Wild Nights With My Brother’s Ex-Best Friend novel Chapter 165

NICOLE

I stop by Mason’s after work to grab my things.

It’s time to get this done, even if it breaks my heart. I’ve lived with Mason for most of my life and I’m thankful to him for so much that he’s done for me.

In fact, I do find myself wishing that things between us could’ve ended in a better way, and I hate that Haley is the one who got between us.

Haley, of all people.

But I take a few deep breaths to calm myself because she’s never been worth it and I won’t cause trouble. I’m not here for that.

That’s why I decide to give him a call before heading into the apartment. The last thing I want to do is invade his privacy.

He answers on the third ring. “Hey, Nicole. Is everything alright?”

“Yeah, I’m just…here to pick up my things. I was wondering if I could come up.”

“Come on, Nicolé.”

“What?”

“Don’t do this.”

I’m so confused by what he’s saying. “Do what? What am I trying to do exactly, Mason?”

“You know you can walk into that apartment whenever you want,” he claims. “Look, I know you can’t stand Haley but I don’t think things need to be this extreme.”

“I’m only trying to be respectful, Mason.””I’m not in at the moment, but she is. I just had to buy a few things. N be there in about half an hour, give or take.”

“Then I’d rather come back later.”

“That’s exactly what I’m talking about!” he grits out. I can tell he sounds frustrated already, and I genuinely don’t understand what I’m doing wrong here.

“Mason, you know Haley and I don’t get along anymore. I’m just trying to avoid conflict, alright? I don’t want any trouble.”

“There’s no reason for that. You don’t have to worry about trouble because there’ll be none. There’s no reason why we can’t all be civilized about this.”

I sigh. I’m getting irritated by this conversation, too, so I think it’s best if we end it. “Fine, Mason. Whatever you say. I’ll grab my things as quickly as I can and leave, alright? Hopefully by the time you get here, T’ll be gone.”

“Fine.”

He hangs up first and I stare at the phone and scoff. Mason’s my brother and I love him, but I have a hard time understanding him sometimes.

Genuinely, what did I do wrong?

I head upstairs, bracing myself to face Haley. I’m not looking forward to this at all but I guess I do have to be more mature about all this.

Besides, why am I the one who wants to do the hiding when she’s the one who was dishonest from the start?

She’s the one who should be ashamed of my presence and not look forward to seeing me, not the other way around.

I stop in front of the door and raise my hand to knock. Then, I

remember Mason’s words and decide to use my key to unlock the door.

Haley sits in the living room, watching me carry my things to my car as back. I should’ve just taken Roman’s offer for him to come with me, but I genuinely didn’t want conflict.

Now, I have to do this all on my own while trying not to drop anything or hurt myself.

During my last trip, I find Haley in the kitchen and not in the living room. She’s watching me with a look that lets me know that she has something on her mind.

“You didn’t retaliate to what I told you,” she begins. I’m genuinely shocked that she’s talking to me, especially after what she said. “Hm.

You must be losing your touch.”

“What the hell do you want from me?”

“I don’t know. I think expecting anything from you is…bound to bedisappointing.” She rubs her belly and I know she’s doing it on purpose.

“A few years down the line, Roman will realize that marrying you was a mistake. You can’t give him heirs. His precious good looks will go to waste because he didn’t find a real woman.”

“Like who? You?” lask, fuming. “If he wanted you, he would’ve had you.

Stop wasting your rancid breath trying to provoke me because it won’t work. You’re insignificant. Just someone bitter who’s always lived for others and never rode herself. And the day my brother realizes that will be the best day of my life. And he will. Mason’s smart, and you’re… not.”

I start toward the door, happy with myself for keeping my cool. I won’t have to come back here and deal with her again. This is my last trip.

But before I reach the door, I hear Haley walking toward me quickly, and when I turn around, she slaps me right across the face.

I don’t even think about it. I slap her back, cursing at her, and that’s when Mason walks in.