Chapter Six
Melanie
Tomorrow I turn eighteen, and I’m so excited for it. I’m hoping that’s why Will has ghosted me these past few weeks since he graduated, or has he changed his mind? We haven’t had more than a handful of texts after our kiss. I wished him a happy graduation, but all he said was thank you. Since then, all my messages have been left unread. Beth wanted to take a stroll through town before I had to work and we did a quick bit of shopping at the bookstore and grabbed a cup of coffee. It’s going to be a long day, but all I want to do is see him again.
I finish my coffee cup and stop to toss it in the trash can. “We really need to go into Dallas and hit up a real club,” Beth says, tossing the rest of her croissant and drink.
“Yeah, like my dad would let me,” I reminded her. She’s met him so many times already so she should know better.
She nudges my elbow. “He will when you go off to college.”
“He wouldn’t let me.” My dad has always taken my safety and that of my family’s extremely seriously so there’s no way he wouldn’t freak out if I was out clubbing so far away from Steeleville where he couldn’t be close enough to rescue me if necessary.
“No, but what he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.”
“Somehow, I’m sure he’d know.” If one of my siblings doesn’t have tabs on me, one of the prospects is looking out for my safety. Honestly, having heard horror stories from the past, I don’t mind being protected, but I do wonder what it would be like to let loose every once in a while.
“What’s it like having such nosy parents?” Beth’s family abandoned her a long time ago. They don’t give a shit what she does and she doesn’t either. My parents don’t care for the freedom she has or her influence on me, but they trust my judgement.
“I love them even if it’s sometimes suffocating.” I roll my eyes and keep moving down the street. My heart nearly bursts from my chest when I spot a familiar vehicle.
“Isn’t that Will’s SUV?” my bestie, Beth, says. I do my best to feign ignorance.
“Is that his ride?” I question, squinting my eyes even though my vision is perfect and the sun is behind us. I miss him, but he’s been back for almost three whole weeks and hasn’t bothered to see me. Not once has he come to the house to stop by, and he’s ignored my messages.
I already know he has a no-call policy because he needed to focus on school and I was a sensual distraction. I understood it because there were nights when my body wouldn’t sleep when I thought of his voice saying my name with such lust. It still drives me insane.
She nudges me with her shoulder, smirking. “Please. We’ve known him for years. Of course it is—look at the plates.”
“Whatever. So he’s back in town. Big deal. I wonder how long he’s been here because he hasn’t visited me, and he graduated three weeks ago.” I hold my head up high because that’s what I was taught.
“Well, that’s why they’re having a barbeque—to celebrate his graduation. He must be getting a haircut to look good for someone.” She bumps me with her elbow.
“Whatever,” I answer with a blush on my face. When we pass by the shop window, we sneakily steal a peek. He’s there, all right. The man I’ve had a crush on since I was like thirteen. The man who promised me the world and his fidelity while telling me to be a good girl has Chrissy and her ample breasts in his face, getting a full view and loving the show. She’s holding his face, and then he closes his eyes and holds her hand. I swallow hard, attempting to control the bile rising in my throat.
“That bitch has her hands on your man.”
With all my strength, I keep my tone level. “He was never mine and never will be. He’s obviously enjoying his time with the local doorknob.”
“Damn, girl. Let it out,” she says with a giggle.
I turn and glare at her. “I’m starting to think you like my misery.”
She hugs me. “Come on girl, you know I love you, but I’m tired of seeing you mope around for a man that hasn’t been around just because he told you to stay put like a damn dog. I like that fire.”
“It’s cool. I guess I should stop turning guys down then.”
“Yeah, especially Damon, who can’t keep his eyes off you.” Her head tilts upward, and I realize that Damon isn’t more than fifteen feet ahead. He must be on my babysitting duty this morning. Beth drags us past the salon and right in front of Will’s large, sleek SUV. I wonder if he fucks that whore in there. My chest aches, thinking about it.
“Good morning, Damon,” Beth says, tossing him a wink. “So Mel could use a date.” My mouth falls open, shocked that she’s so damn bold. I’m sure my face is comically red.
“I’m available on Tuesday,” he says, smiling at me with all that charm he brings every time I see him. Except every time he’s watched over me, I’ve made it clear that I’m not up for dating.
“What a coincidence—so is Mel,” Beth cheers. I want to kick her and say I can’t, but then I see my reflection in Will’s SUV, and I don’t deny her interference.
“Well, it sounds like a date,” Damon says. “I’ll see you then.” Beth takes my arm and leads me away before I can change my mind and tell him I’m not available for dating. Great. He’s going to think I like him more than I do. He’s handsome and buff, but my fragile heart isn’t interested in dating even though I’m suffering.
“That’s what I’m talking about. Well, how about we go pick a dress? Do you want to bring him to the barbeque?” Beth wags her brows up and down, grinning like a fool.
I look back at the salon, feeling like my chest is about to explode. “Do you think he’s going to bring Chrissy?” My voice shakes and gives me away. She doesn’t need to ask who because there’s only one person I could be talking about.
Beth grips my shoulders and hugs me. “No way. He’d be stupid to do that. She’s bedded like half the guys in town. It would be stupid to think that he’d be proud to bring her around his mother.” Yes. Mrs. Steele doesn’t like Chrissy at all. She gets her hair done by Maria, the other female stylist in town.
As we walk back to my car, I fight back the tears. My phone buzzes and it’s my mother, reminding me about the barbeque today and that I promised to help Penny at the bakery. “I have to go to the bakery so that everything is ready for today.”
“I can go with you.”
“You don’t have to. We still have to get dressed, and you take a lot longer than me.”
“Fine, but I’ll see you later, and remember—you have a date with Damon on Tuesday. That asshole can tag you, but it’s nothing but a pretty book. We can drive to Dallas and have it removed whenever you want,” she says.
“Yes, we can. That’s a great idea, and I should have done it two weeks ago.”
“That’s my girl.” She smacks my ass before giggling and hopping in. I walk around the front and make my way to her place, dropping her off first before hitting the bakery.
By the time I arrive, I’ve swallowed back the pain of this morning and I’m able to focus on my job. Okay, focus isn’t what I call it, it’s more about compartmentalizing my feelings. It’s how I’ve managed to get through the past year without Will. Putting my heart in a little box and hiding it away, so it doesn’t break. Now that it’s cracked in half, I need it there, locked away so I don’t shatter to pieces.
“There’s my favorite assistant. I’m so surprised you don’t want to be a baker because you’re so good at it.” I can smell the bullshit from the front door. I love Aunt Penny like everyone else, but I’m one of the few who offered to help.
“I’m hardly your favorite. You have Daisy, of course, and let’s not forget all of your other children. I’m just the one you conned into working today.”
“You got me there, but you’re one of my favorites.” She gives me a squeeze and then hooks her arm over my shoulder and walks me into the back. “You’re special, little Melanie. Come on, and let’s get this done before my husband comes hunting me down.” She laughs, and we get to baking for the next two hours.
I make it through the work at the bakery with the many treats for the celebration, including a large cake for Will. All the while, I fight the urge to vomit from the reminder of him and his special day. A celebration I thought I would be a big part of. Jackson comes in with a big grin, “Hello ladies, are you ready to take this stuff over there?” He gives his wife a huge smile.
“Give us a minute. The cake is ready, but it’s massive.”
“I’ll take it, beautiful. I don’t want our nephew’s cake ruined. Crystal will have my ass.” We laugh because she’ll tear him a new one. He pushes the cart out to his truck and then comes back in to get another stack of trays.
Penny walks up to me with a big smile and says, “You can go. We got the rest from here. Thank you so much for today. I can’t wait to see you later.” She hugs me and then I go in the back to take off my apron and get my things. Once I hit the outdoor air, I feel the Texas heat hit me and it’s almost as bad as working in the bakery kitchen all morning.
My phone rings just as I hit the remote start. I stand outside the car and pull it out of my pocket to see it’s Damon’s calling. It takes me a second while I debate if I should answer it and on the last ring, I do. “Hey, I’m just leaving the bakery. What’s going on?”
“I’m heading over to the barbeque today. Will I see you there?” he asks, sounding nervous, anxious. Nothing like the guy I’ve spoken to almost four times a week. Why is he acting shy? Does he really have feelings for me?
“You’re going?” I question, panic setting in. Honestly, I’m not ready to start dating even though I’m so done with Will.
“Yes. I’m one of the guards for the day.” I release a cool breath of relief. “Will I be seeing your cute face there?”
“Yes, of course. My father is a Rider,” I reminded him.
“Great. Are we on for Tuesday?”
“Um…I’m not sure if that’s a good idea.” As I say that, I see none other than Chrissy passing me on the street. I’d love to run her over with my car. “You know what? Yes, I’ll go.”
“Good. See you later, beautiful.”
I end the call, and although Damon is cute and fun to talk to, I’m not interested in him. I shouldn’t lead him on when my heart belongs to a man I can’t be with. William Steele broke all my trust today. I’ve waited for him, and he’s proven to be full of shit.
I drive home to clean up for a party that I no longer want to attend. Just as I pulled up, I saw my father’s vehicle still in the driveway. Damn it, my parents are still there. Unable to waste more time, I rush into the house because the party has already started.
“Hey, sweetie. Do you want us to wait for you?” my father calls out as I rush up the stairs to my bedroom.
I have a feeling I’m going to be an emotional wreck, so I won’t be able to drive. “Yes. I’ll only be a few minutes.”
“Okay.”
I close my bathroom door and quickly tug off my tee shirt, tossing it into my laundry basket. Goodness, I need a shower, so I jump in for a fast rinse off and scrub down without doing my hair. I suppose it’s better than being a sweaty, sugary mess.
I’m down in ten with my hair in a cute ponytail and wearing a pair of tiny khaki green shorts and a cut-off shirt that shows my flat abs. My dad growls. “Are you trying to have Will and me kill some of the boys there?”
“Come on, Dad. I’m about to be eighteen and as far as I’m concerned there’s nothing going on between Will and I, so I’m single. Although I do have a date coming up with Damon.”
“I thought you had something going on with Will,” my mother adds in confusion. I shake my head, unable to discuss it without feeling my throat close up. My parents stare at me in confusion. Pressing my lips together, I don’t speak for at least thirty seconds.
My father says, “Is something going on between the two of you?” His gaze is laced with suspicion.
“No, he is taking me to the movies on Tuesday. It’s not that big of a deal.”
My father’s face shifts into a menacing smirk, and my mother and I stare at him before he says, “I don’t like it.”
“It’s not like anything’s going to happen, and I’m not going to marry the dude. I’m about to head off to college and I haven’t been on a proper date, and obviously someone else forgot I existed.”
My father shakes his head, wrapping his arm around my mother’s shoulder. “I suppose you’re right. I just don’t want you falling head over heels with anyone and forgetting about your dreams.”
Too late. Dreams are shattered.
My mother looks at me under my father’s arm with a sympathetic smile, understanding my plight. She watched me waiting by the window for weeks after Will returned home from college without a single visit or call. Three fucking weeks, and not a word.
“Fine. We need to go, but I’m telling you I don’t think it’s a wise move, Princess.”
“You don’t want anyone dating me,” I huff and walk out the front door, refusing to listen to his naysaying.
A minute later, they’re both hopping into the SUV with my other brother, who’s scowling at me and shaking his head. I roll my eyes at him because I’m not in the mood for anyone’s nonsense. I’ve been on the verge of tears all day, and they wouldn’t understand. They have no idea that Will broke my heart, and I can’t tell my father because a war would break out if he knew.
We drive to the clubhouse and as we pass the gate, my father gives Damon a once-over. He crooks his finger, summons him over, and then whispers something to him. The second we drive past them and into the parking spot, I ask, “What did you say?”
“I just gave him a warning, Princess.”
“Daddy,” I hiss.
“What? You’re my little girl, and I’m not going to let any fucking dick play with you. If he’s too weak to take you out, then it’s his problem. Damon knew who you were before he asked you out, right?”
“Yes, of course. You assigned him to my guard duty.”
“Well, then?” I don’t like the tone in his voice. My father’s a district attorney, which means he’s slick as hell with skills to play mind games easily.
“Okay.”
“Good. Now, let’s have some fun. I hope I get some of those brownies you made.”
“Not if the kids get them first,” I say, knowing they’re a hit with everyone and will be gone as soon as the smell spreads across the yard.
“They’ll have to fight me for them,” he says. He unlocks the vehicle and we all start getting out. I hope I can avoid running into Will for as long as possible.
As soon as we pop out of the vehicle, I spot Will, and he stops talking to his father. His eyes land on me, and his face goes from a smile to a hardened stare. I ignore him and walk off in the opposite direction toward my friends who are huddled together, but I don’t make it far when I feel Will’s presence on my heels. It’s almost as if he’s breathing down my neck. Speaking of neck, my locket is hot against my breasts. If I could tear this necklace away from my neck, I would. Maybe my father could have it removed if I ask.