Page 6 of Wilde Abandon
“I take it she hasn’t responded.”Dean shook his head, an I-told-you-so look on his face because Dean had said over and over again that Fox’s plan to be back in Melody’s life sucked.
Fox had been following Melody on social media for years, but he’d never contacted her.He didn’t know what to say.What happened between them needed to be cleared up face-to-face.He wanted a chance to say his piece, apologize, and beg her forgiveness without her shutting him down and blocking his ass.He spent far too many hours scrolling through her pictures and posts, learning everything he could about her life.
Stalker vibes—totally.
Which was why he did it using a fake name and profile.
That didn’t really help eliminate him being a stalker, but what was he supposed to do?Send her a text?Thanks for being the best thing to ever happen to me.Sorry I said I hate you and haven’t spoken to you in years.I missed you every single day, but I had to save my ass and stay away, because I was too afraid to run into my dad because I knew if he laid a hand on me again, I’d kill him.
Not exactly a Hallmark card for that kind of sentiment either.
When he got to town, he’d walked into the Dark Horse Dive Bar she owned and worked at, stood right next to her, and though she’d definitely checked him out, undressing him with her eyes, she hadn’t recognized him at all.It disappointed him.He didn’t blame her because after those few short seconds, she’d been pulled back into work.
Damn, but Melody had grown up into a beautiful woman.One every guy stared at and wanted.And he’d realized he didn’t want her to remember the boy.He wanted her to see the man.
One who was keeping secrets, even as he tried to connect with her by sending her all those private messages over the last couple of months.
It started so simply, with asking basic questions about everyday things they liked.Favorite food, color, movies, music, that sort of thing.And then they dove deeper.He scrolled back through the many messages on his phone.
@LOST_GEEK_FOUND: What are you passionate about?
@WILDE_BAR_GIRL: Family, friends, work.Being myself.Creating a fun environment for my customers to enjoy themselves, so they can let loose.Being creative with my jewelry designs.
@WILDE_BAR_GIRL: What about you?
@LOST_GEEK_FOUND: Coding.Solving problems for my clients.Being the best at something.Standing on my own.Being a good friend.Taking care of the people who always have my back.
@LOST_GEEK_FOUND: What do you want most out of life?
@WILDE_BAR_GIRL: Love.Laughter.To be surrounded by the people who matter most.To feel fulfilled and that I have purpose.
@LOST_GEEK_FOUND: Same.And to know that the people I care about are safe.
Because he hadn’t always felt that way growing up.Certainly not with his parents, and not always in foster care.
Things often got flirty, too.
@LOST_GEEK_FOUND: Best compliment you ever received after sex?
@WILDE_BAR_GIRL: Aside from—That was awesome!Your pussy wrecked me.
@LOST_GEEK_FOUND: Fuck that’s hot!
@LOST_GEEK_FOUND: Mine was—Your dick is magical.I saw stars.
@LOST_GEEK_FOUND: It is impressive.I can’t wait to show it to you.
@WILDE_BAR_GIRL: No dick pics.I want it live and in person.Which means you’ll have to come out to play.
That last one killed him, because he’d like nothing more.But he’d been playing a long game, giving them both time to get to know each other without the baggage of their past.
In those messages, they opened up to each other about so many things.They were honest with each other, even though he’d held back the one thing she really wanted to know.His true identity.
Not a great way to start.But now he knew that she was as amazing as she was when they were young.He hoped she could forgive him for…everything.
“You’re thinking about her again.”Dean smirked.“You get this dopey look on your face.For god’s sake, just go up to her, tell her who you are, apologize, and ask her out.If you don’t do it soon, I will.Because that girl is smokin’ hot.”
Fox glared at his best friend.“Not happening, asshole.Stay away from her.”