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Melissa doesn’t feel what I feel any more than she did in high school.This crush, this longing, is mine and mine alone.
Chest tight, I nod.“Got it.Message received.Sorry I ruined your morning with my needy bullshit.”
She sighs.“Don’t be like that.”
“Like what?Human?”I drag a hand through my hair.“Shit, Melissa.The way you kissed me last night, the way things were between us… You can’t blame me for being confused.There was something there.I know I’m not the only one who felt it.”
Anger tightens her features again.“Are we at the part where you call me a bitch for failing to fall head over heels for you?I liked your dick, yes.But that’s all it was, Aaron.I told you before I kissed you not to make a big deal out of it.It’s not my fault you decided to believe what you wanted to believe instead of listening to the words coming directly from my mouth.”
“Fine,” I grit out, starting toward the door.
“When people tell you who they are, you should believe them,” she calls after me, trailing me down the hall toward the garage.
“And I toldyouI was fine,” I snap, grabbing my bag and stuffing my feet into my unlaced boots.
“Yeah, you sound fine.”The hint of smugness in her voice makes me do something that I immediately regret.
“Fuck off, Melissa.”I snap the words on instinct, an act of self-preservation, but immediately wish I could shove them back down my throat.
Her jaw clenches as she smiles.“There he is.There’s the jerk I’ve known and willnevertrust.Figured he’d show his face sooner or later.”
“Lock the door behind me and seriously consider calling the police about last night,” I say, knowing there’s no way to make this better right now.I let my temper get the best of me and gave Mel the excuse she needed to finish pushing me away.“If something happens to you because you’re keeping quiet for Matty, he’ll never forgive himself.”
“Thanks, but I can handle myself.And my brother.”She hits the button to open the garage door as I head down the steps.
I open the back door, tossing my bag onto the seat and slamming it again.I’m about to wish Melissa well and climb into the driver’s seat, when a tiny, golden-brown squirrel suddenly lands on the truck’s hood.I have no idea where it came from, but thanks to the rental’s giant tires, the creature is roughly level with my head.
So, when he emits a husky screech and leaps my way, he lands directly on my face.I stumble backward, arms flailing as the creature clings to my hair with its front claws and wiggles around on my chin.
“Slap it off!”Melissa cries from the stairs.
I pull in a breath, about to shout back that I can’t hit an animal.But then I feel fur pumping against my lips.The sensation is so disturbing, all that escapes my mouth is a repulsed grunting sound.
The grunting seems to get the squirrel even more worked up.Its back claws now latch onto the sides of my jaw as it assaults me more aggressively.
That’s what this is—an assault.Asexualassault by a rodent with perverted intentions.I make another horrified gargling sound before pulling myself together enough to grab the squirrel by the scruff.
I expect the detachment to go badly—complete with claw marks and perhaps buck teeth imbedded in my nose—but as soon as I tug on its fur, the beast releases me with a happy chirping sound.
I curse and toss it to the garage floor, where it lands with a light bounce before turning to glance at me over its shoulder.It chirps again, a huskier sound this time, before weaving its way toward the open garage door.
“What the hell was…” My words trail off as I turn to see Melissa filming me with her cell.Heat flares in my chest.“Really?I was being attacked by a potentially rabid animal and your call was to film it?”
She smiles, still filming as she says, “I don’t think it was an attack.I think he was trying to make love to your chin dimple.I’ve never seen an animal hump with so much urgency.How does it feel to be a sexy hockey bro who is irresistible to women, men, and the rodent population, Mr.Boudreaux?”
“Turn it off,” I say curtly, propping my hands on my hips and casting my burning gaze down to the floor.I glance under my arm while I’m at it, just to make sure the squirrel hasn’t decided to come back for more.But thankfully, he’s nowhere to be seen.
“Oh, come on, where’s your sense of humor?You’re not bleeding.I say all’s well that ends well.”
I look back up, hurt in my voice as I say, “I don’t call this ending well, but…whatever.Good luck, Melissa.I hope things get easier for you.When you’re not being an asshole, you’re a good person who deserves happiness.”
She shuts off the cell phone.The smile falls from her face, but she doesn’t say a word as I get into my truck and drive away.
I guess she said all she wanted to say.
My mood as foul as the weather outside, I make my way to Gram’s house and do my best to forget about my steamy night with my teenage crush.
Until my life takes an unexpected turn and suddenly Melissa McGuire is back on my radar in a major way.
