Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
RONIN
TWENTY-SEVEN YEARS OLD
I’ve been such an idiot.
When Mellie left without so much as a goodbye or explanation to anything, it cut me deep. I’ve been ignoring her calls and texts out of pure pettiness and frustration. And hurt, if I’m being honest.
But enough is enough. I miss her so damn much. The last couple of years have felt like a piece of my very soul is missing. I’ve been a shell of myself, going through the motions everyday and heading home to an empty house filled with the aching loss of Mellie echoing throughout the rooms.
That ends today. Hopefully, in the next few hours. I check my boarding pass one more time, making sure I have my ID out as I stand waiting in line for my flight. Foot tapping impatiently, I run over what I’m going to say to her for the tenth time.
This will not be yet another profession of love.
I’ve learned that lesson the hardest fucking way possible.
I miss my best friend and I want her back in my life, even if from a distance.
I still believe deep in my heart that we belong together, that Mel is my soulmate, and I’ll always have love for her.
But I promised I wouldn’t bring that up again unless she asked me to, and I will never push that on her unwanted.
And yet, if we aren’t on speaking terms, how will I ever know if things could end differently?
I’d rather us remain friends than not have her in my life at all. That point has been driven home every single day she’s been gone.
The three hour flight is a complete blur. I zone out, staring down at the cerulean expanse below us. Landing, grabbing my bag, and hailing a cab are done on auto-pilot. My nerves are alight, humming with an intensity that has my skin tight and my heart pounding.
Pulling up to an ancient-looking apartment building, I glance down at my phone to double check the address I pried out of Evan two days ago. He’d reluctantly given in, stating, “Don’t make me regret this, Kane. And tell my sister I said I fucking miss her.”
Will do, Evan.
I step onto the curb, the light, LA breeze ruffling my hair. Pulling my backpack on, I walk up to the front doors of the building and scan the name plates listed on the plaque attached to the wall.
Baker, Mellie.
There you are.
Taking a deep breath, I press the buzzer for Mellie’s apartment number, and step back, waiting.
A moment goes by with no response. I buzz again with the same result. Blowing out a puff of air, I slide my hands under my backpack straps and turn to face the road.
Okay, maybe she’s not home. This was an impulsive decision to come here, after all. She’s probably got friends and plans, and…oh, Jesus—what if she’s got a partner up there with her?
This was stupid. I should have at least called her before I quite literally showed up on her doorstep.
I take a few steps down the road, aiming for a bench.
Sinking down, I hang my head, running my hands through my hair in frustration.
Not sure why I just assumed she’d be home, but I suppose I can wait out here for a little while and try to catch her when she returns.
It feels a bit creepy, but I’m not sure what else to do.
Just as I’m about to give in and send her a text message, a car pulls up to the curb where my own cab had deposited me not ten minutes earlier.
The door is flung open and two women spill out onto the sidewalk amid loud, thumping music, giggling drunkenly and arms draped together to hold each other upright.
The taller woman breaks away to lean into the driver side window, saying something loud but indecipherable to the driver before the car pulls away.
She turns to the smaller woman next to her and my heart completely stops as she leans down and kisses her, pushing her up against the front doors of the apartment building.
The taller woman’s hair is tucked into a slouchy beanie, so I stupidly hadn’t recognized her at first glance. But that smaller woman I would know anywhere, that pale pink hair a dead giveaway.
Bree. Bree and Mellie? The sharp slice of betrayal spears me directly in the chest. Mellie wouldn’t risk her friendship with me, but Bree is worth the leap of faith? My mind spins, trying to wrap itself around this new reality, but I’m faltering, my vision tunneling.
I haven’t spoken to Bree in a few weeks, and the last time I did she certainly didn’t mention that she and Mel were a thing.
A thing currently making out in a very intimate fashion against a very public building.
And I’m the very creepy man currently sitting on a bench gaping at them, unable to tear my eyes away.
Mellie finally pulls away for a breath, tucking Bree’s pink hair behind her ears and presenting a key from her back pocket. In a flash, the door is unlocked and my two best friends in the entire world vanish inside, the slamming door echoing through my empty heart.