Chapter 27: Chapter 27

MELODY

After Xavier left, we drank another cup of coffee, reminiscing about the old days, thinking back to a time of our fondest memories, when we’d become friends and how our friendship had grown stronger day by day.

Dan, Mia, Sandy, Jacob, and I had been inseparable.

Our days had consisted of visiting local destinations like beaches and favorite coffee shops and restaurants.

In the evenings, we’d go to bars and clubs, doing a lot of drinking. We’d striven to enjoy every minute we could.

After spending some time with Dan, now I was packed, in the car, and we were driving to New York. I turned on the radio and leaned my head against the window.

I wiggled in my seat until I was sitting comfortably. I was still sore from last night. I blushed at the memory.

“Are you sure about settling in New York?” Dan asked.

“I am,” I answered, and he gave me a quick grin and then returned his gaze to the road.

“And telling your parents about your new boyfriend,” he said with a little distaste. “Are you going to tell them we broke up?”

I rolled my eyes. “I don’t know anything yet. I haven’t thought about it, but I will tell them soon.” I turned my attention back to look out the window.

“Till then, you will be sharing your new boyfriend with your sister.”

“I will not share him with anyone, not even with my sister,” I hissed.

“He is still her boyfriend.” His jaw twitched as he ground his teeth together.

I glared at him and matched his slow tone. “He is not,” I shot back and told him about their arrangement. His expression morphed into fury.

“You’re telling me about this now, and you’re okay with it?” he growled angrily.

I shrugged. Not that I had a choice other than to be okay with his past. He’d promised me that he would talk to Lisa and his other friends.

I shuddered at the thought of him with Lisa. I needed to talk with Lisa first.

I wanted to know about their relationship, whatever was between them, and I wanted to make it clear between us about everything, the past, present, and future.

I knew I was playing with fire, but sometimes, you needed to be burned to feel.

And I was ready for anything.

Only for Xavier.

We had been driving silently for two hours. Dan wasn’t happy with my decision, but I knew he would support me and understand me. “How much longer?” I nodded toward the GPS.

He flicked his gaze to the GPS as well.

“Half an hour,” he muttered, still angry.

“Have you talked to anyone lately? Mia, Sandy, or Matt?” I asked to start a conversation.

“Mia called last night after you hung up,” he said shortly.

I frowned. “Yeah?”

He nodded. “They’re getting married next month.”

“OMG! Really?” I screamed. He nodded.

“Why didn’t she call me, then?” I asked, frowning.

“She wanted to, but I told her you were busy.” I didn’t say anything, sensing he didn’t want to talk. The silence was soon broken by my phone.

I smiled when I saw the name across my screen. Xavier had saved his number with the name ~Sexy Stranger~.

I swiped to answer and placed the phone to my ear. “Hey,” I whispered.

“I’m missing you already,” he said. “Are you still sore?”

I blushed and nodded, even though he couldn’t see me. “Little,” I whispered.

“Where are you now?” he asked.

“You can come and see us outside your house,” I said as we drove past his main gate. It wasn’t just a beach house. It was like a huge mansion.

“Are you sure you’re a lawyer?” I asked, looking at the huge bungalow. It was gorgeous.

“Why, Miss Adam? You still don’t trust me?” he asked in a teasing tone.

“Well, I don’t know if a lawyer can afford this beautiful huge mansion,” I said. I was still in awe, looking at the scenery.

Dan cut the engine and opened the door for me. I hopped out and saw Xavier walking toward us with my family behind him.

Mom rushed toward me and pulled me into a hug and turned to Dan. “Good to see you again, Dan,” she said and hugged him too.

“Thank you, Mrs. Adam. It’s very nice to see you as well,” he replied and returned the hug. Mom beamed at his response.

“Call me Ruby,” she said softly.

He nodded and greeted my whole family. We went inside and sat in the living room. I sat with Dan, and Xavier sat with Lisa.

“I’m sorry for being an ass,” Dan whispered, leaning closer.

I smiled and squeezed his hand. “I’m sorry.”

“You’re glowing, Mel,” Lisa said, interrupting us. “Are you sure you’re not pregnant?” she asked, giggling.

I groaned. “Not again, Lisa,” I said.

“She isn’t now, but hopefully, she will be next month,” Dan said smugly, kissing the back of my hand. Xavier paled at hearing about pregnancy. He wasn’t angry at Dan’s comments.

“Nope, I’m on the pill, so there’s no chance I’m getting pregnant anytime soon.” I paused and looked at Xavier, and his shoulders relaxed a little.

“But I want a family one day, maybe two or three kids,” I said deliberately to see Xavier’s reaction, and I thought he tensed again.

~Does he not want kids in the future?~

~

Dan put his arm around me. “Don’t worry. I’ll give you as many kids as you want. Why don’t we start practicing now?” He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

“Xavier doesn’t like kids,” Lisa said.

“So, have you guys talked about the future?” I asked through clenched teeth. She looked at Xavier with longing and shook her head.

“I need to take a shower, Xavier. Can you show us our room?” I asked.

“Yeah, sure.” He stood and we followed him. After passing the kitchen and dining room and going through the hallway, he opened the third door.

The room was beautiful, with a king-size four-poster bed, a private balcony, and a patio from where I could see the ocean.

“Only the best for my girl,” he whispered in my ear, wrapping his arm around my waist. I leaned my back against his chest.

“It’s beautiful.” I moaned when his lips traveled down the column of my throat. I stepped away when I heard Dan’s voice behind me.

“I would like to take a nap, if you don’t mind,” he said, looking at Xavier.

Xavier scowled at Dan.

“Baby, it’s our room,” Lisa said, coming inside. Tension seized the entire room. Silence was all that followed Lisa’s statement.

“Our room?” My eyes turned to Xavier. His jaw clenched, and he turned to Lisa.

“Last time I checked, it was my room, Lisa.”

“But—”

“It’s okay. I’ll take another room if you have an extra, or we can check in at a motel; no problem,” I said as softly as I could.

I was holding back the anger that was growing. I looked toward the bed and shuddered at the thought of them in it together, naked.

~Oh my God!! I feel like I’m going to be sick.~

~

Dan’s nostrils flared. I knew he was angry at the situation because I’d told him about their so-called arrangement.

“No, you are staying here.”

I got the courage from somewhere deep inside and turned to face him. “I will not stay in this room, Xavier. Either give me a guest room, or I will check into the nearest motel.”

“Fine,” he gritted out.

We moved our bags to the guest room. I closed the door as fast as I could after Xavier left. I leaned my head against the door, punching the nearest wall with my fist.

“Is it supposed to hurt this much?” I whispered hoarsely.

The feelings in me were too strong, the emotions like a violent storm.

Dan shrugged. “I’ve never been in love.” I nodded. It was all I could do.

My phone vibrated. It was Xavier.

Xavier

I am sorry. Can we talk?

I didn’t respond to his text. I wanted to believe we could work this out.

“Don’t cry,” Dan said, standing up. I hadn’t known I was.

“Come,” Dan led me to bed. “Let’s take a nap. I am fucking tired.”

“I’m tired too,” I whispered and climbed inside the sheets, comfortably.

Dan didn’t say a thing.

Neither did I.