Marcus

As I park my motorcycle outside the bar, the roar of the engine fades into the background, replaced by the pounding of my own heart. I take off my helmet, my hands trembling slightly as I run a hand through my hair. "Fuck, Marcus, get it together," I mutter to myself.

Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes briefly, trying to steady my nerves. Exhaling slowly, I open my eyes again, hoping that the simple act of breathing will calm me down. Let's pretend that worked, I think wryly as I push open the door to the bar and step inside.

Scanning the dimly lit interior, I don't see Adam anywhere. I head towards an empty table in the corner and take a seat, trying to ignore the curious glances from other patrons. A waitress approaches, pen and notepad in hand.

"Can I get you something to drink?" she asks with a friendly smile.

I order a beer, my gaze flickering to my phone as she walks away. Still no messages. Should I text Melanie? No, I decide, not yet. I need to talk to Adam first, find out what the hell is going on.

The waitress returns, placing a cold beer in front of me with another smile. I don't engage, merely nodding in acknowledgment as she leaves. Taking a sip from the bottle, I try to calm my racing thoughts, the cool liquid doing little to soothe the storm brewing within me.

The door to the bar swings open, and I glance up to see Adam entering. I lift a hand to catch his attention, and he spots me, making his way over to the table. His expression is serious, and I can't help but feel a knot of apprehension forming in my stomach.

"Hey, man," I greet him with a half-hearted smile as we exchange a bro hug and take our seats across from each other.

"Hey," Adam replies, his voice grave. "How are you holding up?" he asks, his concern evident.

I scoff, shaking my head. "How do you think?" I retort, frustration bubbling up inside me.

Adam sighs, his gaze sympathetic. "I thought so," he says softly.

Before we can delve any further into the conversation, the waitress returns, still flashing me smiles as she asks Adam if he needs anything. He orders a beer, and she nods before disappearing once again into the crowd.

I don't waste any time, cutting straight to the chase. "What the hell happened?" I demand, the urgency evident in my voice.

Adam exhales sharply, running a hand through his hair as he gathers his thoughts. "Marcus, we've clearly underestimated Daniel," he says, his tone heavy with frustration and disbelief.

I furrow my brow, confusion swirling in my mind. "What do you mean?" I press, leaning in slightly.

Adam leans forward, his expression grim. "Daniel is a sly son of a bitch," he says bitterly. "Mallory is furious. She thinks Daniel started crying to manipulate Melanie, to show her that he supposedly cares for her."

My jaw clenches at the revelation. "So, Daniel faked it?" I ask, feeling a surge of anger rising within me.

Adam nods solemnly. "That's what Mallory and I think," he confirms. "But Melanie... she thinks Daniel was being honest."

I mutter a curse under my breath, my fists clenching at my sides. "Fuck," I whisper, feeling a sense of helplessness wash over me.

The waitress returns, placing a beer in front of Adam with yet another smile aimed at me. I ignore her, my focus solely on the troubling conversation at hand.

The waitress leaves us to our thoughts, and Adam and I both take a sip from our beers. Setting our bottles back on the table, I find myself fumbling with the corner of the bottle label, unable to meet Adam's gaze.

Adam examines me for a moment before speaking, his voice heavy with concern. "Melanie was resolute that yesterday's meeting was just to help Daniel accept that they are over, and now..." His voice trails off, leaving the sentence hanging in the air.

I look up at him, my stomach twisting with apprehension. "And now?" I prompt, my voice barely above a whisper.

Adam sighs, his expression troubled. "Melanie was ready to move on," he begins, his words weighed down by the gravity of the situation. "But when Mallory and I saw her at her new apartment last night, we couldn't help but wonder why she hadn't contacted you already."

I take another sip of my beer, the bitterness of the truth hitting me like a punch to the gut.

Adam continues, his tone somber. "Daniel messed with Melanie's head," he explains, his frustration evident. "Mallory stayed with her last night, and she said that Melanie can't handle the fact that she caused so much pain to Daniel."Top of Form

I shake my head, my heart aching with the desire to comfort Melanie. Fucking Daniel. She probably believes that Daniel has been heartbroken, unable to let go, while she's been trying to move on and find happiness with me. Fucking Daniel.

"Did Mallory say anything else about Melanie?" I ask Adam, my voice tight with worry.

Adam takes a sip of his beer, his expression pained. "Mallory said that Melanie requested to work from home these days," he begins, his words heavy with concern. "Mallory is still with her right now. She mentioned that Melanie seemed to be doing better while she was working, like it was taking her mind off of things."

"How is Melanie now?" I press, my throat tight with anxiety.

Adam presses his lips together, his expression grim. "When I talked to Mallory just before entering the bar, Melanie couldn't stop crying," he reveals, his voice filled with sorrow.

I hit my fist on the table in frustration, feeling the weight of helplessness pressing down on me like a suffocating blanket. Burying my face in my hands, I try to gather my thoughts, but they're a jumbled mess of worry and anger.

Leaning back, I look at Adam, desperation evident in my eyes. "I can't handle this anymore," I admit, my voice trembling with emotion. "I have to see Melanie."

Adam reaches out, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Marcus, I understand how you feel," he says gently, his tone filled with sympathy. "But rushing over to Melanie's might not be the best move right now."

I shake my head, frustration boiling over. "Then what am I supposed to do, Adam?" I demand, my voice laced with desperation. "Just stand by and do nothing?"

Adam sighs, his expression pained. "I get that you want to be there for Melanie," he replies softly. "But if she doesn't want you there, forcing your way in won't help your case."

Taking a deep breath, I try to steady my racing heart. Adam is right. Melanie asked for time, and barging in uninvited won't help anyone. But the desire to soothe Melanie, to erase her tears, gnaws at me relentlessly. The mere thought of her crying has me on edge, my chest tight with worry.

Adam's voice breaks through my thoughts, drawing my attention back to the conversation at hand. "Mallory told me that Melanie doesn't want to get back together with Daniel," he says quietly.

I snap my attention to Adam, my heart skipping a beat. "Melanie said that?" I whisper, a flicker of hope igniting within me.

Adam nods solemnly. "Mallory wanted to make sure that thought wasn't crossing Melanie's mind," he explains. "So she asked her last night if Daniel made her happy. Melanie said no."

My hope falters slightly. "Did she actually say the words, though? That she doesn't want to get back together with Daniel?" I press, my voice tinged with uncertainty.

Adam shakes his head. "No," he admits, his expression somber. I sigh heavily, sinking back into my chair and shaking my head in frustration.

"It's crucial," Adam adds, his voice soft but firm, "that Melanie recognized that Daniel wasn't bringing her happiness in the state she was in yesterday."

My heart tugs at Adam's words, a mixture of relief and sadness swirling within me. Melanie's pain cuts deep, and the thought of her suffering tears at my soul.

Adam shakes his head, his gaze lowering as he speaks. "She was a mess, Marcus," he murmurs, his tone filled with sadness. "Couldn't even utter a word when Daniel left."

I curse under my breath, frustration and anger bubbling to the surface. Melanie doesn't deserve this torment, this heartache. She deserves happiness, and I'll do whatever it takes to give that to her.

"Will Mallory stay there tonight as well?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

Adam nods, a small glimmer of hope shining in his eyes. "Yes," he confirms. "Mallory will try to talk to Melanie more about her feelings about Daniel and you."

My heart skips a beat at the mention of Mallory's efforts. "Will she?" I press, desperation creeping into my voice.

Adam nods again, his expression earnest. "Mallory really wants to see you and Melanie together," he says sincerely. "She wants her sister to be happy, and she knows you can do that."

A small smile tugs at the corners of my lips, gratitude swelling within me. "Please thank Mallory for me," I say to Adam, my voice filled with appreciation.

Adam nods, his expression warm. "I will," he assures me.

I feel a flicker of hope ignite within me as I contemplate the possibilities. Maybe, just maybe, by this time tomorrow, I'll know more about Melanie's state of mind. Perhaps, by this time tomorrow, she'll be back in my arms where she belongs.