“That’s good. I talked to Greg yesterday, and he said he saw Jace at the gym.” Before I can ask any questions, she continues. “I guess he asked Greg where you are, and when Greg wouldn’t tell him, not that he could, Jace threatened him.”
“Dammit, Mel, why didn’t you lead with this info?” I snap.
“Because you actually sounded happy when you answered,” she counters. “I… I didn’t want to ruin the mood.”
Sighing, I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “Yeah, okay. I get it. So, um, what happened when Jace threatened Greg?” I ask, my heart aching for my friend.
She chuckles. “That’s the best part. Turns out, an off-duty cop was at the gym and overheard the threat. He escorted Jace to his car, and the gym trespassed him from the property.”
“Oh, that’s hilarious.”
“Even better is that Greg said a few of Jace’s buddies were there, too, so I’m sure he was humiliated.”
“God, I wish I could’ve been a fly on the wall.”
“Me, too.” A beep sounds in the background, and she says, “Oh, hey. That’s my door buzzer. Gotta go.”
“Okay. Thanks for calling.”
“Talk soon?”
“Absolutely.”
I disconnect the call and lean against my headboard. When Melody called, I’d been about to head out to the main area ofthe clubhouse for a drink, but I need a few minutes to myself to process what she told me.
When she asked me if I’d heard from Jace, I’d told the truth. But what I didn’t do was remind her that I bought a new phone and got a new number. I didn’t expect to hear from him. At least not yet.
I know exactly why that makes me happy, but I wasn’t expecting to feel even an ounce of sadness.
Hewasyour fiancé.
Upcoming nuptials or not, the man beat me. Maybe not throughout our entire relationship, but once is enough.
Right?
Right. If I’m being honest with myself, I should’ve left a lot earlier than I did. Pride and stubbornness are two qualities that have always gotten the best of me.
As for Jace asking Greg where I am… Well, that’s exactly why my friends don’t know.
But they know about Marble Falls and Shuffle.
Be that as it may, they don’t know that this is specifically where I landed.
A knock on my door pulls me from my thoughts, and I stiffen at the sound. Forcing myself to relax, I get to my feet.
“Who is it?”
“Open up, Rox,” a feminine voice calls.Rae.“You’ve been cooped up in here all week, and I’m here to see that that changes.”
I open my door, and Rae sways on her feet. “Did Shuffle put you up to this?”
She snorts, then burps, which tells me she’s drunk. “I don’t answer to your brother. Saint’s the only man who gets to order me around.” She leans in close, cupping her hands over her mouth. “And between you and me, I like it when he gets all bossy.”
I grin. “I’m sure you do.”
Rae and Saint weren’t hitched when I left, but they’ve been together for as long as I can remember. Rae and I were close growing up, but when I left Marble Falls, the friendship fizzled.
She grabs my arm and drags me into the hall. “C’mon. I’ve missed you, and I’m done waiting for you to crawl out of your hole.”
