Page 121 of Stroked Hard
“What is it?” Reese asks.
I explain to Reese and Paisley everything I know from the way Melony has felt her entire life, to the dinner we had in Rio and how my parents were so incredibly loving toward Holly and me and the way Melony kept shrinking further and further into herself. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know she was connecting her dad’s new family with my family, and how everyone is so loving toward each other, but howshenever got that from her dad.
Why didn’t he want to stay?
Shit, that little girl is wondering all over again why she wasn’t good enough.
“So what are you going to do?” Paisley asks. “Are you going to go after her?”
“Fuck yes, I am.” Energy is spiking through me now. It’s not that she doesn’t want to fall in love with me. I think she already has; she just doesn’t want to admit it because she doesn’t want to get hurt again. “This isn’t going to be a quick fix though. She needs to know that no matter what, I’m here to stay. Do you think you two could hold a party soon?”
“My birthday is coming up in two weeks. We can hold a little gathering.”
“That’ll be perfect. That gives me plenty of time to woo her from afar.” I take a bite of my ice cream, feeling energized. “Melony is fucking mine, whether she likes it or not.”
“You better buy me a good present.” Paisley smirks.
“If Melony lets me take her home that night, I will buy you whatever you want, sweetheart.”
“Don’t call her sweetheart,” Reese growls, getting territorial.
“Cool your dick, man. I’m after someone else.”
Do my girl justice, Hollis. Make her feel special again.
I will do right by Carla. I’m coming after you, Melony, whether you like it or not.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
MELONY
Life seems so black and white without Hollis in it. It’s been a week since I left Rio, and I don’t think I’ve ever been this unhappy. This is why I’ve always avoided getting involved with men, this feeling right here. This feeling of utter loss.
Yes, it was self-sabotage, I know that, but sooner or later Hollis was going to realize I wasn’t worth the time, and he was going to leave. Took my dad six years, but who knows how long it would take Hollis? He could have anyone. It was better to cut ties now rather than later down the road.
If only it didn’t hurt like this. If only it didn’t hurt worse than when my dad walked away. If only I could stop thinking about him.
It’s for the best I convince myself. If anything, it’s in Hollis’s best interest to stay as far away from me as possible. He deserves so much better.
“I’m not going to say it again, get my lawyer on the phone,” Bellini shouts to Pocket. “You godforsaken jean bag.”
Pocket scurries off, leaving me alone with Bellini. It wouldn’t be the first time I’m alone with her in a shitty mood. Something has been going on behind the scenes, but I have no clue what it is. I tried asking Paisley a while ago but she was unsure as well.
I kind of hope it’s something bad. I know that’s awful to say, but hell, the woman has been nothing but nasty to the people around her, and deserves a comeuppance. I know if something does happen to her, I will be out of a job, but with the references I have within the production company, I have no doubt I can be switched to another show. Maybe an actual sitcom or drama. God, that would be amazing. It would be so much better than doing hair and makeup for an individual who thinks they shit out gold-plated bars. At least that would hold me over until I launch my lip stain collection and become established.
“You smell,” Bellini says, looking up at me. Always the polite one. “What is that? Roses?”
“Gardenias,” I correct her.
“It’s physically choking me. You need to go take a shower and wash that flower piss off you.”
“I can do that,” I answer. “But that means you’re going to have to go without the other half of your makeup. I refuse to drive back home to take a shower for you and then drive back here.” The great thing about Paisley now being in charge of Bellini: I can say whatever the hell I want, and I know I won’t be fired.
Bellini grasps her throat and starts to cough. “You retched woman. You did this on purpose.”
If I’d known this perfume would cause Bellini to choke, I would have been wearing it every single day.
“Contrary to what you might believe, I have better things to do with my life than think of ways to displease you.” I’m really not taking any shit today. I’m not in the mood.
