Mel fastened the clasp on her bra and then adjusted her skirt into place. When she caught me staring, she grinned. “What?” she asked, her eyes shining playfully.

“Nothing. Come here.” I reached for her hand and pulled her onto my lap. Her neck was red and tender from where I’d bitten down. I couldn’t help it. It was like something came over me when I was around her and the need to taste every inch of her was something I couldn’t control. I was a possessed man. I loved every damn second of it.

I pressed my mouth to the darkest spot on her skin and kissed there. Mel let out a long, contented sigh and leaned into my touch. “I hope Bessy got home okay.”

I raised my brows and shot her a grin. “Now you’re worried?” I said, causing her to smirk. “You feel bad for making her leave?” I asked, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

Mel swung her leg over mine to straddle me. “You really think I made her leave?”

“But—”

“She leaves at the same time every time. I just hurried her along, is all. Why? Were you feeling bad?”

“No.” I frowned. Mel raised her brows. “Fine.” I sighed. “Maybe a little.”

My admission caused an adorable smile to spread across her cheeks. “You like her?” she flung her arms around my neck.

“She knocked me out.” I slipped my arms around her.

Mel chucked her head back and laughed before her eyes fell to mine. “I’m sorry. I should’ve warned you about the bat.”

“Wait.” I sat up straight. “You knew that crazy bitch had a bat and you didn’t think to mention it?”

Mel bit her lip, shaking her head. “I didn’t think she’d actually use it.”

“Well, she did,” I groaned out, pointing to the overly large bump on the side of my head.

Mel shot me an apologetic look, trying hard to hide her smile.

“I’m going to tell my parents,” I blurted out, changing the subject.

“You are?” she said, surprised by my sudden announcement.

“You were right. They need to know.”

“For what it’s worth, I think you’re doing the right thing. It’s already all over the Internet, so it won’t be long before they find out. Imagine how they’d feel hearing it from someone else.”

“I know. It’s just gonna suck. I don’t even want to think what it’ll do to them,” I said honestly.

“I don’t know. I think they might surprise you.”

“I hope so.” I sighed. “Anyway, it got me thinking…”

“Careful…” She grinned. “That could be dangerous considering you’ve just had a bump to the head.”

“A bump?”

Mel rolled her big brown eyes and said, “Fine. A blow. A big blow.”

“Better. Anyway…” I started, bracing myself for what I was about to say next. I didn’t come over to fuck her. Although that had been a bonus. There was a reason why and I wasn’t sure it was such a good idea anymore.

When I met her eyes, she was frowning. “What is it?”

I sat up even straighter. “This stuff with your parents and Shawn?”

“What about it?”

Just spit it out, Jake, I told myself.

Right.

This was it.

“I know how hard it’s been on you, and even though you try to hide it, making out you’re okay, I know you’re not. I reckon it might help if you spoke to someone.” There. I said it. I dipped my head slightly and scratched the back of my neck as I awaited her response. Mel looked at me as though I’d just told her that her cat had died. Not that she even had a cat or anything, but…

“You think I’m crazy?’ Her voice was soft and unsure, her eyes searching mine for any truth behind her words.

“No. No, I don’t think you’re crazy. I just think it might help if you spoke to someone about your pain, that’s all.”

“I speak to you. And Bessy. And a few weeks ago, I would’ve spoken to Frankie, too.”

“I know, babe. And I’m here for you, I really am. But maybe speaking to someone that doesn’t know you might be the way forward.” I arched my back, lifting us both a fraction, and dug in the back pocket of my jeans for the card I’d picked up that morning. When I handed it over, Mel frowned. “I found this place online while I was searching. It’s a small place, just in the centre of town. I did a tonne of research and the testimonials look good.”

“Jake…” Mel breathed out, closing her eyes.

“Don’t dismiss the idea. Just say you’ll think about it. Okay?”

Mel sighed and nodded, her eyes unsure and vulnerable. “Fine. I’ll think about it. Although, I really don’t think it’s necessary.”

“You don’t know that unless you give it a try.” I smiled.

“Okay,” she said, pressing her lips against my forehead. “I’ll think about it. Happy?”

“Very.” I grinned, pulling her mouth down on mine. I had been wrong about Mel. The girl I knew two years ago would have hit the roof and likely taken Bessy’s bat to the other side of my head. This girl was understanding and afraid, vulnerable and so damn unsure about everything. But there was one thing she didn’t have two years ago, and that was me. She wasn’t just a distraction to pass the time. She was so much more than that. And she didn’t even know it.