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“Yesterday,” he said before moving me back from the stove. “Go. I’ll take care of everything here.”
I bit my lips, smiling as I watched him flipping the pancakes.
“Mmm! Banana pancakes, my favorite,” he teased, and I burst out laughing before trotting upstairs.
I climbed a few stairs when a doorbell rang out through the foyer. I turned around, hesitating whether I should answer the door or hide upstairs. My heart started pumping heavily, and adrenaline rushed through my veins. I had a hunch it was my father. I was scared that he had found me.
“I’ll handle it.” Shane emerged from behind the wall dividing the foyer and the living room. His voice was cold and firm, and I knew something was off. “Go upstairs,” he added, but I couldn’t move. I stood still like a statue, rooted to the spot, with my heart beating crazily.
“I’m here for Melanie,” I heard Theo’s raging voice, and my blood ran cold.
How did he find me here?
“She doesn’t want to see you,” Shane replied with an icy tone. Although he was facing Theo, standing with his back to me, I could imagine his stone-cold gaze.
“Give me back my fiancée!” Theo hissed through clenched teeth, seething, but Shane seemed utterly unfazed.
“She’s not your fiancée,” he said callously, yet with a touch of sarcasm. “Besides, she’s not an object that I can take or give back to you. She’s a lady that can do whatever she pleases.”
“Very funny, Vergoossen,” Theo sneered. “I knew you seemed familiar when I saw you at my engagement party.”
“The pleasure is all mine, Ledford.” Shane’s deep voice rumbled in my ears. I was impressed how he kept his cool while Theo looked like he was just a step away from exploding.
“Listen, dude. I am not scared of you,” he hissed, clenching his jaw. “The fact that you are a Vergoossen doesn’t mean a damn thing to me.”
Shane scoffed. “I’m glad you don’t see me through the prism of my name. Yet, I’d advise you to be careful with me.” He moved closer to my ex and leaned to whisper something into his ear. I didn’t catch what he said, but Theo’s face went pale. I wasn’t sure if it was because he spotted me, watching them half-naked in Shane’s house, or because of what Shane told him.
“Melanie?” Theo said, jaw dropped, looking at me. “Did you sleep with him?”
I hadn’t gotten the chance to speak when the sound of police sirens echoed through the hallway.
“We have company,” Shane stated, his gaze fixed on something outside. I didn’t see what or who he was looking at, but I felt it in my bones that whatever that was, spelled trouble. “Melanie, take Theo to the living room.” Shane turned to face me, and I didn’t even question him. I just nodded and followed his order, my heart pumping heavily and a huge lump forming in my throat.
I climbed down the stairs, grabbed Theo by his arm, and led him toward the living room, confusion written all over his face. Shane stepped outside, closing the door behind him.
~••~
Theo wandered around the room, rubbing his temples, his breath ragged before snapping at me, “What the hell, Melanie?” His eyes turned black with rage, and his voice sent dire chills down my body as he shouted, “Did he fuck you?!”
I didn’t respond. I stared at him blankly, wondering how a single gaze, mere touch, or a faint scent of Shane Vergoossen had ignited a flame within me while months with Theo would make me feel nothing. I stared at the man I thought I loved, not recognizing him anymore.
“You’re such a hypocrite!” he scoffed, shaking his head. “You’ve accused me of cheating while you’re the one fucking another dude behind my back! And you played innocent.”
“Don’t you dare, Theo!” Something in me broke, unleashing all the resentment I’d been caging within me. “I won’t take all the blame! You slept with my friend! You fucking broke my heart!”
“Broke your heart?” he mocked. “That’s why you jumped into another man’s bed during our fucking engagement party?! You’re such a—”
“I wouldn’t finish that sentence,” Shane’s deep voice rumbled from behind.
I turned to see Shane gazing sinisterly at Theo, and my father clenching his jaw as his eyes met mine.
