Noah chuckles, popping the top off another beer, “Well, it’s not like she’ll be single for long. She’s probably already got the next guy lined up.” Grinding my teeth together, I tense my muscles to keep myself from beating my older brother up.
Thankfully, the loud bang on the door signals that someone’s here with their hands full, and all of us jump into action to help set up the house for poker night.
My cards have been shit tonight. That, coupled with the fact that I can’t get my brother’s dumb comment out of my head has me regretting leaving Mel’s warm arms.
Irritated, I throw my cards down, folding my hand before leaving the table and heading to the porch outside.
I need to think.
Is Noah right? Does Mel go from relationship to relationship? Am I just another stop along the way?
Sitting on the porch swing, elbows resting on my knees, head in my hands, I think. Mel’s a beautiful woman, always has been. She has a way of making everyone’s day better just by being there. She’s a literal ray of sunshine—my Sunny.
Thinking all the way back to high school when she first started dating, she always had a steady stream of guys vying for her affection. Hadn’t Tanner and I been the ones to fight off the ones we deemed unworthy? It wasn’t uncommon for her to be surrounded by a group of guys—Mel always seemed to fit right in—plus she didn’t have very many girlfriends.
Has she always gone from guy to guy?
I try to think back to all of her past boyfriends who I never liked—which I now understand was because I’ve been in love with her and probably have been my whole life. The most recent one, Kyle, pops into my mind. He’s an arrogant prick. I only met him one time shortly after they started dating, but I could tell he was an asshole through and through. Before him was that burly bald club security guy, and before him was the nerdy guy with the glasses. Mel does seem to have had a lot of boyfriends. Not that it made me think less of her—she’s incredible—but she does have a pattern.
Running my hands down my face, I sigh.Am I the next guy on the list? Am I just the guy she uses to get over her ex?
No, I can’t think that way. Deep in my gut, I know that things are different between us. We’ve known each other most of our lives. Hell, I’ve been in love with her for most of that time, but I can’t stop the doubt from sinking in.
Before we started this thing between us, I told her that I can’t lose her. That I can’t ruin the friendship we have. She’s the most important person in my life, and I’m scared I’m going to lose her for good if we continue things. I can’t just be another stop along the road for her. I need to know that she’s with me because she feels the same way for me as I do for her.
My chest feels like someone has ripped it open and has my heart squeezed in their grasp as they twist and pull. I don’t want to do this, but I don’t see any other way.
Chapter 13
Melissa
It’s Saturday night and Gabe is working at the station, so that means girls’ night! It’s long overdue and I’m looking forward to spending time with my sister and Christy.
Christy, Everly, and I leave Holden’s penthouse and head to the club. I haven’t been back here since the night Ev and Holden met, and it almost feels likedéjà vu.
Everly’s boyfriend is a legit billionaire, and they met by chance here at the club. Holden was checking the club out intending to buy it and I had dragged Everly here on a whim. They’ve been together ever since. Holden and his business partner ended up purchasing the club, so he is constantly flying back to Chicago from New York City to see Everly. They’re adorable and I’m thrilled for my sister. She deserves to have someone like Holden to take care of her, and she’s glowing. Seeing how smitten they are with one another brings a smile to my face.
Looking around, it seems that there haven’t been many changes made. Everly mentioned more advertising for the club, and it’s working. People are packed at the bar and on the dance floor, the bass of the music reverberating through my chest. Lucky for us Holden owns the club so we can lounge in the VIP area and get free drinks.
“Drink up!” Christy passes out shots of tequila while we sit in a booth upstairs. All three of us tap the bottom of the glass on the table and toss the liquid back.
Damn, Holden must have told them to give us the good stuff.
Warmth from the alcohol blooms in my stomach and instantly I feel like dancing. Grabbing both of their hands, I pull Christy and Everly down the stairs to the dance floor. “Let’s go ladies! Time to dance!” It’s packed tonight, but we somehow make our way to the middle of the dance floor.
Dancing is one of my life-long loves. It’s a shame that I never had the opportunity to take dance classes, but the budget was tight growing up. Twirling my hips, I lift my arm in the air as the three of us move together. I’m glad that Ev was able to come out with us. It’s nice to see her let loose every once in a while.
The pounding rhythm of the beat is my only focus as we dance and I lose myself completely. As usual, it doesn’t take long for a pair of large hands to circle my waist.
An unsettling feeling washes over me as an unfamiliar body settles behind me. This is typical of a night at the club—it’s normally something I love about coming here. I’ve never had any qualms about dancing with strangers, but something doesn’t feel right about this.
Instantly, I know that Gabe would hate it. He’d hate the fact that someone else’s hands were all over my body. With previous boyfriends, I didn’t care what they thought about it. I liked to have a good time, and there was no harm in dancing with whoever I wanted. I’d never take anything farther than dancing—I’m not a cheater. But with Gabe, I know this would be a problem for him. Uncomfortable with the situation, I gently pull the stranger’s hands off my waist and move away from him. Thankfully he understands and moves along to dance with someone else. Not wanting someone else’s hands on me, I stick closer to my sister.
We’ve been dancing a long time when Everly motions that she’s going back upstairs. Turning, I see that Christy is wrapped around a ridiculously handsome man and is completely oblivious to anyone but him.Get it, girl.Still, I nudge her arm and point upstairs. Christy nods at me before turning back to her dance partner.
Ev is sitting at our booth with a bottle of water with her phone out, no doubt texting Holden. Grabbing the attention of the waitress, I signal for another bottle of water to be brought to the table before sitting down. “Everything going okay?” I know that she doesn’t like going out, so I make sure to check on her.
Grinning up at me, she says, “Oh, yeah. I’m good. These shoes are killing me and Holden’s been checkin in. He’s trying not to be overbearing, but I know he worries.”
