18. Melanie
melanie
“This isn’t fair. I don’t want to go.”
A heavy weight settles over me at Oakley’s sullen words. He sinks down on the front step, his morose expression focused on the road.
He’s been introspective since our run-in with Cale yesterday, and it only grew worse after Davis confirmed he’d be taking Oakley for an overnight visit today.
It was a nice distraction, going to see Harrison and Jacob, but all that disappeared in the blink of an eye as the visit with his father loomed over us.
I drop down next to Oakley, resting my head against his as I wrap an arm around his shoulders. It’s a bittersweet moment because when did he get so damn tall? It feels like only months ago I’d sit with him like this, and get a crick in my neck from how far down I had to lean.
“I know, bug.”
Oakley doesn’t make a sound, even as his shoulders shake under my arm. “He might not come,” he says huskily, more to himself than me. “He never shows up. Maybe he won’t come.”
I press my lips to his head, not wanting to tell him that Davis messaged and is already on the way.
I’ve got a sneaking suspicion he’s got a bee in his bonnet about the house.
As much as I don’t want to, it is easy to believe the worst of my husband and that he’ll use this time with our son as another way to ambush and manipulate me into doing what he wants.
“You’ll be back tomorrow. And I was thinking we could go out for dinner. Maybe get a pizza or something.”
Oakley eyes me suspiciously, like he knows the game I’m playing.
I just blink innocently, and before he can call me out, a car pulls up to the curb.
He tenses beside me, and we watch in silence as Davis kills the engine and climbs out.
He plasters a fake smile on his face as he comes toward us, but his eyes are vacant, his attention never settling anywhere for long.
I shift my focus back to the car, finding Marcy sitting in the front seat, glaring at me through the window. I only give her a passing glance before looking away, dismissing her.
“Hey, kiddo!” Davis greets, tone overly cheerful. “You ready to go?”
“I guess,” Oakley mutters. He stands up, hovering here, unsure. Davis doesn’t make a move to come any closer, sliding his hands into his pockets.
Irritation bubbles under my skin, wondering what the hell has happened to him. Maybe our life together could have used some more excitement or spontaneity, but there had been trust…Or so I thought. Our marriage had been steadfast, even if it was missing some of the wildfire chemistry, like with—
Cutting my own thoughts off, I tell Oakley, “Go get your bag. Make sure you have everything you need.”
He hesitates for a beat, but then disappears inside, his feet dragging. I wait for the door to swing closed before standing and facing Davis head-on, disquiet filling me at the idea of sending my son off with this stranger.
The mask of civility falls away from his face, his eyes hard as he watches me. “You look like you have something to say.”
“Have you talked to your girlfriend?”
His brows wing up. “What would I talk to her about?” he asks drolly, eyes narrowing on me.
I don’t look away, my brows knitting together. “Clarissa,” I say carefully, unable to get a read on him. “And everything that’s happening between the kids at school. The bullying needs to stop, Davis. There’s no reason that Clarissa should be targeting Oakley like that.”
My eyes flick toward the car before coming back to him as his face tightens with annoyance, a low curse leaving him.
“For Christ’s sake, Melanie. Bullying,” Davis spits the word out. “I know you’re bitter about being left behind, but Clarissa is just a little girl.”
My vision goes a little hazy, my hands trembling as rage courses through my body. I hide it by crossing my arms over my chest. “And what about our son? He’s the same age as that little girl. He deserves to feel safe at school.”
He clicks his tongue. “Can’t believe he’s crying to his mommy about this,” he mutters almost to himself.
He eyes me with derision. “Oakley needs to man up. If he can’t handle a little teasing from a girl, he’s gonna end up in a world of shock, isn’t he?
” He looks away, his expression bored. “This is building character for him. And hopefully, it might cancel out the way you coddle him.” He throws the words like knives, a smirk tugging at his mouth as he waits for them to land.
And they do. I just don’t give him the satisfaction of knowing it.
Rage has my pulse thundering in my ears, my vision narrowing to a pinprick. I leash it as the door opens behind me. “Mom?”
I turn, giving my son a warm smile, refusing to let him see my inner turmoil. “You got everything, bug? What about your toothbrush?”
“Got it.” He hefts his bag up on his shoulder, looking between us. “Maybe I could—”
“Let’s go,” Davis cuts in. “Marcy and I have plans tonight.”
Oakley’s face falls, not saying a word. He comes to my side, giving me a tight hug. “Love you.”
“I love you, too, baby,” I whisper, ignoring the scowl my ex levels on us. “Have a good time, okay?”
Oakley mumbles something, and then he’s gone, quietly slipping into the back of the car. I watch as Marcy turns to him, saying something, but he keeps his head down.
Davis clears his throat, pulling my attention back to him. “Have you thought any more about what I said?” He throws a dark look at the house. “We need to come to a solution, Mellie.”
“What the hell do you mean, you have plans?” I demand, ignoring his question. “You’re the one who asked to have Oakley tonight. You’re just leaving him alone?”
“Of course he won’t be alone.” He scrubs a hand through his hair, his pale skin reddening with annoyance.
“You don’t need to worry about who he’ll be with.
He’s not your problem when he’s with me.
” He lets out a huff. “Anyway, I have a life. I’m not just going to give up my plans because my kid’s around.
” Unlike you comes through loud and fucking clear.
“Davis—”
“Look, Melanie, I’m giving you time because of all the years we spent together, but I’m not waiting for an answer indefinitely.
” His head goes back so he can look down his nose at me.
“Sell the house, or I’ll get lawyers involved.
Who knows? Maybe Oakley would be better off if I had primary custody. ”
Before I can tell him what I think of that bullshit, he’s gone, stomping off to the car.
I roll my lips inward, burying my feelings down, waving at Oakley as Davis guns the engine, taking off down the street.
I watch until the car disappears from view, my heart hurting, wondering how everything can feel so wrong, wishing against everything I could go after them and bring Oakley home.
“You okay?”
I jump at the question, spinning around to find Cale standing at the corner of my house, as if he’s just come from my backyard. His expression is cautious, wary, but there’s concern there, too. My temper spikes as our eyes meet, finding an easy target for the anger boiling over inside me.
“What are you doing?” I demand. “Lurking around, listening in on private conversations? Is this you playing tit for tat or something?”
He shakes his head, his dark hair curling over his forehead. “I saw him pull up. Just wanted to make sure you were okay. Especially after last time—”
I shake my head. “I don’t need your help. Have you cashed the check?”
He watches me for a beat, contrition tightening the corner of his eyes. “Mel—” I take a step back, and his hand twitches like he’s thinking of reaching out to grab me. “I tore the check up.”
I purse my lips. “Of course you did.”
“I don’t care about the window, Melanie.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “You cared enough before.”
“I was wrong.”
I stare at him, my throat too tight, hating that he’s put us in this position.
“Yeah. You were,” I say brokenly. “You were more than wrong. And I wish you’d realized that before you ruined everything.”
His eyes close, his breath whistling between his teeth. “Baby…”
“No, Cale.” I fold my arms around myself, trying to hold myself together when it feels like the attacks are coming from every angle. “The damage has been done, and once again, I’m left picking up the pieces. You can’t put a bandage on this and pretend it never happened.”
His lashes lower, hiding his expression. When they lift again, they shine with desolation. “That’s not what I want to do,” he murmurs. “I don’t want to pretend, Melanie.”
Defeat rolls through me on a wave, and I lift one shoulder. “I’ve got nothing else to give you, Cale. Not anymore.”
I give him one last look before turning away and heading into my empty house, feeling his eyes on me the whole way.
I look back at him as I go inside. He hasn’t moved an inch, his stare still locked on me, but the desperation has given way to determination.
I pause, our gazes clashing, and then I close the door and shut him out.
I don’t have a lot of experience with hanging out at Benson’s or places like it.
Davis and I spent most of our “date nights” at the kind of restaurants where the prices aren’t on the menu, and the food is tiny, leaving you craving a greasy burger before you even leave.
He was always so worried about how everyone else perceived him that it never even occurred to him to go to a place like this, no matter how much the rest of the town might love it.
And yet, he openly moved in with the woman he cheated on his wife with.
Make it make sense.
It never bothered me to acquiesce to Davis’s choices.
But, as I sit back in my seat, taking in the scarred wooden flooring and the makeshift stage set up at the back of the room, I’m wondering if I did myself a disservice.
There’s a vibe here that’s more relaxed than any place Davis might have taken me to, the jukebox playing twangy country music.