Page 91 of Mine to Ruin

“You’re drunk.”

“I wanted to forget about you.” She snorts and adds, “It didn’t help.”

I rake a hand through my hair. “I thought we had an agreement.”

“I thought we were a sure thing,” she retorts. “You’ll get bored with her.”

“Not possible,” I say with absolute certainty.

“Or she’ll leave you. It would serve you right. I might even take you back.”

My hands curl and uncurl. At the thought of Ellia leaving me, my muscles tense up.

“She can never be woman enough to keep your demons at bay. Not like I did.”

“She already is.”

Melanie’s shoulders sag. I should have never let her convince me to start fucking around with her. Here she is, drunk and I am about to lose my right hand person. Fuck, I don’t even know what bothers me more.

“You love her?” she asks, holding her breath.

“I do.”

She pushes herself up, wobbling on her feet, and she points her finger in my face. “No, you can’t. I waited years to hear you say you love me, and that bitch comes out of nowhere and now you love her?”

She may be drunk, but I’ll be damned if I allow her to disrespect Ellia.

“Don’t talk about her like that, Melanie.”

“Get out!” she screams.

I fill a cup of water and place it on the table in front of her. “I expect this to be the last time I see you like this.”

“Oh, don’t worry, I’ll never mix business with pleasure again.”

“Then we’re good.”

“But you made me a promise and I will collect.” The ruthless woman I know seeps through the mess she drank herself into. Her lips curve into a victorious smile. I remember the promise I made long ago when we embarked on this journey.

“You can ask whatever you want, it’s yours, but I never was and never will be.”

I dial Ellia’s phone once I’m back in my car, but it rings and rings, and then sends me to voicemail.

Fucking great!

Chapter 27

Ellia

On my way to Tara, I think of what could have been that important to make him rush to her. When Tara opens the door, she takes one look at me, before taking me into her arms. We go inside and she offers me a cold tea. I take a sip while she waits for me to tell her what happened

“She was a part of his life when you decided to be with him,” she says once I’m done.

“Aren’t you supposed to be on my side?” I ask, my feelings a bit hurt.

“Call Aubrey for that.”

She’s right and I sink back.

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