Silence falls between us, and after a few awkward minutes, Mel breaks the silence. “Okay, clearly we’re both shit with words, so let’s just get this over with, yeah?”
“I’m sorry.” We both blurt in unison as our brows furrow in confusion.
“What do you have to be sorry for?” Melanie asks, looking at me like I’ve grown a second head. “I’m the one that let that asshole in.”
“No.” I say, shaking my head. “He tricked us both. I’m the one that should be apologizing. This would’ve never happened if I didn’t come to you for help.”
“I’m glad you did.” She says, shaking her head. “It made me realize that I never gave you a fair chance. You're surprisingly cool for a fiancee stealer.”
I laugh. “Fake fiancee stealer.” I tease.
“Same difference.”
“So, how are you feeling?” I ask.
“Honestly, a lot better. Especially now that I know you’re okay. Stevie, I want you to know that I tried to get my dad to tell The Reapers what happened. I knew Dimitri took you and I was so fucking worried. But he sequestered me here and wouldn’t let me talk to anyone. The only person I’ve seen beside him and my brothers is Charles.”
“It’s fine.” I say, shaking my head. “He was just trying to keep you safe.”
“It’s not fine.” She bites out, suddenly getting her full gusto back. “Sorry,” she adds, shaking her head, “over the years I’ve made a lot of excuses for my father and turned a blind eye to some of the awful things he’s done because he’s family. But he crossed a line. You were with Dimitri for days. I can’t even begin to imagine what kind of awful things he put you through.”
I look away, unable to hide the raw emotions threatening to surface. I pushed my time with Dimitri so far back into the recesses of my mind, I never want to think of them again.
“It doesn’t matter.” I say, shaking my head. “I’m safe now and so are you. That’s all that matters.”
“You’re right.” She says. “I have a lot of things to make amends for, but I’m thrilled that things between you and me are good.”
“Me too, Mel.”
“Hey stranger.” Melanie says, directing a smile towards someone standing behind me. I turn to follow her gaze and spot Atlas leaning against the doorway. He and her have a history I don't think I’ll ever quite understand, but the jealousy that I used to feel towards her isn’t there anymore and that’s a start.
“You’re alive.” He notes, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Surprisingly.” She jokes, shaking her head. “I saw your girl here put up quite the fight before I passed out. I’m sure if she didn’t, Dimitri would’ve tried to finish what he started. She saved my ass.”
“Hey.” I hear another voice say, as someone else walks up behind Atlas. “She wasn’t the only one who helped save your ass.”
I burst out of my seat and rush towards Charles, pulling him into a tight hug.
“Should I be jealous?” Atlas asks, directing the question at Melanie as the two of them watch me nearly tackle him to the ground.
“Maybe?” She teases. “I mean, he did save us, and you know how us girls love our knights in shining armor.”
“Hey.” I say, smiling at her. “I’d be hugging you like this too if you weren’t stuck in a hospital bed.”
I release Charles and see that he didn’t come empty handed. He sets the greasy paper bag of food down on her bed tray and Melanie’s eyes light up.
“Don’t say shit.” She growls, practically ripping open the bag. “I almost died. I can eat as many fucking cheeseburgers as I want.”
I like this new Mel, and I can almost guarantee that Charles has everything to do with it.
As Melanie digs into her burgers and falls into a meaty cheesy bliss, Atlas and I turn to leave. It was good to see her, but we still have some important things to take care of. Namely, the bastard that we’re all ready to kill.
“Hey Stevie,” Melanie calls out, catching Atlas and I just as we are about to walk out the door. “When you find that motherfucker, make him suffer for me, will you?”
I flash her a devious smile as I give her a firm nod.
He’s going to pay for everything he did to us.
I guarantee it.