26. Cale #2
“I know, I know. I don’t like her either, but she’s my niece’s mother, right? And Landon has never seen the truth of Marcy’s duplicity, even after she cheated on him. He doesn’t love her anymore, but he’s putting all the blame on Davis. It’s a fucking mess.”
“Sounds like it. Look, I’ll check with Rosie first, but I might be able to send you her number. You and Ryan can make amends directly to her and Nell.”
“Right,” Levi mumbles distractedly. “Maybe. I gotta go. Let me know if anything else comes up.”
“Sure—” But he has already hung up.
I drop my phone onto the table beside me and sit back just in time to hear the side gate creak open. I turn my head, already knowing in my gut that it’s Melanie. I see her hair first, the undertones almost looking red in the early afternoon sunshine.
As if she can feel my stare on her, she turns, eyes locking with mine, and her mouth tugging up into a small smile. She rounds the deck to the stairs, heading straight for me.
I frown at her, and she quirks an eyebrow. “What?”
“I liked you better in my shirt,” I grumble, tugging at the hem of her blue cotton tee as she stops between my spread knees.
She shakes her head with a laugh, but doesn’t brush my hand away as I inch it under the shirt, splaying my fingers over the warm, silky skin of her waist. Hope fizzles through me.
“Where are the kids?” she asks, tilting her head to the side.
“Playing Mario Kart,” I tell her with a smirk. “Killer’s kicking ass and taking names, as per usual.”
Melanie chuckles, rolling her eyes. “I don’t know why I asked.” She chews on her bottom lip, small lines creasing her brow. “I wanted to thank you.”
I blink in surprise. “Thank me? For what?
She steps closer, her knees brushing against the wood of my seat. “For being there last night. Don’t get me wrong”—she shoots me a dark scowl—“I’m still annoyed at you for crashing my date. And with Oakley. But…” Her expression soothes out, her eyes soft as she watches me.
“But…” I prompt.
“I don’t know that I could have done last night without you. And the way you helped Rosie…I know it’s probably not how you were expecting the night to go.”
I huff out an unamused laugh. “Believe me, Mel…You being out on a date with Harrison was the worst part of my night.”
Amusement flashes through her blue eyes, but she lowers her lashes, hiding it. “Is that right?”
“Yes,” I growl, satisfaction curling through me when she shudders, her eyes flicking open.
“No more dates. No more avoiding me.” I dig my fingers into her waist, my other hand lifting to grab her other side and dragging her closer.
I tip my head back against the chair to keep eye contact. “I’ve fucking missed you, darlin’.”
There’s the slightest tremble to Melanie’s mouth.
“I wished to hell that I didn’t, but I’ve missed you too.
” She breathes, reaching out to cup my face, her thumb tracing over my lips.
“I’ve been trying to deny this. I’ve tried to shut off my feelings for you, but you’re like an infection I can’t cut out. ”
It takes a second for Melanie’s words to register, and then I’m the one gaping up at her. “An infection?” I demand incredulously. Laughter bubbles out of her. I drag her down until she stumbles into my lap, tickling her ruthlessly until she’s yelling with laughter. “I’ll give you infection.”
That only makes Melanie laugh harder, her eyes watering. She grabs my hands, trapping them against her stomach, her breathing coming out in fast pants. “You know…” she starts coyly. “They should have a medicine to clear that right up.”
I snort. “Everyone’s a kidder today.” I wrap my arms around her, tugging her more firmly against me, her legs lying over the side of my chair. “There’s no getting you out of my system, darlin’, and I like you just where you are.”
She snuggles into me, blowing out a heavy breath. “Yeah, I’m starting to realize that,” she says quietly. “This wasn’t ever supposed to be…this…” She gestures between us.
I rub my cheek against hers. “Is that why you pushed me away?” I ask quietly.
Melanie doesn’t answer for the longest time. “Yeah. We were supposed to be casual, and Davis…” I growl at the name, and she giggles—a sweet sound that doesn’t fit with her usual snark. “I got scared.”
“Of me?” I clarify, and she shakes her head slowly.
“Not you.” She leans her head on my shoulder, her face in my neck, almost like she’s hiding as she tells me, “I was scared of giving someone else the power to hurt me as much as D—” She breaks off at the rumble I make, her shoulders shaking. “Dipshit,” she corrects.
“Better,” I mutter.
“I was scared,” she repeats pointedly, “of giving anyone that kind of power over me again. It felt like…How didn’t I see what was happening? I was with him for ten years. And I was completely blindsided.”
“People change, Melanie,” I tell her. “And even when you live with them, people know how to hide their true selves.”
“And that’s what terrifies me!” Melanie says, voice creeping up before she catches herself. “What if it happens again? I can’t…” She swallows roughly. “I survived losing him, but you—” She cuts herself off, looking away, and I squeeze her until she yelps, grinning when she slaps my hands away.
“Give me this chance, and you won’t regret it.
I would never betray your trust because I’ve already tasted a world without you in it.
I can’t go back to the way it was.” She pulls back just enough to look at my face.
My words are sincere as I tell her, “You icing me out these past few months? Losing Killer? Fucking worse thing I’ve ever experienced, darlin’…
and I’ve experienced some pretty shitty things. ”
Her eyes search mine. “You seem so sure,” she murmurs, her brow knitting. “You never wanted a relationship before, so what’s different now?”
“A relationship with just anyone never appealed to me,” I tell her, leaning down to brush my nose against hers.
“But a relationship with you? That’s a whole different ball game.
” I reach up and drag my knuckles over her jaw, my eyes never leaving hers.
“I’m out of plays now, darlin’. You’re the endgame. ”
Melanie’s eyes widen, but then she cracks up, throwing her head back as her laughter fills the air, the sound light and free.
“Oh my god.” She moans dramatically. “How did I not know how cheesy you are? That’s it. I’ve got the ick. We’re over.”
I slide my hand around the back of her neck, using my thumb to angle her face right where I want her, growling, “Too fucking bad, darlin’, because you’re stuck with me now.”
I press my mouth to hers, her lips soft and pliant against my own, immediately opening as my tongue pushes forward, stroking along hers.
Melanie makes a soft sound that I swallow, her arms looping around my neck and one hand spearing into my hair, tugging. Her teeth nip my lower lip before she soothes the sting away, sucking the abused flesh into her mouth—
The back door opens with a resounding crash, and then— “Found him! He’s kissing my mom.” Oakley fakes a heave, and then he’s gone again, disappearing back inside and leaving me and Melanie frozen, our mouths still pressed together
The moment well and truly killed by the kid, I pull back, giving her a wry grin. “Hey, baby.”
“Hey,” she says, giving me the softest smile. “Wanna come over for dinner tonight?”