Chapter 54 Melanie
MELANIE
Nick pulled out of me, and the cold floor sent a shiver up my spine as my feet touched down. I scrambled to pull my panties back up, yanking my jeans over my legs as quickly as possible.
“I doubt it’ll happen that fast,” I muttered, buttoning them up.
Nick smirked as he zipped his own jeans. “It only takes one time.”
“Yeah, but I don’t even know how long I have to be off birth control for it to matter.”
“Why don’t you ask Dr. Josh?”
I shot him a look. “You need to apologize to him.”
Nick snorted. “I’m not doing shit.”
I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair. “Nick, we just fucked in his house. Without his permission. While he was outside, that’s kind of messed up, don’t you think?”
“I didn’t hear you complaining when you came on my dick.” His grin stretched across his face, pure cocky satisfaction.
Damn him. Damn, how good he looks, how smug he is, how badly I already want him again.
I rolled my eyes. “Even if you don’t, I am. Josh has been a good friend. He doesn’t deserve that.”
“Oh, please. He probably got off to it.”
I smacked his arm. “Nick, stop.”
When I was finally decent, I stepped outside. Josh stood by one of the horses, stroking its nose, the sunlight catching in his messy blonde hair. Nick trailed behind me, and I shot him a glare over my shoulder—don’t be an ass.
Josh didn’t notice me at first. I reached out, grazing his shoulder. “Hey.”
“Shit!” He flinched and spun around, tugging his earbuds out. “Oh. Hey.”
I tilted my head, smirking. “Listening to music?”
He chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. “Yeah. I was gonna check on you, but… well, the sounds told me you were just fine. So I figured I’d let you guys finish….”
“Talking?” I raised an eyebrow.
“Exactly.” His grin was boyish, endearing.
Looking at him now, I realized how much older Nick was—how much had changed.
Maybe that’s why Josh and I never worked.
By the time Josh started noticing girls, my innocence was already stolen.
Josh and I were the same age, but mentally, I was years ahead of him.
I sighed. “I’m sorry, Josh.”
He shrugged. “Nah. It’s fine. I’m just glad he finally stepped up.”
“It’s not fine.” I took his hands in mine. “That shouldn’t have happened. We got caught up in the moment. And… we can both be impulsive.”
“I get it.”
“Still. Thank you.” I squeezed his hands. “You’re an amazing friend. And an even better guy. I really hope one day, someone sees that and treats you the way you deserve.”
Josh looked down, kicking at the dirt. Despite his jokes, his charm, and his easy-going nature, I knew he was soft at heart. Probably because of how much he respected his mom, because of what he went through as a kid.
“Thanks,” he said finally, lifting his gaze. “I’m really happy for you. You guys…You look good together.”
My stomach twisted into a bittersweet symphony. I was happy that Josh accepted Nick, but sad because the kiss he gave me earlier told me he thought there was still something there between us, when I’d moved on a long time ago.
I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around him. He hugged me back, squeezing me tight.
“Easy there, Snatchquack.”
Nick’s voice cut through the moment, and I turned to see him striding toward us, my suitcase in one hand, Loco trotting beside him.
I raised an eyebrow. “How are we supposed to take that on a motorcycle?”
“I’ll make it work,” Nick said.
“And Loco?”
“Oh. Yeah.” He ran his free hand through his silly black hair.
Josh laughed. “I can follow you guys and drop it off. I don’t mind.”
“You don’t have to do that,” I said.
“I insist.”
“Great.” Nick clapped a hand on Josh’s shoulder, dropping the suitcase to the ground.
“Appreciate it, man.” He turned to walk away, then paused, walking backward with a smirk.
“And sorry for fucking my wife in your house. But, as you can see, she’s hot as hell, and make-up sex is phenomenal.
” He threw in a wink for good measure before heading off to strap Loco into the dog carrier.
I sighed and turned back to Josh. “Sorry. He’s… territorial.”
Josh smirked. “I think he’s worse than your dog.”
I couldn’t help but laugh.