Page 297 of The Omega Exchange: Omnibus
Melody talked to her mother briefly again this morning. I’m not exactly sure what the problem is because Mel has been pretty tight lipped about it.
I get the feeling she thinks she might be right about there not being anything wrong with her mom.
Oliver immediately starts looking into home health care nurses that he can hire, so maybe I’m totally off-base.
We’re all in agreement that we aren’t sticking around Texas, but if Melody’s mom needs some extra care, we won’t leave herstranded. It’s just important that we do what we can to lessen the stress on Mel and the baby.
We need to pack up Mel’s apartment, inform that fuck wad of her pregnancy, and get back to Virginia.
Those are my priorities anyway.
Oliver found an ultrasound place in a town an hour away. Melody is willing to go have that done with the asshole, in case he’s interested, but I’m not holding my breath.
Okay, fine. I’ve said multiple prayers that he very politely and without insulting Mel chooses to bow out.
I don’t care if it’s fucked up.
I’m a human being and I’ve got feelings too dammit. I’m the one on the shakiest ground now. All of those assholes have a permanent bond with Mel.
All I can give her is a ring, which I did help pick out. We figured that might be best saved for once we get home.
Nik is having one of the rooms converted into a nursery while we’re away. It’s being painted and recarpeted from what he said.
Miller pulls up to a small yellow house with white trim. It’s an older style that shows its age without feeling dilapidated.
“You can park anywhere.” Mel points to a small, detached garage. “That’s my apartment.”
I’m in the far back row behind her and Oliver. Nik and Miller are upfront. We eventually pull to a stop on a gravel driveway. Miller keeps us close to the garage.
“I’d like to hold your hand if that’s okay,” Oliver says as we’re preparing to climb out of the SUV.
“Yeah,” Mel says, giving him a tight smile. “Please do.”
I’m again hit with a staggering pulse of jealousy. It’s frustrating as hell that they have a direct line to her emotions when I don’t have that same luxury.
We all climb out of the vehicle, and Mel approaches the side of the house.
There’s a slender blonde woman with her hair in a ponytail. She’s kneeling on one of those foam pads that people use for gardening.
The weather here sure is different from Virginia. Melody wasn’t joking about that.
The woman that I’m sure is her mother is pruning some type of flower. Which means she’s definitely not doing that poorly; not as bad as she made it seem anyway.
That’s some bullshit if I’ve ever seen it. Not that I wish the woman illness or injury, but we just flew across the damn country with Melody actually sick as fuck and worried about her mom.
I’m getting real heated the more I think about it.
“Mom?” Melody says, getting a look at the same thing I am. She actually stumbles back into Oliver’s chest.
That woman sure as hell didn’t take a serious fall a few days ago, and she looks as healthy as any other forty or fifty something person.
“Melody?” Marie Webber turns, pushing to her feet and dusting her hands off on her jeans. “I didn’t know you were on your way.”
“Everything you said was a lie,” Melody says like she’s talking herself into believing it. “It’s so messed up that I thought it was a possibility, but even then, I couldn’t risk being wrong.”
“We need you back home. Who are these men?” Marie asks, frowning as she approaches.
“Maxim Miller,” he says, holding out a hand. Melody’s mom stares but makes no move to shake. He finally pulls his hand down. Moving to Melody’s side, he wraps it around her lower back. “That’s Oliver, Nik, and Carver.”
