Page 107 of Stroked Hard
“Sorry, what babe?”
“My mom has a boyfriend.”
Pulling my attention away from my salad and focusing everything on Melony, I say, “How do you feel about that?”
Joking Hollis is long gone. It’s rare Melony actually talks to me about something serious so bringing up her mom raises my awareness that she might be in a weird place in her head.
“I don’t know,” she answers, looking at her lap. “I just get nervous for her. She hasn’t had the best of luck when it comes to men. She’s always being left behind. I don’t want to see that happen again.”
“I can understand that. Have you met this man?”
“Mehi? No. She’s mentioned having dinner with him but I can’t seem to force myself to find a date. I keep brushing her off. I just feel like she’s going to get hurt.”
“Why do you feel that way?”
“Because, that’s what always happens with relationships, people get hurt.”
I’m not going to lie; her lack of faith in relationships stings. Ever since I’ve met her, I’ve tried to instill the thought that not all men are bad. That there are good ones looking to stick around, looking to make a life with someone else; not all men share her shitty dad’s attitude.
I guess I just have to work harder. Maybe my dad can help me. I plan on introducing Melony to my family when she gets here, so maybe seeing my mom and dad together, in love, will help her see a true future for herself . . . and for her mom.
Taking a deep breath, I say, “Not all relationships end badly, baby. Is that what you think is going to happen with us?” I have to fucking know. I need to know if there is any doubt in her mind at all. Her body is my biggest advocate. Her mind is my worst enemy.Thathas become abundantly clear.
She looks away from the phone. “I can’t predict the future, Hollis.”
And that makes me mad. She’s already put an end to what we have without fully giving it a chance.
“Well, I fucking can, Melony,” I say sternly. “And it consists of you and me, living in a house on the beach happily ever fucking after.”
***
Hollis: Has Bellini been stealing you away from me? I haven’t heard from you all day.
Hollis: Are you up for a FaceTime? Text me when you get a chance.
Hollis: Babe, I found some ice cream. I’m forcing Reese to go with me to get some.
Hollis: Are you there? If you’re consumed with work, I get it. Just want to make sure you’re okay.
Hollis: I’m about to go to bed. Would love to hear your beautiful voice before I call it a night.
Hollis: Guess I’ll talk to you tomorrow.
***
“Melony, I don’t know what the hell is going on, but it would be nice to know from my girlfriend that you made it to Rio safely instead of finding out from my best friend.” I sigh into the phone, hating that I’m now forced, not by my own will, into sharing a relationship with my girlfriend’s voicemail rather than my actual girlfriend. Calming myself, I say, “Baby, I know this is scary, you and me, but you have to talk to me, trust me that I’m here for you, despite our distance. Please just call me, put my heart at ease, and let me know you’re at least okay.”
Staring down at my phone, I hang up and toss the piece of shit at my pillow. “Fuck,” I mumble, grabbing my hair.
Radio silence from Melony for the past few days and I have no idea why. This was exactly what I feared would happen when we had to put some distance between us because of the games. I have no ability to pick up and just leave because I want to tend to my girl. Not only would I let my country down by leaving, but I would let my family, Holly, and Coach Wilson down.
Fucking great.
I’m stuck in this limbo of not being able to control anything besides my diving and that’s driving me fucking insane.
Diving is for now. Melony is forever. That has helped me understand Holly better too. She has her future in her sights, not just the now. And I do too. And it includes Melony.
Frustrated as fuck, I open my computer and connect to my Netflix account. I’m supposed to be socializing with the other athletes at the pool, but there is no way in hell I’m doing that now. Not when I’m in such a pissy mood.
