Page 35 of Melissa's Mates (Blissful Bets)

“I know. I’m just—” Melissa paused.

“Scared?” Ayden finished. “Yeah, this can be a scary process. I ran, too, Melissa. I know what you’re going through. But trust me, running doesn’t accomplish anything. The bond wouldn’t have mated you three if it wasn’t beyond a doubt positive that all of you were meant for each other. Take my advice. Stop hurting them and yourself. Go home, Melissa. Take your men and work things out. I promise you’ll never be happier. If I’m wrong, you have my permission to take a bat to me. I won’t even move.”

“That’s not funny.” Melissa tried not to smile, but his handsome face made it impossible.

“I’m not joking. I’m dead serious. You have nothing to worry about and neither will I. Go get your men and take them back to the island.” Ayden stepped forward, inhaled deeply, smiled, and took a step back. “Congratulations, and have a good day, Melissa.”

Confused, she unbuckled and hung out of the window after his retreating form. “Congratulations for what?”

“Bye, Melissa.”

He got in his car and took off. Shaking her head, she buckled back up and put the truck in drive. “Whatever. I don’t have time for riddles.” Turning up the radio, she battled the emotions his words stirred. If she got in the right lane, she could exit and go to the apartment. No. She looked back toward the busy traffic ahead of her.

“Don’t do it, Mel. Don’t do it. Fuck!” She barely made the exit, nearly taking out a small car in the process. “This won’t work. It won’t.” Even talking to herself, she wasn’t sure whether or not she believed it. Damn Ayden! She was doing so well at distancing herself. Shit, she’d ruined it now. She knew she needed to go and see them. Just knowing how bad her men could possibly be caused guilt to eat at her insides.

Turning into the complex, Connor’s truck and Channing’s Mercedes were both there. The beat of her heart shook her whole body. Melissa parked her truck and slowly walked to the door. Music poured from inside. The lyrics to the sad song made her stomach twist. This probably wasn’t such a good idea. Things had to be worse than she thought.

Raising her hand, she knocked as soft as she could. If they didn’t answer, she’d run like hell and pretend she was never here. Next time, she’d call. That’s what she should have done in the first place.

Channing opened the door, a look of shock quickly passing over his face. Dark circles were etched under his eyes. He looked like hell. Tears came at how bad off things truly were.

“Channing?”

Arms wrapped around her, pulling her close and tight against his body. His cheek was freezing cold pressed against hers. “Are you okay? Where’s Connor?”

“He’s in his bed. I don’t think he’s left it for days. Hell, I don’t know anything anymore. Just let me hold you.”

“Can you at least take me to the music so I can turn it off?”

“Connor doesn’t want it off. He’s not well. I’m not so sure you should be here until you make up your mind. I don’t think he can stomach you leaving again. Hell, I don’t think I can take seeing him go through that.”

Melissa wiggled from his arms and walked to the radio. Pushing the stop button, she crossed her arms over her chest, and faced the direction of his room.

“Channing! I said leave it on, damn it! We’ve been over this repeatedly.” Connor came barreling out of the room, nearly knocking the door off the hinges. He stopped motionless the moment he saw her. His heavy pants shook his upper chest. “Melissa? You came back?”

She held up her hand when he took a step in her direction. “Connor, what do you think you’re doing?”

“What do you mean?”

Melissa waved her arms around wildly. “This music and look at the trash. I’ve never seen so many to-go boxes in my life. And this. Soda cans. Everywhere.”

He looked down to the ground. “I don’t know. I…”

“I’ll tell you what you’re going to do.” He looked up at her. Melissa held in her smile. God, what was she doing? She didn’t have a clue, but she knew she couldn’t let this continue, and hell, she needed them as much as they needed her. She wasn’t going to mention that she noticed herself wearing two completely different color socks when she climbed into her truck.

Connor interrupted her thoughts. “Tell me what to do. Anything.”

“You’re going to clean up this mess. Then, you’re both going to pack and come home with me.”

Connor had her in his arms before she could blink. “Oh, thank God. Thank you, baby. I promise you won’t regret this. I love you.” Lips crushed into hers only to jerk back upon impact. His eyes stared up at her wildly. “Channing, take her.”

“What’s wrong?” Confused, Melissa looked back and forth between the men.

Channing’s arms were pulling her back before she could figure out what her other mate was upset about. Connor stepped forward, closing his eyes as he approached.

“Just smell her. I know I can probably detect better than you, but—” He again ran his fingers through his hair. “Just take in her scent.”

Channing’s face buried in her neck, and she pulled back. “Enough of this. What in the hell is going on?”

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