A weighted pause lingered while Melanie continued to stare, and Jäger did his best to get everyone’s attention.
“How long has this been … a thing?” Melanie asked, gesturing between him and Stevie.
“A while,” he said at the same time Stevie said, “Not long.”
Melanie looked both surprised and horrified. “When we were together?”
“God, no,” Nico exhaled harshly.
She clearly didn’t believe him, her eyes swimming with tears when she met his gaze. “Is she the reason you broke up with me?”
“No,” he said adamantly.
It was clear from her expression that she wasn’t listening. The next words out of her mouth proved it. “You were cheating?”
“No,” Stevie said, this time jerking her hand from Nico’s grip. “Y’all should talk. Alone.”
She didn’t give him a chance to call after her before she raced out of the room. A second later, he heard her bedroom door slam shut.
Melanie dabbed at her eyes as though she’d actually been crying. “When did you get a dog?”
Nico stared at the hallway, torn between sitting still and going after Stevie.
“Niyah gave him to me when she moved,” he said absently, continuing to stare at the hallway.
“You hate dogs.”
Nico’s gaze slammed into his ex-girlfriend. “What?”
“You told me you hate dogs.”
“No.Youhate dogs. You decided I did, too.”
Melanie had decided a lot of things for him when they were together, and he’d gone along with it because it was easier that way. In his defense, he’d been trying to build a normal life because he hadn’t been brave enough to go after what he wanted.
“Why are you here?” he prompted, eager to move this along so he could talk to Stevie.
“I heard a rumor.”
That got his attention, plus it made perfect sense, answering the question of why she was there. “Doesn’t surprise me. It’s a small town. People need shit to talk about.”
“Someone mentioned they thought you were gay.” Melanie glanced over her shoulder. “But I guess they were wrong since you’re playing house with your sister’s friend.”
One thing he’d always admired about Melanie was how prim and proper she was. She didn’t get riled easily, nor did she lose her temper. She buried shit underneath the facade of propriety. Except right now, he didn’t admire it. It pissed him off because it was clear she wanted to confront him, but she would simply pick and poke until he erupted, and there was no time for that.
“They weren’t wrong,” he corrected.
Melanie's head snapped back around, her eyes wide. “What?”
“And I’m not playin’ house with Stevie.”
Her mouth opened, but nothing came out.
“I’m in love with Stevie,” he said, keeping his tone calm.
“How…?” Her forehead creased in confusion. “How does that make you gay?”
“Bisexual, actually.” Nico exhaled. “I’m also in love with a man.”
