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He groans in frustration. Jens's hand comes up to his shoulder, startling him. How had he forgotten she was there? He is getting distracted.
This is not good.
He wasn't going to let Melody make this decision without him. He had the summer to convince her. He may have to use the only thing he really has going for him, their mutual physical attraction. And boy was he going to have fun taking advantage of it.
Melody
_________________________
The night was relatively peaceful. The strong buzz of the cicadas in the surrounding trees, the light breeze pulling and rustling the leaves. Peaceful, that is, unless you count Duke's pouting. He thought she would just give in. Probably because she always does. This time was different; if she was honest with herself, it was different because she now had a distraction. A gloriously physical distraction.
"You shouldn't have come all this way without talking to me first." Melody says in irritation, wanting nothing more than to go inside, take a shower, and lie down. This day has gone on long enough. The sting of Nash going straight to Jen after their bathroom encounter was still fresh. He was obviously a male very well acquainted with the female body. He was able to manipulate her flesh and build a climax with minimal effort, and although it shouldn't, she has no claim to him, but it pains her to know that Jen has probably been on the receiving end of that pleasure more than once.
"I just want us to be ok." Duke says, eyes on her lips, then moving along to rove her face. He looks so sincere. This is what gets her in trouble: his remorse.
"I need us to be ok." He pleads as he pulls her into an embrace.
It's familiar and safe.
She lays her head on his chest. Exhaling softly. Her head turned towards the street as she leaned on him for comfort. It is not beyond her that he caused the initial discomfort to begin with. She knows this is not the foundation of a healthy relationship.
"You hurt me. You keep hurting me, and I honestly don't know what I'm feeling right now." She mumbles into his shirt. His scent is familiar. His warmth is comforting even through everything.
She could see people approaching from the sidewalk before she could hear them. Pulling away from Duke, she turned to face them. From the look on Nash's face, he witnessed their embrace. Jen's hand rests on his shoulders, Nash's hands deep in his pockets. His face is a thunderstorm of emotion. With his eyebrows pulled together, his mouth set in a firm line as he takes them in.
"This guy again?" Duke mumbles loud enough for Nash to hear. Keeping one hand deep in his pocket, he throws a wicked grin and winks Melody’s way.
Oh God, are her panties in there? She can see the tiny peek of fabric as he gives them a final caress, removing his hand. He shrugs Jen off his shoulder.
"Sorry to interrupt, but Jen needs to get home. Mind moving your rental, Dan?"
"It's Duke. We are a little busy. Can you give us a moment?" Duke corrects.
"Lets go inside Nash, I have a surprise for you, but I can't show you unless we have privacy." Jen titters.
"No, you need to go now," Nash responds to her softly. "We talked about this already. I am interested in someone else." His words are meant for Jen, but his eyes are solely on Melody, leaving no room for ambiguity.
He stated his intentions right there in front of Duke and Jen.
Melody panics, looking around to see if anyone else noticed. Duke is fumbling with his keys, muttering and cursing under his breath. Jen is still pawing at Nash like he didn't just tell her he wasn't interested in buying what she was selling.
Did she make that entire exchange up? Nash is still staring down at her. A determined set to his jaw. No, she did not make it up. He was waiting for her to say something.
"I’m…" She pauses, biting her lip. "I'm going inside. Good night, everyone." She turns on her heel and walks inside.
Pulling the doors open, Melody heads straight into Marisol's room. She rifles through her overnight bag, looking for her pajamas. After getting them on in a nervous whirlwind, she hears footsteps outside her door. They stop for a few seconds, it's Nash. She can feel his heavy stare through the wood-paneled door. With heavy steps, he shuffles his way into his room. The jack-and-jill bathroom doors that connect his room to Marisol’s are open. She can hear soft clicks and clacks of drawers opening. Eventually, the movement quiets. She stills as if he could sense her if she moved even slightly. Her phone pings with a notification.
Nash: I can still feel you on my fingers, Melody.
Nash: Taste you on my tongue.
Her core clenched as if she was reliving those moments, too.
Melody: You can't say those things to me. I babysat you, Nash.
Melody: Or should I call you Graham?
Nash: Call me whatever you want.
