Chapter 24
24
Melody
I woke up alone in the large bed, Rogue’s side still warm to the touch. For a while I just lay there, gazing out the large windows overlooking the blanket of lights that is LA in the distance. I thought he’d be right back. That he’d leave a note if he planned to be gone for long. But then his side of the bed grew colder and colder and I started growing more and more awake. And anxious for some reason.
Probably because of the way I rushed here after my run-in with Unholy at the ER. Back in Pleasantville, while I still lived at the Devil’s Nightmare MC clubhouse, the one thing I never lacked was safety and protection. Maybe love and a happily ever after wasn’t in the cards for me there, but I never had to worry about getting hurt.
With Rogue I feel the same. Even though I’ve only known him for a couple of weeks. And realizing that was the reason I started feeling more and more foolish as the minutes spent waiting for him turned into almost an hour.
But I would’ve continued waiting if I hadn’t heard his voice through floating up from the courtyard and through the half open window. And as I heard the voice answering him, my blood literally froze in my veins.
Unholy’s voice was every bit as arrogant as he sounded back at the ER. And even though I couldn’t understand everything they were saying, I knew it couldn’t possibly be anything good. They sounded like they’ve known each other a long time too, like friends.
I could literally see the dream I had for Rogue and me spending the rest of our lives together turn bleak and hollow as I dressed in the dark.
Unholy was gone by the time I reached the door leading into the bar downstairs and Rogue was back inside, surrounded by his MC.
It seems most of the members are in here, all in various states of agitation, all looking to Rogue for some sort of answer that he seems unable to give. As always, what little light shines anywhere attaches itself to him like his own personal spotlight.
He fixes me with his bright green eyes—tiger-like right now—as I slide open the door. I’m gonna miss this look he gives me. This way he has of making it seem like we’re the only two people in the world even when we’re standing in a crowded room.
I barely notice the rest of the MC looking at me as I cross the room.
“I’m gonna go now,” I whisper, laying my arm on his gently, wishing I had something better to tell him.
But it’s best to end this before it really gets started. It can’t lead anywhere good. Time to triage. Time to do the least harm. Time to say goodbye before either of us gets hurt.
“Do you have to?” he asks, smiling weakly at me. “I was just gonna go back up to you.”
He’s not going to smile at me this nicely once he knows I’m just a former club whore. I don’t want us to ever get to that point.
“It sounds like you’re busy,” I say. “And I have an early start tomorrow. Goodbye.”
He flinches as he hears the word. Probably because I made it sound too formal, too much like a real goodbye and not just a see you later .
But that’s what it is. It a formal goodbye.
I don’t wait to hear anything more. I look away from his glowing eyes and soft smile, even though it’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do and keep on walking.
“Melody, wait,” he calls after me. But by then the rest of the members started talking again. And I pretend I didn’t hear.
I wish I could just run out, but I keep my steps long and steady.
I hate goodbyes. But I’m good at them.
I lied to him. It’s my day off tomorrow.
I’ll spend it looking for an apartment.
And hopefully, by the time I see him again, I won’t feel like my chest is being torn open at just the thought of saying goodbye to him.
A girl can dream.
Too bad all my dreams always curdle before they even get started.
But living with that curse is another thing I’ve gotten real good at over the years.