Melody (THE LOGAN FAMILY) (2 page)

“Hey, come on in.” She hoped she didn’t look too much like a flake.

He yawned. “Mel, is this uh…” He grinned. “One of your ‘Craig’ moments?”

He rubbed his chin.

She grinned. “‘Craig moments’? I have no idea what you mean.”

“You know exactly what I mean.” He smirked. “One of those moments when you expect me to save your sanity or at least your life?” He touched her chin. “You know I’m always here when you need me, Mel. But I gotta tell you that your phone call almost made me shit my pants. Thought I’d come here to find you swimming in a pool of blood.”

“Craig, could you for once let someone tell you what they want before thinking you know all the answers?” She walled her eyes. “I can’t tell you how annoying that is.”

“Well, I’ve been doing it for years, so you should be used to it by now.” He grinned.

“Silly ass, no.” She sighed. She’d forgotten that Craig could be a top-notch asshole at times, too.

“Ah!” He laughed. “You called me a ‘silly ass’ in Spanish? You
must
be pissed if you’re speaking words of your motherland,” he teased.

She laughed. “Would you shut up and stop being such an asshole? God I don’t know why I care about you so much.”

“Well, I…shit doughnuts.” He ran to the snacks. “I’m here for you as long as the doughnuts and coffee is.” He bit into the glazed chocolate-filled one. “Mmm, this is my favorite. So what’s up?” She sat beside him.

“Remember this morning when I said I met Keith, Sarah’s boyfriend, at Caper Enterprises?” Craig nodded. “I told you I didn’t like his attitude and thought something may have been off with him. You remember that?”

He licked his lips. “Of course, I remember, it was just this morning. What am I, eighty years old? I don’t have Alzheimer’s yet, Mel.” He mumbled while chewing.

“Well, you said I wasn’t giving him a fair chance. And that I always judge Sarah’s boyfriends before getting to know them.” Melody twiddled her fingers.

He wiped crumbs on the thighs of his jeans. “Here we go. Did I say you always did this or didn’t I say it? Mel, don’t start with all of this again. You need to get yourself some help. You don’t want to share Sarah with anyone, do you? Give the guy a break. Maybe he’s just an asshole. She’ll figure it out.”

“Craig, this is not like those other times. Okay, I have never liked Sarah’s boyfriends but I had cause.” He walled his eyes. “All of them have been jerks, I’m telling you! I don’t know where she meets these guys,
Creeps R Us
?” Craig grinned.

“But none of them hold a candle to Keith Taylor. Something, uh…happened.”

Craig grabbed another doughnut. “What happened, Mel?”

She exhaled. “Craig, he saw me…
naked
.” He dropped the doughnut on Sarah’s pristine carpet. “Watch it, Craig!” Melody rushed to clean it up. “Sarah turns into Kathy Bates in
Misery
if she sees one crumb on this floor.”

“Fuck the doughnut, okay?” He gasped. “How the fuck did he see you naked? Even when we went out,
I
didn’t. “

She sighed. “Craig it was the most frightening thing I have ever experienced. He didn’t touch me but it was just like he had. I have never been that afraid. The minute I knew he was there I just got this fear that I couldn’t control. It overtook my entire body. I shut down, Craig! I couldn’t even move and my words shook. I didn’t think people could have that kind of power over someone until I met Keith Taylor.”

He stared in midair. “What exactly happened?”

“Keith had been waiting here when I got home. He said Sarah had given him a key and told him to come by. So, of course you can imagine how pissed I was to find a man I’d just met this morning sitting in my own living room. I went in my room to change and the next thing I knew he was up there too. I didn’t know what to think.”

“What kind of shit is that?” Craig grimaced. “Did you tell Sarah?”

“I couldn’t.” She twiddled her fingers to subdue the tension of rehashing the Keith episode. It didn’t work. Nothing seemed to get her mind off that moment.

“You have to tell her, Mel! Who knows what could have happened!”

“I just couldn’t, Craig. She’s too into him already and it seems pathetic. Look, Sarah isn’t happy that often and I can’t take that away. Especially when I don’t know what the hell exactly happened!”

He shook his head. “It makes no difference, Mel. She needs to know what kind of guy he is. This man is a creep. If I can tell just by what you say, then I know he’s up to no good. What kind of man goes into a woman’s bedroom like that? I can only think of one kind and most of them end up behind bars, Melody.”

She chewed her thumb. “Maybe I misunderstood his actions. Maybe he was just looking for the bathroom.”

“Oh yeah.” Craig sniggered. “And he just happened to stop into your bedroom along the way, huh? Believe me, Mel. If a man goes into a woman’s bedroom you can believe he intended to.” So far Craig’s theory hadn’t comforted her the way she hoped. Why couldn’t she stop thinking about it? It seemed like Keith continued to violate her privacy as the day went on. “Melody, don’t go thinking like this is your fault, all right?

It’s just not normal, baby. You didn’t need me to tell you that.”

“I suppose not,” she sighed.

“So, what’s the deal? You gotta tell Sarah before it’s too late. I got a feeling that Keith is someone who needs to be out of the picture, as soon as possible.”

“Craig, I’m gonna let it go.” She shrugged. “I mean, I can’t hurt Sarah over one incident.”

He scoffed. “You still trying to make yourself believe that what happened wasn’t what you think happened?” He shook his head. “Mel, we’ve known each other for years, and I’ve never seen someone stop you from doing what’s right.” She ignored his gaze.

“Go tell Sarah right now. You know that’s the only choice you have. If the tables were turned and your boyfriend looked at Sarah…”

She scoffed. “My boyfriends
do
look at Sarah. That’s why they don’t stay my boyfriends for long.”

“Do I look like I am kidding, Mel? This shit is serious. No telling how far this guy will go next time. Okay today, he watched you undress. What’s next, he puts his hands on you?”

“Oh no, he wouldn’t do that.”

“How the hell do you know?” Craig grinned. “Did you know he’d come up to your room today, too? I know you’re scared. If not, you wouldn’t have begged me to come over here. You know what needs to be done so do it, Melody. If not, then don’t mention this ever again. Damn, I’d love to meet this guy and give him a piece of my mind.”

She looked at him. “Is it because you care? Or because you’re
jealous
?”

He unconvincingly scoffed and tugged on his earring. “Of course, I care. I may even be a
little
jealous.”

“I knew it!” She laughed. She valued Craig’s friendship like nothing else. Yet, she missed those times when they did more than talk.

“Melody, this is serious.” He sighed. “Are you okay?”

She smiled. “Yeah.”

“You sure he didn’t touch you? You can tell me if he did.”

“No, I’m fine, thanks.”

A noise interrupted them from upstairs. Sarah walked into the den. She had endured a very hard week working and going to school. She did her best to provide Melody with decent support as well as a suitable place to live. Most sisters couldn’t be in the same room with each other for a minute—let alone live together. Melody felt blessed to share such a friendship with Sarah. No matter what else happened they could always count on each other.

“Hey,” Sarah said as she stretched. She flinched until her eyes adjusted to the light. She looked great even after a hard nap. Craig shook his head. Melody didn’t have to guess. Sarah and Craig were already on their way to another one of their famous confrontations. Sarah hadn’t forgiven Craig for dumping Melody in high school. Melody hated seeing them fuss like children, yet it brought a certain spark to their relationship.

She wondered if the tension could be mistaken for sexual chemistry. She chuckled. It would have been interesting to see Craig and Sarah succumb to such a fantasy. Melody wouldn’t have been surprised if Craig found Sarah attractive. He’d be the only man in the free world who didn’t.

“Craig,” Sarah sighed. “What a lovely surprise.” She acted as if the statement would eventually choke her. “You’re here and eating our food…like always.” She walled her eyes.

“Nice to see you, too, Sarah.” He stood. “Don’t worry. I was just leaving, baby.”

Melody definitely saw chemistry between them. She wondered why she paid so much attention to Craig these days. Could she still be in love with him after all this time? Had her friendship with him been just an excuse to hang on? Craig slapped Melody’s back. She juggled from her thoughts.

“I swear, no one daydreams like you, Mel.” Craig kissed her cheek and smiled at Sarah. “So did Your Highness enjoy her royal nap?”

Sarah faked a smile. “I’m not in the mood to get into anything with you, Craig.”

He shrugged. “No, you’re never in the mood for me are you, Sarah?” He went to the door. “Bye, lovelies. Mel, you know what you need to do.” She waved.

“Bye, Craig.” Sarah waved. “And thanks for stopping by unannounced, like you always do.” He left. “He’s such an asshole.” Sarah noticed crumbs on the carpet.

“Mel, I swear I could get a Saint Bernard who‘d keep things cleaner than you do.”

Melody cleaned the spot she’d missed. “How was your nap?”

“Restless.” She sighed. “I kept waking up before Keith kissed me.” She grinned.

Melody walled her eyes. “I’m sure you’ll dream about him again. Sarah, I really need to uh…talk to you.”

“Mel, how can you be friends with Craig after what he did?”

“I admit, he might not have been the right boyfriend for me but he is the right friend.”

“Please.” Sarah took a doughnut. “Stop kidding yourself. He’s only your friend because he doesn’t want to cut the strings completely. He’s scared to really let you go.”

“And what’s wrong with not wanting to let someone go?” Sarah looked at her.

“We all hold onto some things, Sarah.” Sarah licked powdered sugar from her thumb.

Melody thought of Keith. “You understand what I mean, Sarah? We all hold onto things even if we don’t need to.”

“Melody, why the hell are you talking in riddles today? What’s your problem? I mean you’ve been acting like a nutcase since this evening. If something is on your mind, I wish you’d be woman enough to tell me about it.”

“It’s just so hard to say this. Sarah, I don’t want you to think that I’m trying to run your life. I truly want you to be happy and…”

She slapped Melody’s lap. “I think I know why you’re acting so weird today, baby girl.”

“Uh, why?” Melody stared.

“Lucas Lawson.” Sarah winked.

Melody grinned coyly. “Lucas Lawson? Where did that come from?”

“Well, Keith works at Caper Enterprises under Lucas’ father.”

“So?”

“Well, when you went up there did you see Lucas himself?” Sarah chuckled.

Melody grinned. “Maybe. Okay, it was sort of like fate. Imagine seeing someone you’ve really missed after all this time, Sarah.” She smiled. “Can you believe he’s even more handsome now than he was back then? Maybe it’s time we got together again. We were so close growing up. Well, until I dropped out of school.”

Sarah nodded. “I have to admit, Lucas Lawson was the cutest guy you hung with.”

“And not to mention him being the son of very wealthy parents never hurt anything either.” Sarah laughed. Melody hit her head. “Wait, now I’m sounding like the gold digger you are.”

“Hey!” Sarah laughed. “I’m not a gold digger, okay. I support myself and there is nothing wrong with wanting a guy to spend money on you. Melody, you should really give Lucas a chance. I mean, not many women have a man like Lucas after them.”

“Oh please, that was a long time ago, Sarah. We were in high school. Before it used to be the four of us—Lucas, Craig, Aileen and me. Sure, Lucas and I flirted with the idea of getting together but if it was meant to be we would have, right?”

“Look, you were a teenager then and you were with Craig.” Sarah walled her eyes. “For what, I don’t know. Everything’s different now. You’re a woman and Lucas is a man.” She laughed.

“Thanks for clearing that up for me, Sarah.” Melody grinned.

“Seriously, if fate threw you two back together, he could truly be the one, Mel.”

“Somehow I’m not convinced.”

“You’d be a fool not to be. The man is prime-A material, Melody. And I got the feeling many women want him. If he wants you, I wouldn’t fuck things up by being too damn slow. A man like Lucas won’t wait forever.”

“Which proves my point. If he can’t wait for me, then he isn’t the one for me.” Melody stuck her head into the air.

Sarah chuckled. “You know, you got this goody two-shoes thing happening, and it really gets on my nerves.”

Melody laughed. “He’s just not my type, okay? Let’s drop it.”