Chapter 50 Nick
NICK
As soon as we got back home after leaving Colt and Abigail’s, Melanie said she needed to grab some tampons and insulin. I offered to drive her, but she insisted on going alone. That was over an hour ago.
Now, as I watched Loco squat to piss in the yard, I pulled out my phone, my gut telling me something was off.
Your dog is a boy, right?
She replied instantly.
Yes???
Just checking. He squats when he pees, never seen him lift his leg.
That’s what makes him Loco ;)
She was by her phone, so why the hell was she taking so long?
Heading back to the restaurant. Need to help Mom. Only a couple of hours before we open. Want me to wait?
No, you go ahead. I’ll meet you there.
We had been driving to work together for weeks, which made us look better to the public, and I liked knowing she wasn’t weaving through traffic on her motorcycle. But her brushing me off like this only confirmed what I already suspected.
I exhaled sharply and pocketed my phone. “C’mon, Loco. Time to go inside, buddy. Mommy will have to feed you when she gets home.”
Am I seriously talking to a dog?
Loco stared up at me, “Yeah, I need a guy’s night,” I muttered.
I was ten minutes down the road when I realized I’d left my wallet.
Normally, I’d say screw it, but these Ozark cops loved an excuse to pull me over, and I wasn’t in the mood for a ticket.
When I pulled back up to the house, my pulse kicked up a notch.
Mel’s motorcycle was in the driveway. She had told me she’d be a while.
Yet here she was, back the second I left.
I stepped inside, immediately noticing the bathroom light on.
My suspicion tightened into a knot in my gut.
I rounded the corner and saw her standing at the sink, back turned to me.
“Hey,” I said.
She jolted violently, sucking in a sharp breath before spinning to face me. “Shit, Nick! You scared the hell out of me.” Her eyes were wide—too wide.
I smirked. “Sorry. You left the door open, so I figured you weren’t busy.”
She rolled her eyes. “Gross.”
“Some married couples are comfortable enough to do that in front of each other.”
“First of all, disgusting. Second, I don’t poop. I shit rainbows.”
I huffed a laugh, but something was still off. Normally, she’d correct me with fake marriage, yet she let it slide. “I forgot my wallet,” I said, watching her closely. “Didn’t feel like testing my luck with the cops today.”
She gave a quick nod. “Oh. Okay.”
I leaned against the doorway. “You sure you don’t want to ride up with me? I don’t mind waiting.” My gaze flickered down her body—she’d been running more, and damn, it showed. “Maybe we can make a pit stop along the way.” I waggled my eyebrows.
Her smile didn’t reach her eyes. “No, I’m hopping in the shower. You go ahead.”
My gaze dropped to her hand, tucked behind her back.
“What’s that?” I asked, tilting my chin toward it.
Her body stiffened. “What?”
“Don’t play dumb, Melanie. Behind your back.”
She hesitated. “It’s, uh… tampons.”
Bullshit.
I took a step forward. “Look, I know all about relapsing. If you’re drinking again, I’d rather you be honest with me now than show up at the restaurant high or drunk. You know I don’t put up with that shit.”
“I’m not drinking.” Her voice sharpened.
“Then show me what’s behind your back.”
“No,” she bites back.
My jaw clenched. “So you expect me to believe you?”
Her glare darkened. “I’m telling the truth.”
“Then prove it.”
Her lip curled. “I don’t have to do shit.”
“Yes, you do. You’re my wife.”
Her laugh was cold. “Only on paper.”
I exhaled, trying to rein in my frustration. “You’ve come too far to screw up now. I know the last few weeks have been rough, but alcohol isn’t the answer, Princess.”
Her nostrils flared. “Don’t fucking call me that.”
“I’m not playing this game.” Before she could react, I grabbed her wrist and yanked her arm forward. The guilt hit fast—until I saw the box.
Clearblue Pregnancy Test.
My pulse slammed into overdrive. “W—what is that?”
She ripped her arm free. “What does it look like, asshole?”
My gaze lifted to hers. “Have you taken it yet?”
She hesitated, then looked down at the box. “No. I was too scared.”
Our eyes locked. The air between us shifted, heavy with something unspoken.
“If you are,” I said carefully, “then what are you going to do about it?”
She flinched. “What am I going to do?”
I nodded. “Yeah.”
Her expression hardened as she pushed me out of her way and walked past me out of the bathroom. “It’s not just me, Nick.” She motioned between us. “It’s us. What are we going to do about it?”
My throat felt tight. “We don’t want this.”
Her lips parted, like she was about to argue—but then her face crumpled. “What if we do?” Her voice was barely above a whisper.
My chest clenched. “No, Mel. That wasn’t part of the deal.”
She scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. “Neither was this.” She gestured between us again. “Fucking like animals wasn’t part of the deal either, but you’re sure fine with that part of the deal changing.”
“C’mon, you told everyone, including my mom, that you didn’t want kids. We can’t have kids. The restaurant is my only baby—I don’t have time for a real one.”
She took a step closer, her voice shaking with fury. “Maybe you should’ve thought of that before you started fucking me daily.”
I ran a hand through my hair. “You told me you were on birth control. What? Was this part of your plan? You lie about that too?” My voice dropped. “Your stepdad said you were an excellent liar. Guess he was right.”
Her hand flew before I could stop it—crack.
My face snapped sideways, the sting burning into my cheek.
“Fuck you,” she spat before pushing past me and storming toward the door.
“Melanie, wait—”
She didn’t stop. Didn’t hesitate. Just ran.
My chest tightened, every muscle screaming for me to go after her, to pull her back.
But I stayed frozen, watching as her golden hair disappeared into the distance.
I wanted to call out and take it back, but I couldn’t.
This had to be the way. Maybe if I hurt her enough, she’d finally let me go.
Because if it were up to me, I never would.
I’d hold on until there was nothing left of either of us.