Page 81 of Overkill

He did it so masterfully. And it was so cruel of him.

“Tell Turner Gray whatever you want. But stay away from me and stay away from my family.”

“Melody, please, let me explain.” He was such a good actor.

Fucking Oscar-worthy.

His pretense made everything so much worse. I wanted to scream, cry, and die all at the same time. But I couldn’t. I wouldn’t.

I stepped away from him. One foot in front of the other.

“Melody.” He rose to his feet, his hands reaching out for me. To hold me.

I knew that if he held me, I would believe him. I was stupid like that. Stupid enough to fall back into his arms and forgive him; I’d force myself to see things his way, because I was weak, lonely, and pathetic. It was why I’d forgiven Luke over and over again. Why I’d forced myself to let that monster back every time. Why I’d accepted what he’d done.

Because I was just that isolated, alone, and desperate.

“Melody…” His shoulders hunched in an impressive display of remorse. His hands were out, palms up, as he pleaded. “Please, give me a chance to explain. Let me…”

He kept talking. And talking. And talking.

It was too much.

The storm, the cold, his friends, the Grays, his lies…they were burying me alive.

“Tea.”

Chapter 27

Friends

Vedder

I couldn’t move as she retreated one step after another. Then she turned and walked away, her body disappearing into the dark.

“Melody…” I whispered. “At least take the SUV home. Here.”

I fished for the keys, but she didn’t hear me. Or she chose not to hear me. She walked and walked, and I couldn’t even make myself run to her.

Lightning and the headlights of other cars both lit the way of Melody leaving me behind.

“Fuck.” Daria was at my side, though I didn’t hear her heels.

In the back of my mind, through the pain, I wondered how she walked in those damn things. Her feet had to be soaked.

I couldn’t even remember what kind of shoes she was wearing! I just knew that anything would be inadequate for the god damn downpour.

“Dar, please…give her a ride home. Please. I don’t want her out in this.” The words tore at my already broken heart, the pain the only thing keeping me from raging and vomiting at the same time. “Please.”

I pointed to where Melody had disappeared down the road.

“It’s fucking pouring. Please.” I pleaded like a child on the verge of a tantrum. “She won’t get in the car with me, please get to her. Please!”

I didn’t want her to get sick. I didn’t want her to walk home alone. I didn’t want her to feel alone, especially on my account.

“Alright, alright!” Daria went to her red sports car, her keys lighting it up as it unlocked.

Once she drove away, I began to pace. My boots were waterproof, but in this much water, it didn’t matter. I was soaked to the bone.