breath and modifies his request. “Don’t give up on our friendship.”
There is so much I can say, but sometimes, you have to know when to fold your losing hand.
“Sure thing. Look, I’m going to head back. I’ll see you later.”
“I’m not letting you walk alone,” he insists. I start heading back the way I came. “Can you get on the bike?”
“I can’t make you head back without me, but I’m not getting on that bike. I want to walk, so that’s what I’m going to do. See how that works both ways?”
“I’m not going to argue with you over this.”
“Suit yourself.”
He grabs his motorcycle as I walk past him. He pushes it alongside me in silence. He looks absolutely ridiculous, yet the effort is noted. I only wonder if it’s a day late and a dollar short.
We arrive back at the house in no time. I just need to get to my room. His presence is like a heavy cloak, suffocating and unwavering. He parks his bike next to the house as I all but sprint up to my room. I throw on a tank and sleep shorts just prior to Melissa entering unannounced. I know this can’t be good. I look around her to see if Phoenix is coming in with her.
“He’s downstairs,” she says as she closes the door, answering my unasked question.
“What do you want?” Fuck pleasantries. She isn’t here for anything good.
“He denies you, you know? He doesn’t claim you or any past romantic involvements with you.”
“Again,” I say more forcefully, “what do you want?”
“It doesn’t matter. I know the signs. You want him. Somewhere along the line, he gave you false hope. He thinks of you as a friend, but you see him as more. Buying your time. Closing in with false stories of stood-up blind dates. You totally have the hots for him.”
This clueless bitch couldn’t be any further from the truth. I smirk.
“I guess you have it all figured out then.”
At this point, I’m just trying to push her buttons. She obviously came up here to push mine. I could fuck her whole world by spilling what we were up to in the bed she sleeps in with him—since clearly my wanting him is one-sided.
“More than you know. But guess what? Our history runs deeper than anything you can imagine. The things we’ve explored together would blow your little vanilla mind. It takes a certain type of woman to even keep his attention, and I’m the only woman who’s ever wrecked him by leaving him. What does that tell you?
“How about, I don’t give a flying fuck?” I snap.
My once frozen veins thaw with venom. I want to throat punch her ass.
“I’ll give you a clue anyway. It means I’m irreplaceable. In case he didn’t fill you in, we have some things we need to work on, and that’s why I’m here. He wants things to be the way they were before. He has access to all the pussy that his rising fame affords, but guess what? He still chooses me over a mere casual fuck.”
“Girl, your warnings are in vain but say whatever you need to make yourself feel better. Instead of being up here trying to warn me off your guy, you should go be with him. I’m good.”
I wave my hand to dismiss her. She rolls her eyes and heads for the door. She pauses for a beat and then turns and gives me one final warning. “Just stay the fuck away from him.” She leaves on that note, satisfied to get in the last word.
She runs into Lily on the way out. “What was that about?” Lily asks as soon as she thinks Melissa is out of earshot.
“Nothing worth repeating. Just warning me to stay away from Phoenix.”
“Why in the hell did she feel the need to do that? I mean, Asher and I were both surprised to see her back early. We knew you had gone down to the beach and that Phoenix had followed you out there. What happened?”
“Aren’t you watching movies with my brother?” I force a fake giggle, but it falls flat.
“I told him to pause it—that I’d be back.”
“Honestly, I don’t feel like rehashing it all right now. It’s nothing detrimental or worth losing quality time with your man over. I can give you the gist tomorrow over tea when the guys leave for rehearsal.”
She looks at me, unconvinced. The pity in her eyes matches Phoenix’s earlier. “Are you sure? Asher would understand.”
Sure the