NICOLE
I find the apartment door unlocked.
Mason’s standing in the kitchen, downing an entire bottle of wine. When he hears me approaching, he throws me a look over his shoulder that I can’t read, at least not right away, and for several moments, I hesitate.
Did I come too soon? Should I have just driven off with Roman and let my brother stay here all by himself after what happened?
I won’t even ask him if he’s okay because I already know the answer to that.
He’s not okay.
Mason slams the bottle down on the counter, then rubs his face. He looks so tired whereas he wasn’t like this an hour ago when I was here.
“I’m not sure what you want me to say to you, Nicole,” he informs me in a low voice.
“You don’t have to say anything,” I claim in the same tone. “I just want to spend so
