Standing at the counter, I pull the carrots from the strainer after I rinse them and place them on the chopping board. My eyes stay focused on her office door. Knowing he’s in there, alone with the woman I love, is killing me.
I pick up the knife, the weight familiar in my hand, an extension of my soul. One by one, I begin chopping the carrots. A series of sharp, crisp thuds echo in the room. The orange treat releases a subtle, fresh crunch as the blade meets the board.
Once I’m done, I pick up a head of lettuce, my jaw clenching as anger continues to consume me. My knife slices through it, a steady, sharp sound of 'snick-snick', mingled with the gentle 'thud' of the blade and the fresh crunch of the vegetables as they break apart.
Mels’ raised voice pierces my ears, and I stop, the knife still in mid-strike, as he opens the door. He steps out, slamming it behind him. A self-satisfied smirk plays at the corners of my mouth. I revel in the fact that she kicked him out, not falling for his false chivalry.
“What the fuck you lookin’ at?” he barks at me, causing me to laugh.
“You, asshole. How big an idiot are you to push the best woman in the world right out of your fucking life? But hey, thanks for that. It makes it easier for me to move in on her.”
Earl steps toward me, hands fisted, not even caring I got a fucking knife in my hand. Guess he really is a dumb fucker. It could be pierced through his heart in a matter of seconds.
“I think you’ve forgotten who I am. But I’m gonna let it slide this time. Just know I’m not goin’ anywhere and Mel is going to be my ol’ lady.” With that, he turns and storms out of the kitchen.
I’ll give it to the dick; it seems he’s finally got his head on straight. The sound of something falling and hitting the floor inMels’ office pulls my attention. I place the knife on the chopping board and head in that direction.
My heart wants to run to her, but my feet remind me to play it cool. Mels, although the strongest woman I know, is still very much fragile and guarded, and pushing her too hard could end everything. It’s a fine line of give and take with her, and so far I’m teetering on the edge. One false move could send her running back into that dick’s arms and out of mine.
When I open the door, Mels’ sitting on the floor, head in her hands as her shoulders rise and fall as her breaths come in heaving gasps. I rush across the room, dropping to the floor in front of her.
“Mels, are you okay? Did that fucker hurt you?”
I take hold of her shoulders, her body trembling beneath my touch. Her lips are barely moving, repeating the same faint word repeatedly, “No.”
A deep masculine voice is calling her name, but it’s faint, almost muffled. Looking around, I see her phone on the floor beside her. I let go of her to pick it up and hold it to my ear.
“Melissa, are you there?” the person asks, his voice rising as he speaks between gasps.
“Who is this?”
“Where’s Melissa?” the smartass fucker asks again, avoiding my question as if he hadn’t heard it.
“Indisposed by whatever the fuck you said to her.” With that, I end the fucking call. I need to care for my woman. Something he said sent her into a near catatonic state, and I know it wasn’t good.
I sit down beside her, slipping my arm around her waist and pulling her close to me.
“Shh, Mels baby. What’s wrong? Talk to me,” I whisper softly, trying to keep my voice soothing.
Nothing from her, but sobs.
What the fuck!
“Mels, come on, baby. Tell me what happened and who the fuck I’m going to kill. Was it Earl? That ass on the phone? Both of them? Just tell me.”
She shifts her body, resting her head on my chest as she slips her arm around my waist. We sit like this for the next thirty minutes. Neither of us are talking, just me, being there for her.
Then, out of nowhere, she sits up, wipes the tears from her face and stands.
“Thank you, Jax.” She steps over to the mirror, looking at her slightly disheveled reflection in the mirror. Mels lifts her hands, running her fingers through her platinum blonde locks, before wiping away the smudges from her eyeliner and mascara. All the while I watch, taking in each miniscule movement she makes, trying to piece together what happened.
“Mels—” I step closer to her.
“No, Jaxton. Please don’t ask me questions that I’m not going to give you the answer to. Can you close the diner tonight? Janice is off. I’m not feeling well and I need to go home and rest.”
“You know I can, Mels. But—” I place my hand on her shoulder but she pulls away, cracking my heart.
“There’s no but. Can you leave me so I can finish up what I need to do?”
