Marvis POV
I thought it was over.
A quick visit. A short laugh. Then he'd disappear.
But Drex didn't leave.
He started showing up more. First at the café. Then outside Melody's car. Then boldly at her law school's steps.
Always smiling. Always acting like he belonged.
Melody didn't push him away.
She didn't lean on him either, not in the way she leaned on me. But she let him stay. Let him talk to her. Walk her to her car. Sometimes, he even had the nerve to open her door like he was her damn shadow.
And me? I watched.
From a distance. From the darkened window of my car. From the top floor of a nearby building.
I watched, and I boiled. I hated him.
I hated the way he laughed too loud, stood too close, smiled like he had history.
I hated the way Melody let him.
And I hated myself for caring this much.
One night, I couldn't take it anymore. I texted her.
Marvis: Where are you?
She replied five minutes later.
Melody: Out.
Out.
That's all she said. No location. No time. No explanation.
The next morning, she didn't show up for breakfast.
The next evening, she didn't return my call.
The next night, I saw them again. Drex had her by the hand, leading her through a bookstore. Laughing. Holding a coffee. Whispering something close to her ear.
I wasn't proud of what I did next.
I followed them inside.
Melody didn't notice me at first. Drex did. His smile faltered.
I walked up slowly, controlled. I stopped just a few feet away.
"Funny running into you again," I said, voice flat.
Melody turned. Her eyes widened. "What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same."
She stepped forward. "It's just a bookshop."
"With him?"
"Marvis," she warned. "Don't start."
Drex folded his arms. "Relax, man. We're not doing anything illegal."
I ignored him. "Can we talk, Melody? Alone."
She looked between us. Then sighed. "Fine."
We stepped outside.
The air was cold. Her expression colder.
"What's going on?" she asked.
"I don't like him."
"You don't know him."
"I don't need to. I know what he wants."
She narrowed her eyes. "And what exactly is that?"
"You."
Silence.
Then she laughed. Quiet, bitter. "You're jealous."
"Yeah," I said honestly. "I am."
"You don't get to be. Not after acting like I'm just another name in your phone."
I took a step closer. "You're not."
She looked up at me, eyes flashing. "Then stop acting like you don't care. Or I'll start believing it."
And with that, she turned and walked back inside.
Leaving me on the sidewalk.
Alone. Burning. Wanting.
And now knowing exactly what I stood to lose.