Page 76 of Overkill

“That’s the man I’m with right now.” She put her head on my shoulder as if to emphasize her point.

Despite her confession, and despite her masterful handling of Kai Griffith, my stomach was still in knots. A ringing started in my ears, and even as I held Melody against me—even as she squeezed my hand and thigh—I was still fading out.

The conversation continued without me, and the ringing wouldn’t quit. A high-pitched noise that kept growing louder and louder.

Griff was right.

Griff.

Was.

Right.

I wasn’t a man she’d want. No matter how much I changed, I couldn’t undo the past. History like that didn’t go away. It stayed there, dormant and ready to bite me in the ass. How long until I destroyed her life the way I’d destroyed my own?

How long before she realized that she did, in fact, hate me? She’d talk to my friends, and then she’d get a clearer picture of who I was, and why they hated me, and then it would be over. I’d lose her. I wouldn’t get to build her a white picket fence, or repairing her house, or helping Marcus with his college applications, or…God willing…kids. Both the goat kind and the human kind.

Melody looked like the type of girl who’d like a few little mischievous goats.

I knew how to take care of goats. Cows, too. Chickens are good for eggs, but she’d probably prefer ducks.

But what was the point of thinking about any of that if she was just going to dump me, anyway?

“Greg’s been perfect. I’ve never…I’ve never had anyone take care of me and help me as much as him. I feel quite spoiled by him.” Melody was still talking to Taz and Daria, and the two of them let out a collective “Aww.”

And I was going crazy.

“Sweetheart, I’m gonna step outside.” I kissed the top of her head and started to scoot out.

“Are you okay?” she whispered back.

“I’m fine. Just gotta calm myself a bit. I’ll be back quick.”

She cupped my face in her hand and gave me a reassuring smile, her eyes telling me to come back soon. Was…was she worried about being alone with my friends?

“You okay here?” I glanced at the two women leaning in, ready to pounce for details about our love affair as soon as I stepped out.

“I’m good,” she said with a laugh. “Everything’s fine.”

And she didn’t just mean the dinner or the table.

I kissed her temple again; I wanted to believe her, but the uncertainty twisting in my gut was too much to ignore. I walked out of the back porch of The Bar and into the rain, standing under the small overhang to breathe as I watched the downpour and the light show from the rolling thunder in the distance.

It was fine.

I’d been honest. I told her everything. She wouldn’t be surprised, and she was a smart, capable woman who meant what she said. She wouldn’t change her mind on a dime.

It was fine. We were fine. Everything was fine.

I clenched and unclenched my fists, trying to clear my mind. Trying to just listen to the sound of water.

“What the hell are you doing?”

And the moment was over.

Mr. Punchable-Face Turner Gray slid out from the door beside me, his finger pointing and jabbing into my chest.

I was damn surprised Braun ever took him as a client.