Marcus

I can't believe what I'm hearing. The phone pressed against my ear, I try to wrap my head around Adam's words. "What the fuck do you mean Melanie will be at your lake house this weekend?" I demand, trying to keep my voice steady.

Adam sighs on the other end of the line, and I can almost picture him rubbing his temples. "Relax, dude. Melanie needed some time away, and she asked Mallory for the lake house. I said yes."

My jaw tightens as I process the information. It's like a punch to the gut, and I can't help the anger bubbling up. "Why?" I grind out, my voice strained.

Adam's explanation comes through, measured and calm. "Because she needs it, man."

I run a hand through my hair, frustration and disappointment intertwining. I was okay with giving her space, respecting her need for time, but a small part of me secretly hoped that this weekend would be a chance to see her, to talk, maybe even to fix things. Now that hope feels like it's slipping away.

"Is she going alone?" I ask, the question heavy with an emotion I can't quite name.

"No," Adam replies, "she's going with her friend, Evie."

Relief floods through me, a mix of conflicting emotions. At least she's not going with Daniel. That could mean something, right? Maybe she's reconsidering her relationship with him. Maybe there's hope.

"Why isn't she going with Daniel?" I press, the questions building up.

"I don't know, man. You should talk to her," Adam suggests.

I groan in frustration. "She asked for time. I can't just pressure her for answers."

After a brief pause, Adam suggests, "I'll talk to Mallory. Maybe she can have a chat with Melanie, find out what's going on."

"Thanks," I say, genuine gratitude in my voice. Adam's willingness to help means more than he probably realizes.

We exchange a few more words before ending the call. My mind is a whirlwind of thoughts. Melanie at the lake house, without Daniel, with Evie. What does it all mean? I'm torn between the relief that she's not going with Daniel and the frustration that I won't be seeing her this weekend.

Deciding I need some fresh air to clear my head, I grab my jacket and head downstairs. As I reach the entrance, my mother's voice calls out to me.

"Marcus, are you joining us for dinner?" she asks, her hopeful eyes searching mine.

I glance at the dining table, the idea of a family meal feeling distant and inconsequential. "Not hungry, Mom. I'm going for a walk," I reply, the words slipping out with a detached nonchalance.

She looks disappointed, but she simply says, "Okay." I turn on my heel and step outside, the cool breeze hitting me immediately. As I walk across the front yard, getting onto the sidewalk, a voice calls out behind me. "Hey, dumbass! Wait up!"

I turn around to find Natalie, running towards me. She catches up, slightly out of breath, and grins. "Can I walk with you?"

Maybe some company will do me good. I nod, and we start walking side by side, the rhythmic sound of our footsteps breaking the silence.

After a while, Natalie breaks the quiet, her voice gentle yet direct. "I don't know what's going on with Melanie, but you shouldn't be such a dick to Mom."

I glance at her, surprised by her bluntness. "I'm not being a dick," I protest, but even as the words leave my mouth, I know she's onto something.

Natalie raises an eyebrow. "Really? 'Cause Mom's been asking if you're okay, and you just brush her off."

I sigh, realizing she might have a point. "It's just... things are complicated right now."

She gives me a knowing look. "They always are. But that doesn't mean you get to shut everyone out."

I appreciate her honesty, even if it stings a bit. "I'm not shutting everyone out."

Natalie raises an eyebrow, a skeptical look on her face. "Oh, come on, Marcus! Mom is worried, and you storming out like this doesn't help."

I sigh, realizing that Natalie is right. The whirlwind of emotions with Melanie has distracted me from the people who care about me. "It's just... I don't know what's happening with Melanie, and it's driving me crazy."

Natalie gives me a sympathetic look. "I get it. But shutting Mom out won't solve anything. You've always been stubborn."

"Yeah, yeah," I mumble, a small smile tugging at my lips. Leave it to Natalie to call me out on my flaws.

I slide my arm onto Natalie's shoulder as we continue walking, the simple gesture bringing an unexpected comfort. The weight on my shoulders seems a bit lighter, thanks to her presence.

After a few minutes of companionable silence, Natalie breaks it with a direct question. "So, what the hell is going on with Melanie?"

I sigh, my eyes dropping to the pavement as I recount the recent events. "She finally unblocked me, and we met on Tuesday."

Natalie widens her eyes, her reaction immediate. She punches me on my ribs and demands, "Why the hell didn't you tell me about it?"

I wince, rubbing the spot where she hit. "It didn't go that well. She kissed me." I admit, causing Natalie to stop in her tracks, turning to face me." But then, she regretted it instantly and left. She asked for time."

"What?" she exclaims, her disbelief evident.

I nod, confirming the unexpected turn of events. "Yeah. And she's going to Adam's lake house this weekend with her friend, Evie."

Natalie narrows her eyes, processing the information. She asks, "She's not going with Daniel?"

I shake my head. "No."

Natalie pinches her chin with her thumb and forefinger, contemplating. Carefully, she says, "I think it's good that she's leaving town with her friend."

I raise an eyebrow, surprised by her perspective. "Really?"

Natalie nods. "Yeah. If she needs space, going with a friend might help. Going with Daniel would complicate things more. At least this way, she can have a break and figure things out without pressure."

Her words resonate with me, offering a new perspective on the situation. "Yeah, maybe you're right."

Natalie smiles, the expression a mix of empathy and understanding. "Give her some time, Marcus. If it's meant to work out, it will."

"I hoped to see Melanie this weekend," I admit to Natalie, frustration lacing my words.

Natalie looks at me, her expression sympathetic. "Marcus, she asked you for time. Four days is not time."

I let out an exasperated groan. "Then how many days is time?"

Natalie shrugs, her answer thoughtful. "At least a couple of weeks."

I run a hand through my hair, grunting in mild frustration. "Women."

Natalie giggles and playfully links her arm with mine, encouraging me to continue walking. "Maybe Melanie will need less time, especially since she's going away with her friend."

I side-eye her, a mix of skepticism and curiosity. Natalie continues, "I believe she'll choose you."

I raise an eyebrow, surprised by her confidence. Natalie quickly adds, "And I'm not saying that because you're my brother. I genuinely think she will."

"I hope you're right," I admit, my voice reflecting both hope and uncertainty.

Natalie responds with confidence, "Trust me, I am."

Taking a deep breath, I allow my gaze to wander to the road ahead. Natalie nudges me gently. "Think about it," she continues, her voice steady. "She's already in a relationship with Daniel. If she truly wanted him, it would be a no-brainer. But she's going away with her friend. That means she needs space, not just from you but from Daniel too. She needs time to think straight and make a decision. And she'll choose you."

A genuine smile forms on my face, Natalie's words sinking in. Her certainty is a balm to my anxious thoughts. I consider what she's saying, the logic in her words. I am grateful Natalie's straightforward perspective, a welcomed contrast to the tangled mess of emotions I've been navigating.

"Thanks, Natalie," I say, squeezing her arm appreciatively. "I needed that."

Natalie grins. "Anytime, big brother. Now, let's get back home."