CHAPTER FIFTY - FOUR

NICK WALKER ©

I spotted Mum the moment I reached the front of the house.

Had she been standing outside all this time?

As I walked closer, she noticed me and came over.

“Finally, you're back,” she said with a tired smile.

I sighed and looked at her.

“Why didn't you go inside?” I asked.

She pressed her lips together and lowered her head.

I walked into the house, then looked back to see her still standing there.

“Aren't you coming in?” I asked her.

I glanced at Mira, who was sitting beside Avery on the couch. The moment she heard me, she folded her arms and frowned.

“Why is she coming in?” she asked.

I dropped my bag and went to get Mum a glass of water.

“Why would you leave her standing outside?” I asked them as I handed Mum the glass.

“I'm fine. I just wanted to wait until I saw you,” Mum said as she looked over at Mira, having her sit.

I sighed and rolled my eyes.

“Why do you keep coming back?” I asked, looking at her.

“Why did you leave in the first place? Why did you leave a seven-month-old baby for me to raise when I was still so young?”

I took a deep breath and slowly let it out.

She lowered her head into her hands and ran her fingers through her hair.

“I was stupid back then,” she said quietly. “I left because I knew I couldn't do it. I knew I wasn't strong enough to take care of either of you after your father's death.”

I looked over at Mira.

“I regret everything I did. I know it sounds foolish to come back after all these years and try to be your mother again...” she said.

“Yes, it does,” Mira cut in.

“Mira,” I called.

“So you can't come in here, trying to make up for what you did to us.“ She said and stormed into the room while Avery hurried after her.

“Forgive me, Nick,” mum continued. “Even if you never accept me again, I'll do whatever it takes.”

“I truly regret my choices, and I want to make things right,” she said as I stood there, watching her sniffle back her tears.

“It'll take a long time for Mira to accept you,” I said quietly and she looked up at me.

“Nick...” she called.

I held her gaze.

“I need you to respect Mira's choice and mine. I'm only doing this because I have to.”

She let out a shaky breath and gently held her chest as tears rolled down her face.

“I'm sorry. I'm so sorry,” she repeated between sobs.

I walked to the room and quietly closed the door behind me.

“We've already talked about this, Mira,” I said as she kept staring out the window.

“It doesn't matter whether she's back or not. I'm still here, and no one is taking you away from me,” I said.

“You're really giving her another chance,” Avery said, looking toward the door.

“Yeah. I'm doing this for us and that includes mum,” I replied, looking back at Mira.

Now it felt like I was stuck in the middle.

I'd forgiven Mum like nothing had happened, but I couldn't move on because Mira couldn't.

She wasn't ready to forgive her.

I walked over and sat beside her. I gently smoothed her hair and let out a sigh.

“Would you like to go out with me this weekend?” I asked.

She looked up at me.

“Where are we going?” she asked and I gave her a smile.

∆∆

~ FIVE STAR CLUB AND BAR ~

Since I'd missed work for two days, I had to make up for those shifts today. I handled different tasks while covering another worker's shift.

“What have you been up to these past few days?” the manager asked as I stood behind the bar.

I forced a smile and scratched the back of my head.

I didn't have a proper excuse. And I wasn't about to tell them I'd been dealing with something personal.

That wasn't anyone else's business.

“I was sick,” I said. “I knew coming to work would only make it worse.”

He raised an eyebrow.

“You were sick?” he asked.

I blinked before giving him a small nod.

He scoffed and walked away while I went back to serving the customers at the counter.

A few moments later, the man who Enzo had fought with the night I got hurt took a seat at the bar.

“Hey,” he said with a smile. “Nice seeing you again.”

I forced a smile and gave a small bow.

“You don't have to be so formal,” he said. “What's your name?”

I hesitated.

“Oh. I got carried away the last time that guy and I fought,” he said.

“What would you like to drink?” I asked, looking away.

“I'll tell you, but only if you tell me your name,” he replied, and I sighed.

“He's mine.” That familiar voice made me look up.

Enzo stood behind the man sitting on the bar stool.

“You again?” the man asked as he got to his feet.

Enzo, who was slightly taller, looked down at him before his eyes shifted to me.

“He's with me, so let's not make a scene today,” Enzo said and the man turned to me.

“Is that true?” he asked.

I glanced at Enzo before giving a slow nod.

The man shot Enzo a glare.

“This isn't over,” he said before turning and walking away.

Just then, my phone started ringing.

I checked the screen and frowned.

Avery.

She never called me while I was at work.

“Whatever it was would have to wait” I said within me and declined the call before I resumed working.

“Double shot of Gordon's on the rocks,” he said.

I nodded, polished a glass, and poured his drink.

I slid it across the counter. He picked it up and took a sip. From the look on his face, the liquor burned all the way down.

“Do you want to stop working?” he suddenly asked and I let out a small laugh.

“Where did that come from?” I asked, still chuckling. He had to be joking.

He just stared at me, then I knew he wasn't joking.

Just then, my phone buzzed.

It was a message from Avery.

"Something's wrong, Nick. Someone posted a video of you and Grayson... I think you're in trouble. Call me as soon as you see this."

My breath hitched as I read the message.

I slowly looked at Enzo.

A video?

Was it from what happened between us today?