Page 7 of Pieces of Us
“Is it okay if I do? I sort of want to hold you right now.”
“That sounds perfect.” She snuggles her face to my neck.
“Do you like pancakes?”
She laughs. “I do. Why do you ask?”
“Pancakes are my favorite breakfast food. We should go get pancakes in the morning.”
“Okay, we can do that.”
“I know the best place in Boston.”
“Can’t wait.” She lets out a small yawn. “Thanks for the orgasms, pretty boy.”
“You’re welcome, bubbles.”
I wake up and it’s still dark out, and my mouth is so dry I have to peel my tongue from the roof of my mouth. Melonie is sleeping beside me, and I watch her for a minute. She took me by surprise tonight—easy to talk to, sexy as hell, able to keep up with me. I could lie here watching her sleep like a weirdo, but instead, I go in search of water. Quietly rolling out of her bed and walking down the hall, I find the fridge in the kitchen. Thank goodness there are bottles of water inside. Grabbing one,I open it and start drinking, holding the door open with my hip. People’s refrigerators fascinate me. Hers is almost on an OCD level, everything organized and in neat rows. The door of the freezer above catches my eye, covered in pictures. I’m mid sip when I almost choke and spit my water all over myself.
My eyes focus in the darkness to see half of the pictures are of Melonie and G with a woman who looks a hell of a lot like Audrey. Jax’s Audrey from Jamaica. The woman he met while we were there on vacation three years ago. He fell head over heels for her before she left him there, and they never spoke again.
What the fuck? This can’t be possible. But as I scan the pictures, I know it’s her.
The pictures are of various moments—out at restaurants, the three of them hugging in front of a Christmas tree, smiling on a beach, wearing numbers on their chests for a 5K. Audrey isn’t just someone in her circle, they’re close. I run my hand down my face. Shit, I fucked up.
If I stay or if I see Melonie again, I know I’ll run into Audrey sooner rather than later. I can’t do that to Jax. I can’t bring Audrey or one of her friends into our circle. It was so hard for him to move on after that week in Jamaica. I’m still not sure if he ever fully got over her.
I finish my water and head back to the bedroom to get dressed. I quietly pull on my jeans and shirt. Before I leave the room, I stand and look at Melonie tangled in the sheets. I hate myself for what I’m about to do, but I need to protect Jax. My chest feels tight because I don’t like hurting people, and I’m a little sad that I won’t get the chance to see where this could have gone.
It was over before it could even begin.
Chapter One
Melonie
Present
My best friend just got engaged, and it was the sweetest thing ever.
Gigi and I had been helping Jax plan it for about a month, and seeing the look on Audrey’s face when he dropped to one knee was so special. The two of them met almost four years ago, when they both vacationed at the same resort in Jamaica. They had an amazing week together, but Audrey, with her self-doubt,left him there. They didn’t see each other for three years, until divine intervention stepped in and placed Audrey at the same marketing firm where Jax worked; they tried to fight the feelings that they hid for the three years they were apart, but eventually, they couldn’t deny the love they had for each other, and now, they’re engaged.
The proposal was perfect. Jax put together the best make-believe Jamaica anyone could ask for in Boston during December. We borrowed his parents’ beach chairs; I found fake palm trees; Gigi had some plastic flamingos in her storage unit, and we hired a Bob Marley cover band. After the tears and her saying yes about twenty times, Gigi and I hurried to Audrey’s side to see the ring. Jax wouldn’t let us see it before Audrey did, so when she held her hand out and the simple, sophisticated diamond sparkled, we both squealed. Jax did good.
After the excitement died down, we were all invited to Jax’s parents’ home to celebrate. They had food catered, and we had our pick of beer and wine. Everyone ate, talked, laughed, and there were a lot of hugs. Jax’s family is so sweet, and seeing Audrey so in love completely warms my soul.
The only downside to today’s events is having to see Oliver. Ugh, I mean Linc. Between Jax’s two best friends, I prefer Marcus; he’s quiet and I can see through his grumpy demeanor to his kindness. Linc, on the other hand, says whatever’s on his mind, and whenever I’m around him, I’m reminded of the night we spent together. When I smell his cologne or hear his voice, I’m hit with regret—flashes of us laughing, the way his cock felt inside me, and then the disappointment of waking up alone. You can probably understand how this could drive a woman insane.
I never thought I would see him again after that night. Then Audrey invited Gigi and me to a fundraiser a few months ago so we could spend time with Jax and meet his two closest friends. When I saw his face and he called me “bubbles,” I was filled withshock and anger, wanting to run out of there. I also discovered that night that he even used his middle name, Oliver, when he introduced himself. Probably so I wouldn’t be able to find him after the fact. I would never think that Jax could be friends with someone like him.
The night I met Linc, I just wanted to let go and be spontaneous. Work had been a pain in the ass for weeks, and I needed to let go of the stress. I wanted to dance, feel sexy, be sexy. I wanted an orgasm or two. I got the orgasms, but he got up and left in the middle of the night. Thus, the one-night stand. An incredible one-night stand, but one that left me more angry than satisfied once the endorphins wore off. I still haven’t forgiven him for leaving that night. But I put on my happy face and avoid him any way I can when we all hang out. Audrey’s happiness matters more than my sexual misjudgment.
Jax raises his glass and whistles to get our attention. Audrey wraps her arms around his waist, looking up at him with lovesick eyes. “Thank you all for being here to celebrate with Audrey and me. Friends and family are so important to us, and knowing we have your support and love means everything. That being said, we already spoke about it, and we’re planning a March wedding. And we would love to ask a couple of you to help.”
Audrey smiles. “Gigi, Emma, I would love for you to be my bridesmaids.” Gigi shoots a fist in the air, then Audrey looks at me. “Melonie, will you be my maid of honor?”
My cheeks flush with the attention of the room on me. “I would love to!” I wrap my arms around her.
Jax smiles. “Now that the ladies are organized, Marcus, Dad, I’d like to have you stand with me. And Linc, think you could be my best man?”
