ll get there eventually.”

“It’s the truth. You’re too sentimental for your own good. I love Ma, but that’s not going to make her any less dead than she is.” He pauses as we enter the ballroom and then sighs. “I don’t know. Sometimes it feels like we never knew who she truly was.”

“The version we knew is the one that counts.”

He smiles down at me and we join the throng of people inside. I immediately figure out that / was right—my dress, as expensive as it was—is no match for the gowns the women here are dressed in. Oh, well. I guess it was stupid trying to compare myself to people who have so much money they can wipe their asses with it.

The luxury…I think the chandelier might be made out of pure gold and diamonds. They’re shining so bright I have to look away so the glare doesn’t burn my eyes. Waiters are walking around, offering champagne and canapés.Everyone smells so good.

“Don’t mind if I do,” Mason mumbles before reaching for a glass.

When one is offered to me, I refuse. Mason shakes his head at me. “Do yourself a favor and stuff your face with alcohol, Nicole. You don’t really want to be sober for this, do you?”

“I think I do.”

“Oh, well. Suit yourself.”

I start looking around for The Bruiser. I haven’t let go of Mason’s arm yet I don’t feel safe enough to do it. I see a whole bunch of middle-aged men, but he’s nowhere to be found. He has to be here, though, right? Where else would he be?

He asked me to come here. Commanded it, really.

“My boss is over there,” Mason proclaims. “Come on. We’ll find The Bruiser later. Or maybe he’ll find us.”

Mason introduces me to his work colleagues, and I meet everyone. I’m surprised his girlfriend isn’t here, but I’ll ask him about it later. I start looking around again, unable to contain my anxiety.

My eyes bulge when I see Roman instead of The Bruiser.

He’s standing several feet away from me, distracted with a drink in his hand, and he’s talking to a blonde man I’ve never seen before. What’s he doing here?