𝒞𝒶𝓉𝒶𝓈𝓉𝓇𝑜𝓅𝒽𝒾𝒸 ℒ𝑜𝓋𝑒 •BILLY HARGROVE•

CHAPTER XXIII

MELANIE EVENTUALLY MET up with Robbie, who was eager to sunbathe by the pool and sell his "homemade" orange juices to the kids for some extra cash. Melanie had agreed to come along after hearing that Billy wasn't working that day. Plus, she desperately needed a tan; she was getting pale and needed some vitamin D. Pregnancy wasn't an excuse for letting herself go.

"I need the old Melanie back," she sighed, pouting slightly as she reclined on the sunbed, sweating profusely because she chose to keep her baby bump covered.

"Oh yeah?" Robbie asked, glancing over at her as he stacked bottles of juice into his Coleman cooler. "What was the old Melanie like?"

"She was hot. Incredibly hot," Melanie emphasised, fanning herself with a paper fan. "No swollen ankles, no heavy eye bags, no swollen tits... just enjoying being a teenage girl, you know?" she reminisced.

Robbie walked over and perched on the edge of her sunbed, grinning. "How hot are we talking on a scale of 1 to 10?"

Melanie sat up, smirking at him. "A million."

"Oh, is that right?!" Robbie chuckled, handing Melanie a bottle of orange juice.

"Damn right." Melanie took the bottle from his hand, unscrewing the cap. "Are you even allowed to sell this here?"

"Nope, but who's gonna stop me?"

As if on cue, the door from the changing rooms swung open, and there stood Billy, in all his glory: shirtless, sweaty, and looking like he owned the place. Melanie hadn't noticed him yet, but he made his way over to the sunbeds, while Melanie and Robbie were laughing and chatting away. Robbie turned his head and saw Billy standing in front of them.

Melanie slowly pushed her sunglasses up onto her head. Billy's eyes were locked on Robbie, scanning him from head to toe, completely ignoring Melanie, which only irritated her more.

"Did you get permission to sell your stupid concoctions at my pool?" Billy asked with a scowl.

"Sorry, who are you again?" Robbie joked, standing up to face Billy. Billy closed the gap between them, scoffing in disbelief.

He glared at Robbie. "You've got five minutes to pack up your shit and leave." Then he finally turned to Melanie. "Both of you."

Melanie got up from her seat, supporting her bump as she stood. "That's all you have to say to me? Not even a 'hello, Melanie' or 'how are you, Mel?' You just kick me out?"

"Pack up your shit and leave."

"We're not going anywhere, Billy." Robbie retorted.

"Yeah, we're not going anywhere. Our baby needs some vitamin D." Melanie added mockingly, slipping off her sundress to reveal her bikini and prominent baby bump.

"Our? He's the father?" Robbie questioned, glancing back at Melanie, now in her bikini.

Melanie nodded. "Yep. The deadbeat. I'm not hiding anymore, Billy. Everyone is going to know you're the daddy. All these moms you're trying to seduce? They're going to find out..."

Billy took a step closer to Melanie, shifting the toothpick in his mouth with his tongue. Robbie stepped in front of him, blocking his path to her.

"I wouldn't, if I were you." Robbie threatened, clenching his jaw. "Last time I checked, this is a public pool. We have every right to stay as long as we want."

Melanie smirked slightly, watching Robbie shift into protective mode. It reminded her of how Steve used to be with her.

"Are you threatening me?" Billy asked, his voice low and dangerous.