Page 53 of Falling for Nicole
Biting down on my wobbling bottom lip, I try my best to keep it in, but the second Lilly says my name to get me to talk, it all erupts again.
She reaches over and pulls me into a hug as I drag in some ragged breaths to try to calm down. “What has he done?” she whispers in my ear.
“He’s still sleeping with her, Lills. He left mine this morning and went home to fuckher.” Lilly’s gasp of surprise doesn’t make me feel any better.
“Are you sure? Dec’s not a cheater.” I understand he’s her brother and that she’ll do anything to protect him, but I don’t need to hear that kind of thing right now.
“Yes. I’m sure. She was leaving as I was going to drop off Bailey, looking like she’d been fucked into next week. She told me he was showering and when I got to his room, he’d just got out. I didn’t want to believe her, but she was fucking right.”
“I’m going to fucking kill him.” Seeing Lilly get wound up makes this almost worth it. In all the years I’ve known her, I can count on one had the number of times she’s been truly angry. She pulls her phone and goes to unlock it.
“No. Just leave it…please?”
“But—”
“No. You don’t need to get involved, and I don’t want it ruining this weekend.”
“But—”
“No, Lilly. I know you’re only trying to help, but I can manage.”
She stares at me, her eyes begging for me to change my mind, but I stand my ground. I don’t need her fighting my battles for me.
“Grab your stuff. I’ll drop you off at the hotel.”
“You’re not coming?”
“I can’t, I’ve got Bailey.”
Lilly looks over her shoulder at my panting puppy sat on the back seat, and then back to me. The look on her face matches my mood. I was so looking forward to this, but he’s ruined it for me.
“Lucas will have him,” she suddenly announces. “He’s already got the twins; surely it won’t make that much difference.”
“No, I can’t do that to him. Honestly, it’s fine. You’ll have more fun without me after all this.”
“No way. Wait here.”
I watch as she runs back towards the house like a woman on a mission. Within minutes, she’s back looking much more like her usual self with a wide smile on her face.
“He’s fine with it. Come on, get him out.”
Something tells me Lucas did anything but agree to this, but I haven’t got the energy to fight about it. Lilly gets Bailey out of the car while I grab the stuff I packed for him.
After telling a surprised looking Lucas everything he needs to know about a weekend with my overly excitable cockerpoo, Lilly drags me from the house as she tries to reassure me that it’ll be fine. “He runs a multimillion pound hotel chain, I’m sure he’s more than capable with two seven-month-olds and a puppy.”
I love her enthusiasm but I can’t say I share her positivity.
As planned we’re the first to the hotel. Lilly has a brief conversation with the receptionist before she hands over a pile of keys. As well as closing the wellbeing centre to all other guests for the weekend, it seems that Lucas has also booked out the entire top floor of the hotel for us.It’s not what you know, it’s who you know, as they say.
“Come on, we’ve got stuff to do before they get here,” Lilly says, rushing over to the lifts.
By the time a giant white limo pulls up outside the front of the hotel an hour later, Lilly and I have decorated not only the rooms we’re staying in but also the pool area. There are more inflatable penises floating around than I ever thought I’d see. Thank god Lucas isn’t here to see what we’ve done with the place!
The excitement as everyone piles out of the limo is infectious, and I soon find myself forgetting about this morning and getting pulled into the merriment. When Molly emerges clutching two bottles of champagne, I understand why they’re quite so happy.
“Nicole,” she cheers when she sees me. “It’s so good to see you!” Yes, she’s definitely drunk. She wraps her arms around my shoulders, hitting me with both bottles in the process.
I quickly say hello to everyone I already know, and then Lilly introduces me to a couple of Molly’s friends before turning to Ryan’s two sisters. “This is Abbi and Liv. You’ll be sharing the suite with them and their mum, Karen.” I glance over to see where she’s pointing to find an older lady standing back from all the laughter and merriment. I’ve heard stories about her from Lilly, and I have to say that she’s exactly as I imagined her to be—kinda stuck up. Pushing my thoughts aside, I walk over and make an effort to include her in the group. She must feel a little left out seeing as Susan is the only other older lady, and she’s right in the thick of it, having known almost everyone here since they were born.
