Chapter 51
Chapter 51
Jocelyn was half asleep when the buzzing of her phone vibrating freaked her out a bit.
She reached for her phone and answered groggily, “Hello?”
“Sleeping like a log?” The voice on the other end had a slightly creepy vibe.
Jocelyn frowned, “Who’s this?”
There was no answer.
Something felt off to Jocelyn, and she forced her eyes open to squint at the screen. Seeing that number sent a jolt through her, and instantly she was almost awake.
“What do you want?” she said, still with her eyes closed, but her brain was now in full gear.
A call in the dead of night? This dude was up to no good.
Melvin said, “I’m giving you ten minutes. Get to the hospital now.”
“I’m not sick. Why the heck would I go to the hospital? No way.
Jocelyn! Melvin was getting ticked off.
Jocelyn snorted, Yelling won’t help. What? Expecting me to come and catch you and Willow getting all lovey–dovey? That would be the real sickness.
Melvin was seething.
Why won’t this woman get a clue? She used to care so much about him hanging out with Willow, and now she couldn’t care less that he and Willow were at the hospital in the middle of the night?
“Aren’t you supposed to get a little jealous, you know, like a girlfriend? Melvin was thankful he was young and healthy, otherwise she’d have given him an aneurysm by now.
Jocelyn’s eyes snapped open again, shimmering with light.
She pursed her lips, got the hint from his words, cleared her throat, and sounded a bit more normal, “Girlfriend?”
“I’ll give you one more chance. Ten minutes. Now. Immediately!” With that, Melvin hung up.
Jocelyn looked at the phone screen and chuckled.
The hospital finally looked a bit more like its usual self in the dead of night–less crowded, less chaos. Jocelyn, all perked up, headed to the ward and knocked on the door.
It was Melvin who opened it.
Jocelyn raised an eyebrow, but Melvin glared at her, annoyed at how slow she was.
“Who is it?” The voice of Willow came from inside, sounding a tad weak this time.
Jocelyn, arms filled with flowers and fruit, which was pretty thoughtful considering the time, bumped shoulders with Melvin and walked in, “Willow, it’s me.”
Seeing Jocelyn, Willow turned gloomy immediately. Her gaze shifted to Melvin, standing behind Jocelyn, and that twisting pain in her heart returned.
Did he call her over on purpose to embarrass her and add to her distress?
“No need to go out of your way this late, Willow said, maintaining her politeness but with a frosty tone.
Jocelyn set the flowers and fruit basket on the table, “I was planning to visit you when the sun was up, but
Melvin insisted I come now. Sorry if I disturbed your rest.”
Willow knew what Melvin was up to; he just didn’t want to be alone with her, right?
Im fine here. You can go back,” Willow said, “It’s enough that Melvin is here.”
Jocelyn had to admire Willow’s persistence, even in this state, she still wanted Melvin to herself.
Jocelyn didn’t beat around the bush, “Alright, rest up. I’m heading out then.”
“Mhm.”
As soon as Willow finished, Melvin chimed in, “I’ll take you home.”
*No need. You stay here and take good care of Willow. She’s pretty pitiful all alone here,” Jocelyn was the picture of magnanimity, “I’ll just grab a cab.”
Melvin glared, “I said, I’m taking you home!”
The more he insisted, the better Jocelyn felt.
She had figured things out that most worries were self–made, especially in relationships. The more she cared, the harder it got.
Lately, she’d lightened up, not feeling as tied down anymore, and everything seemed brighter.
“Really, it’s okay,” Jocelyn said, staring into his brooding eyes with a gentle smile, the picture of understanding, “I can manage on my own.”
She was turning him down.
Melvin’s eyes narrowed dangerously, and he dragged her out of the room, slamming the door behind them. Willow stared blankly at the door.
Did he really not want to be with her that badly?
“What are you doing?” Jocelyn asked as he pulled her into the emergency stairwell. The lights flicked on because of their presence, and the heavy door shut, leaving them in silence.
Melvin pinned her against the wall, “What’s your game?”
“What did I do now?” Jocelyn was exasperated, “Isn’t giving you some space okay?”
“Now you just couldn’t care less about me.” Melvin was finally tasting that feeling of indifference. Before, if he wasn’t home or was out, she’d always call or text to check on him. But lately, she genuinely seemed not to give a damn.
He’d been with Willow at the hospital for ages, and she was still cool as a cucumber at home.
And now she was ready to leave just like that, generously handing him over to Willow like passing on a toy. Did she really get sharing on such a deep level?
“Isn’t this what you wanted?” Jocelyn didn’t quite get why he was suddenly bringing this up, “I mean, I can’t exactly keep tabs on you, can I? Even if we were married, guys don’t like being nagged.”
“Don’t give me that crap,” Melvin’s grip tightened on her waist, and he growled, “Keep a close eye on YOUR man!” Jocelyn blinked, then bit her lip to suppress a giggle.
Melvin frowned, “What’s so funny?”
“Just thinking you’re kind of a jerk.” Jocelyn reached up to touch his face, “You shouldn’t be like this.
Melvin grabbed her hand, “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to.”
And what would that be?”
ou want to distance yourself from me, to hook up with that guy,” Melvin pinched her chin, tilting it up slightly, each word deliberate, “Forget about it.”
Jocelyn found it hilarious that he was getting all possessive and jealous. She hadn’t noticed this petty side of him before.
Leaning against the wall, she looked at him with a smirk, “Do you realize you’re acting just like someone who’s fallen hard for me?”
His hand on her chin stiffened, and for a moment, his eyes betrayed a flicker of panic. Jocelyn chuckled softly. Melvin let go of her, his words a bit forced, “Yeah, I’m in love… with you.”
Jocelyn’s cheeks flushed as she playfully pounded on his chest.
“Listen up, don’t go playing Mr. Generous with me,” Melvin said, firmly holding her hand. “Play it a bit stingy for once and stick with me.”
“You really don’t want to be alone with your ex, huh? Poor thing’s hurt,” Jocelyn tried to shake him off, but he had an iron grip.
Melvin’s grip only tightened. “Cut the sarcasm. Let’s go home.”
Jocelyn was dragged out through the emergency exit. He let go of her hand, then pushed open Willow’s hospital room door, walked over, and said in a frosty tone, “Get some rest. I’m out.”
“You’re not staying with me?” Willow glanced towards the door.
Melvin replied indifferently, “You’re a woman, so you know how petty women get. If I don’t head back now, I might as well not have a home to return to.”
Seriously?
Outside, Jocelyn thought, “Blaming it all on me? What a shameless move!”
Willow gave an awkward smile, “Jocelyn’s got a tight leash on you.”
Jocelyn thought to herself, “If only I could lock this door from the outside, I’d trap them both in there without a second thought.”
Then she heard Melvin say, “She’s got a bit of a possessive streak.”
Jocelyn felt like vomiting blood.
