The end of July is here, and as we're approaching August, everyone is getting ready to return to school…except for me. I have this sense of calm about not going back to California. I stare at the rising sun and realize, I'm happy.
Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve had time to think about everything and come to some conclusions. I thought I needed Cayden, that I loved her, but I was wrong. She was familiar, someone I was used to, but I've realized that it wasn’t actually her that I desired. It’s the peace and comfort of home that I so desperately craved and missed. And I have it now.
Pausing in my shoveling of the dirty hay from the barn into the back of my truck, I wipe the beads of sweat from my forehead and face. The sun is only just now rising, but I've been working for the last three hours.
It's hot as hell during Georgia summers, even during the early morning hours. I did away with my T-shirt an hour ago, but it did nothing to cool me off.
"Hey!" Melanie's voice rings through my thoughts.
Spinning around, I lean against the shovel with one arm, and a huge grin on my face. "Hey, yourself. What're you doin' here?"
"I came to see you." She steps closer to me.
My brows furrow. "Where's Jacob?"
"I called Cayden. She's at my house watching him."
“Kind of early, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, well…I was awake and Cayden offered to come by early this morning when I talked to her last night.” She appears nervous for some reason. "She asked about you."
My grin falls. "Did she?" I haven't spoken to or seen any of them since the day Cayden made her choice. I think we both needed space. I miss her, but only as a friend.
Her gaze drifts around the barn. "Yeah, she'd like to see you before she leaves for Athens in a couple weeks."
"Okay, I'll stop by when I get some free time."
Her eyes finally land on me. "Can we talk about the kiss the other night?"
Fuck! I was hoping she wouldn't bring it up. Since watching Jacob over the last few weeks, I've spent more time with Melanie, and I made a move. She shot me down. "Let's just forget about it." I try to downplay and brush off the rejection I feel. Being rejected twice in a month isn’t fun and can bruise a man’s ego.
She sighs heavily. "I don't want to forget about it. I also don't want to be a rebound for you. I really like you, Brody, but I want to know that I'm not setting myself up for heartbreak like I did with Jimmy Ray."
Although it’s never been revealed, Jimmy Ray is Jacob's father. He was the star quarterback for our high school team, and Melanie was the quiet bookworm that fell right in his web. Their relationship was kept a secret, and when she got pregnant, he denied everything. He was out of Senoia and onto college without ever a second thought. Melanie only recently told me the truth about them.
"You can't be a rebound when I never had her in the first place, Mel. And I would never do what he did to you."
She drops her eyes and nods. "I know. It just scares me."
"Hey," I whisper and let go of the shovel. Stepping closer, I rest one hand on her hip and use the other to lift her chin, our gazes locking. "I really like you too." My lips press against hers.
Melanie’s arms snake around my waist, and I pull her closer into my body, seeking entrance into her mouth. Once her lips part, I push my tongue inside, tasting her minty flavor. Her hands roam up my back and then across to my chest. The bulge in my jeans is growing harder by the second, and Melanie isn’t stopping. Taking the lead, I back her away from the dirty hay until we reach the new clean straw inside one of the stalls. Our bodies begin to lower until I’m hovering over her.
She pushes against my chest. “It’s been a long time, Brody.”
I grin down at her. “Let me show you what you’ve been missing.” I slam my lips to hers.