Page 298 of The Omega Exchange: Omnibus
“Why are you here with my daughter?” she asks in afuck you very muchkind of tone.
“I told you that I’ve got a pack courting me. You said you weren’t doing well and you might need to rent out my apartment for extra income,” Melody says. She never mentioned that. Not to me anyway. “I’m here to pack up my stuff.”
Oliver and Nik seem to be ping-ponging their gazes between the two women.
“You know that isn’t what I wanted,” Marie says, giving her a look I can’t quite figure out. I feel a little like I’m trying to decipher some kind of code, like neither are speaking as plainly as they would be if we weren’t here. “I need you home.”
“Mom, I’m paying rent for you to store my stuff, but I think we both know how spiteful you can be.” Mel leans further into Miller’s chest. “I wasn’t going to risk losing my things when you have an off day.”
“I don’t like your tone,” Marie says, planting her hands on her hips.
It’s a real struggle to hold back from saying something to the effect of I don’t like your entire fucking vibe.
The loud rattling sound of a truck exhaust approaches.
“No way,” Mel whispers, her hands flying to her face, and Miller turns her further into him. “Okay, so this is happening now. God, I bet one of the neighbors called him.”
Nik and Oliver stop standing dumbfounded and approach. It’s going to be the ex. I know it before he climbs out of the lifted truck. Haven’t we moved past the days of gas guzzling vehicles with no purpose? The thing is immaculate, meaning there’s no way that monstrosity is used for any type of work on a ranch.
I guess maybe I’m being a judgmental dick, but I also don’t really give a fuck. I don’t like him, I know he’s not going to like me. If he even remembers me. Granted I wasn’t fucking Mel yet, but I was definitely daydreaming about it.
He’s a big guy; not quite Miller’s size, but he’s a problem in the making if he wants to show his ass. He’s got a backward baseball cap on and worn cowboy boots.
“Hey Ben,” Mel says, giving an awkward wave of her hand.
“What the hell is this?” Cow-bro asks, crossing his arms over his chest. “You said you’d be in town, but you never mentioned having an entourage.”
“Maxim Miller.” Miller tries again, extending a hand.
Ben scoffs. “Right. What the fuck is going on, Melody?”
Miller looks at me, gesturing between the two of them. I give a clipped nod. I’m not leaving Mel’s side. If the asshole doesn’t like it? Well, I’m just providing security for my bosses. They’re bonded, so they automatically come off as more of a threat, or that’s what we figured when we discussed it extensively.
“We’re going to grab the boxes from the back of the SUV and start packing,” Miller says, kissing her temple.
“Everything on the bookshelves is my part of the list,” Oliver says, grinning. “I’m going to figure out your pen name even if it isslightlyunderhanded.”
“This is the key,” Mel says, grabbing it from her pocket and handing it to Nik.
“You know where we’ll be,” Nik says, winking at Mel.
“Can I talk to you?” Mel glances around. “I guess over by your truck?”
“What is this about?” Marie asks, planting her hands on her hips.
“It’s okay, Marie,” Ben says. “Could you give us a minute?”
Melody’s mom grumbles under her breath, but she turns toward the house, heading inside.
“What’s up?” Ben asks, shoving his hands into his front pockets.
Melody freezes. Her chest rises and falls, but she looks like she might hurl or keel over. It’s hard as fuck not to walk over andpull her into my arms. She glances at the SUV and heads over without a word.
I smirk at the asshole.
Ben glares right back.
I shrug and aim for Mel.
