Page 27 of Never and Always
In all the years that Nick had known Glenn he’d never gotten so mad with him that he felt like hitting him. Until justnow.
While Mia broke down in floods of tears, Glenn turned and walkedaway.
Nick looked over at Mia wanting to say something, but couldn’t find the right words. Instead he walked out of the living room and followed Glenn right into thegym.
“What do you want, man?” Glenn turned on him, squaring off his shoulders like he was ready for afight.
“Why are you acting like such a prick?” Nick squared off,too.
“Stay out of it. This is a family matter, it’s none of yourbusiness.”
“It is my business when you act like this. I told you the police were dealing with the situation. Mia’s a victim in this and she came home for yoursupport.”
“Why does she need mine when clearly she has yours?” Glenn accused. “You’re supposed to be my friend. Mine. But every time she’s around you turn into some kind of fuckingfool.”
“Glenn, this isn’t you. It’s not, and I’m not going to speak to you when you’re likethis.”
“Good, then fuck off,” Glennbalked.
Nick didn’t bother to answer him, he walked away before he lost his cool and hit him. He went back to the living room to see if Mia was okay but she wasn’t there. He went to the sitting room, kitchen, downstairs bathroom, and her room, but she wasn’tthere.
When he went to her room again and he saw that the little travel case she’d brought with her days ago was gone, hepanicked.
“Mia!” he called out, but there was noanswer.
He called for her again and looked in the other room and on the terrace, but there was no point because it was clear that she’dleft.
* * *
Mia couldn’t take a taxi.It was wise to save the hundred dollars she had until Claire transferred more money to heraccount.
If she hadn’t left her phone with Nick she would have called Claire and told her thedistress.
God, why didn’t she ask Claire if she could house sit while she was inSpain?
It was because she didn’t think. Subconsciously she’d allowed herself to take comfort in Nick, but not even he could help her with this. She and Glenn had had some real bad arguments in the past, but this was bad andhurtful.
They argued today, and it was terrible because Nick wasn’t there to defend her. Glenn took full advantage and cursed her for her stupidity. She could appreciate his anger before and had tried to reason with him. She was actually trying to tell him about the paintings, but he lost it and never gave her the chance to finish before he unleashed his anger. That was when he called her a whore. He hurt her to no end, but when he said she’d always disappointed him it hurt her deep, down to her core. She’d always believed he was proud of her, especially when she had her business. She’d always believed he was proud of her regardless ofthat.
However, he’d just confirmed that hewasn’t.
She left because she couldn’t stay. She couldn’t be there anymore knowing he hated her so much. And then there wasNick.
She couldn’t be around him, either. Her emotions were on overload and she couldn’t focus. When she was with him she had to remind herself that they were just friends. She had to put up this barrier to remind her of the boundaries that separated them, and it was becoming exhausting. Mia just couldn’t deal with it now—and it was best that she didn’t have to—or become reliant onhim.
It took her an hour to get into the city. It was nearly eight and the area was starting to fill with its night life. She made her way to one of the cheap motels on the backstreets and tried not to look shocked when she saw a group of hookers outsideit.
She went into the reception, keeping her bag close. There was a guy behind the desk watching a wrestling match and eating pizza. When he saw her he did the standard thing most men did when they looked at her and gave her a once over look that blatantly undressed her with hiseyes.
“Hey, sweetheart. What can I do for you?” the man asked. Now he was looking at herbreasts.
One night, maybe two. That’s what she’d book. She could be brave for a night or two and take care of herself. Claire would hopefully transfer the money to her account by tomorrow and she’d find a way to contact Nick, get her phone, and callClaire.
“I’d like to book a room for two nights. Do you have anyvacancies?”
“My lap has a vacancy.” He pointed to his lap and the bulge she saw at his crotch nearly made hervomit.
“I’d like a room for two nights,” she repeated, pretending she didn’t see hisarousal.
