Page 48 of A Family Affair: The Ring
He turned to find Melanie rushing toward him, in jeans and a sweatshirt, wet hair hanging from her shoulders.The wet hair reminded him of the comments the ex had made about the shower, and that infuriated him.It had been eight years since anyone had such a hold on him, his moods, his future—and it wasnota good feeling.
“Don’t leave.”
“Three’s a crowd, and I’m obviously the intruder.”He’d been a fool to believe her yet again.
“Alec showed up last night.I didn’t know he was coming.”
He should just stay quiet, but he couldn’t.“That’s awfully convenient, considering I told you I couldn’t see you last night.”Did Alec Laurence really think he still had a shot with Melanie?Why hadn’t she told the guy there wasnochance becauseWillwas part of her future?Why hadn’t she made sure he understood exactly what she and Will meant to each other?
And why had the guy slept there instead of getting a place at the Heart Sent?
Why?Damn it, why?
“Talk to me, Will.”
“He’s trying to win you back.You do know that, don’t you?”The rush of color to her face gave him his answer.“Of course, you know.”
“I told him it’s not going to happen, and he understands.”
“Really?”Will shook his head, blew out a loud sigh.“I’m not so sure about that.In fact, I think he’s waiting for us to fall apart so he can sweep in and convince you to change your mind about him.”
“No, it’s not like that at all.”
“It’s not?So, I didn’t see him hanging out at your house like he belonged there?No shoes, no socks, wet hair?”
“Stop it.You know better.”
“You mean Ishouldhave known better.”He dragged a hand through his hair, wished for once life with Melanie could be clear-cut and without ambiguities or doubt.Was the doctor ex lying?If so, why would he do that other than to cause problems between Will and Melanie?“I always seem to walk in on situations that make no sense and then people tell me it’s not what I think or it’s not what I saw.In fact, it wasn’t real, but a figment of my overactive imagination.”He scowled.“Do I look like I have an overactive imagination?People have said a lot of things about me, but that’s not one of them.So, what’s going on here?Is this another story like the one about our parents?I didn’t really see your ex looking way too casual in your house, and you weren’t really taking a shower?”He eyed her wet hair.“And he didn’t tell me he was waiting for me to screw up so he could get another shot with you?”
“Why would he say that when I told him it wasn’t going to happen?”
She really did look confused and annoyed, but the annoyance was aimed at him!“I don’t know, maybe because he’s in love with you?”
“Don’t you trust me?”She fisted her hands on her hips, waited for him to answer.When he hesitated, she frowned.“You don’t, do you?”
Anger and jealousy made a guy lose common sense and any hope of rational thinking.“You want the truth?Sure, I’ll give you the truth.At this moment in our relationship after everything we’ve been through, I trust you—” his gaze narrowed on the wet hair, dipped to her slippers “—but not 100%.”
“Did you honestly just say that?”Those hazel eyes singed him.“If I’m not in the 100% category, what percent am I?50%?65%?93%?Or did I fall back to 20%?And how do I get to 100%?”A big scowl and a snarl.“Or won’t Ieverget there?”
He wished he were at work, perusing financials instead of putting on a display in her driveway.No doubt the doctor ex was enjoying the show.The knowledge that the jerk could be witnessing this argument made Will spit out words he’d later regret.“It’s going to take time.”
“How convenient for you to adjust your commitment levelafterwe’ve slept together.”She advanced on him, jabbed a finger against his chest.“I’ll tell you what?If you want to think I slept with him last night, go ahead.Maybe we showered together, too, like you and I did the other morning and—”
“Stop it.”
“Why?You want to believe the worst and no matter what I say, you aren’t going to trust me 100%, right?Why trust me at all?Why not turn me into a villain so you can have an excuse toneverget close to me again.That’s what this is all about.Getting close and trusting each other, and that means 100%.But that’s not going to happen because you’re too afraid.Fine, at least I found out before we went any further in our relationship.”
“What are you saying?”He clenched his jaw so hard, his teeth hurt.
“I’m saying relationships are about trust and honesty, and hard work.They’re about being there for the other person, caring for and about them, no matter what.You’re not interested in doing that, not all-in, no matter how much you say you are.You, Will Callahan, are about convenience and being there until it gets difficult or messy.Above all, you’re going to protect yourself and make sure no one ever hurts you again—especially me.Well, I’m not interested in that.”She took another step back, held up a hand.“Goodbye, Will.I hope you find someone you can trust 100% because anything less just isn’t worth it.”
And then she turned and walked out of his life.
28
Looks like Melanie and Will are done for good this time.
It only took eight years, but it finally happened.
