“All right,” I said. “If it’ll make you feel better. I understand.” And I did. Bryce was a good man. He didn’t want to owe me or anyone else.
He followed me to my office, where I wrote him a check for five thousand dollars. I handed it to him. “That should get you started.”
“That’s more than I asked for. Thanks, Joe. I owe you one.”
“You don’t owe me anything.”
That was the truth. Because eventually, my best friend was going to hate me, when I told him the truth about his father.
* * *
Melanie was still awake when I checked on her. She sat up in bed when I entered.
“I’m sorry, baby. Did I wake you?”
“No. I haven’t been sleeping. I’m just a little on edge.”
“Perfectly understandable.” I sat down on the bed and took one of her hands. “How are you doing? You need me to stay in here with you tonight?”
She nodded, biting her lip.
“All right. I’m going to take a quick shower, and then I’ll be back in, okay?”
She nodded again.
“I’m going to let Lucy in for the night. I’ll tell her to stay in here with you while I shower.”
She smiled.
I got up, went back to the kitchen, and let Lucy in. Then I went to my bedroom and showered. When I returned to Melanie’s room, I found Lucy cozy on the foot of her bed. I laughed. “She knows better than to get on the bed.”
“Don’t blame her. I coaxed her into it. Having her here just feels good.”
“If it feels good to you, she can stay.” I smiled. “I just hope there’s enough room for me.”
“I’ll always make room for you, Jonah.”
I snuggled up next to her. She was naked. I hadn’t been expecting that.
“Why do you have pajama pants on?” she asked.
“I just want you to feel safe tonight,” I said.
“Safe from you?”
I let out a sigh. “You’re always safe from me. I would never hurt you.” Except that I already had. She just didn’t know it yet. I shouldn’t have said those words, even if I felt them deep in my soul. I’d rather burn in hell for eternity than harm Melanie Carmichael. Why hadn’t I considered every single possibility when I saw her phone call that evening? Why?
I was so tired of failing people.
“Just take them off, Jonah. I need to feel you against me. I need to know that you’re here.”
Having no barrier between Melanie and me was a prescription for a hard-on. She didn’t need more sex right now. She needed sleep, and so did I.
I sat up, removed my lounge pants, and then snuggled back against her, trying to ignore the throbbing in my groin. I kissed the back of her head. “Sleep now. I’m right here. I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise.”
She seemed restless for a few minutes, but finally settled down. When her breathing settled into a shallow rhythm, I finally joined her in sleep.
* * *