“It feels like we’re over.”
Melody’s voice sounded rough as she asked, “Is that what you want?”
“No, but I can’t remain in limbo, either. We either need to move forward or be done.” Giving Melody this ultimatum hadn’t been part of his plan tonight. He hadn’t wanted to fight with her at all. “The decision is up to you.”
“I need to think about it.”
Impatience snapped along his nerve endings. “The tour ended two months ago. You’ve had plenty of time to think.”
“Things are a little more complicated than they seem.”
She didn’t elaborate even though Kyle gave her the space to do so. Once upon a time Melody had been able to talk to Kyle about everything. Now, it was as if they were strangers.
“How complicated can it be?” he finally asked. “Do you want to be with me or with Hunter?”
“With Hunter?” She shook her head in bewilderment. “What are you talking about?”
“That was him on the phone a little while ago, wasn’t it?”
“No. It was my mom calling to wish me a happy Thanksgiving.” She paused and her expression grew incredulous as she stared at him. “Why would you think that it was Hunter?”
Kyle didn’t respond right away. “He wants you back.”
She huffed out a laugh. “That’s ridiculous. Why would you think something like that?”
“He told me so.”
“You spoke with him?” Melody looked aghast and confused that Kyle and Hunter had talked. “When?”
“After the two of you met up in New York. I called and warned him to back off. He told me to go screw myself.” His fist clenched at the memory. “Apparently that night you said something to him about how being on the road can put a strain on a relationship.” Kyle had no idea what had prompted Melody to divulge such private details to her ex-lover, but hearing Hunter repeat the confidence had cut deep. “He took that to mean we weren’t getting along. And he told me he intends to make you fall back in love with him.”
“He wouldn’t do that.”
“Don’t you mean he can’t do that?” Kyle blew out a breath and struggled to calm his pounding heart.
“Hunter can’t get me back...” She didn’t meet his gaze. “Because I still love you.” An undertone of doubt marred the declaration.
“You don’t sound as if you believe that.”
Shivering, she glanced toward the sliding glass door. When her eyes widened, Kyle followed the direction of her gaze and realized four pairs of eyes were watching them. As soon as their audience realized they’d been spotted, everyone looked away. Melody covered her face with her hands and groaned.
“They all want what’s best for us,” Kyle said.
Everyone in the house was pulling for them with the exception of one-year-old Dylan, who had no idea what was going on, and perhaps, Melody herself.
“I know.” She let her hands fall. “I don’t want to have this conversation here. Can you take me back to Trent’s? We can continue our discussion there.”
Getting her to talk to him was all he’d wanted these last few months. Well, maybe not all he’d wanted. If the tour had never happened. If she’d never gone to New York City and met up with Hunter in the nightclub. If he’d never let jealousy get the better of him. If he’d been allowed to express his emotions growing up.
His list of ifs went on and on.
But for now, he was happy that they were communicating again. Even if what was being said had the potential to hurt.
Kyle nodded. “That sounds good to me.”
* * *
Ten minutes later, after they’d said their goodbyes, Kyle was negotiating the streets of Las Vegas, heading to the two-bedroom guesthouse on her brother’s property where Melody stayed whenever she visited Las Vegas.