Tempted by My Buddy after Getting Cheated On

Chapter 3 You're So Sexy

Elrod's face hardened suddenly.

He took my restless hand, pressing it down firmly, his patience thick while he said with an unspoken warning, "Melissa, calm down. I know Ash and Ash got under your skin, but listen. I don't want you to regret this. If you keep acting like this, you'll regret it. We won't even be able to stay friends. Don't worry. Once I deal with them, we'll talk about us."

Elrod silently added to himself. 'I'm not some toy. If you poke the bear, you'd better be ready to take responsibility.'

His words cooled the storm inside me, and I nodded, taking a deep breath.

I grabbed a bottle of cold water, drinking several mouthfuls, trying to cool the heat coursing through me.

I was about to apologize to Elrod when my phone rang, startling me. It was the school calling.

I laughed bitterly. 'Kiana, that b***h, probably crying and complaining to anyone who would listen.'

She must have reported me for injuring her hand on purpose for tomorrow's big match.

The school asked about the situation.

I answered coolly, "You can ask her yourself. I'll be impressed if she can tell you where I broke her hand. If she can't, I've got a recording that might jog her memory. It'll remind her where we were, which hotel, and which bed she was in."

The teacher asked me to stay calm and promised they'd look into it. They also wished me luck for the competition tomorrow.

I hung up, my mood darkened by the entire situation.

"Need any help?" Elrod asked, his voice full of concern.

I shook my head. "No, I've got this. Kiana's just scared. She knows she's going to lose tomorrow, and now she's playing dirty, deliberately hurting her arm. Only Ash that i***t, would fall for her tricks. f**k them both. They're nothing but clowns. I don't even care."

Seeing my anger, Elrod didn't try to comfort me. Instead, he grabbed my arm and led me out of the car.

"Where are we going?" I asked, confused.

Without answering, Elrod walked me into the hotel, booked a room, and pushed me inside.

"Sweetheart, what you need right now is to forget everything and just sleep. And I'm looking forward to your amazing performance tomorrow."

He gently stroked my face and kissed my forehead.

I looked up at him, surprised. At that moment, he looked sexier than anyone else.

Maybe I was just too tired, but I quickly fell asleep.

What I didn't notice was the cold, calculating look that had settled on Elrod's face.

He immediately made a call, his tone as cold as a demon's. "Send the video to her boyfriend. Tell him to beat Ash Rothman up. The harder, the better."

After hanging up, he muttered Ash's name with disdain and sneered.

'A loser like him doesn't deserve to own Melissa.'

The first thing I did when I woke up the next morning was turn on my phone.

As expected, Ash had bombarded me with a dozen missed calls.

I coldly deleted the entire history and then typed out a single message: We're done!

I returned to school, preparing for the competition. Just as I stepped backstage to get my makeup done, Kiana stormed up to me, eyes blazing, and demanded, "Melissa, did you tell my boyfriend to beat up Ash? Did you trick him into telling the teachers he broke my arm?"

I was stunned by her words, but I didn't bother explaining. She deserved every bit of it!

"What now? Got caught with your hand in the cookie jar, and now you're blaming me? Kiana, you're really good at making excuses for yourself. If you're going to cheat, you better be ready to face the consequences. Your boyfriend did the right thing. I don't think you've got any reason to complain."

With that, I turned to walk away, but Kiana let out a derisive laugh.

"Melissa, how could you still be fine now?"

I turned back, meeting her eyes, just as she pulled out her phone. Right then, someone from outside shouted, "Melissa, you're up!"

I didn't have time for her nonsense. I smiled at my reflection in the mirror, my steps sure and confident as I headed out.

Kiana, however, just stood there, biting her lip, fuming with anger.

The moment I stepped out, something strange happened. As she exited the backstage, someone grabbed her by the neck hard.

Up on the stage, I was the star.

While I was lost in the performance, I caught a glimpse of Ash storming in with a scowl. And then, Kiana, who had been backstage, suddenly appeared, her eyes wide with fear, and she ran straight into Ash's arms.

I couldn't help but smirk as I noticed the puzzled looks of my classmates.

'Look at her. The b***h is done pretending!'

But that wasn't all. Just when I thought the drama couldn't get any worse, Elrod showed up.

He was dressed in a black baseball jacket, his firm, toned frame hidden beneath the fabric.

I remembered the feeling of his touch. It was so solid and powerful. Just thinking about it made me smile.

He caught my eye from across the room with a smile.

Our eyes met briefly, a silent connection that felt charged as if the air between us had thickened with something... unspoken.

He gave Ash a cold, dismissive glance before his gaze returned to me, focused, determined.

His gaze was like a silent show of support, as though he was rooting for me, standing firmly by my side.

When the performance ended, the applause erupted from the crowd, loud and thunderous. Like a stampede of wild beasts, their cheers deafening and thrilling.

I quickly changed backstage, eager to find Elrod, but Ash barged in just as I was about to leave, shoving me against the wall.

He demanded, "Melissa, last night, you said that guy was your new boyfriend. You're just trying to piss me off, aren't you?"

His hands were like iron, pinning me there. I pushed against him, but it was useless. So, I countered with a sharp question, "What do you think, Ash Rothman? You cheated on me, so why can't I find someone new?"

I tilted my head up, meeting his gaze defiantly, refusing to back down.

But Ash suddenly smiled, a look of obsession in his eyes as he gazed at me. Before I could react, he cupped my face and kissed me!

I pushed him away with all my strength, slapping him hard across the face.

I recoiled, wiping my mouth in disgust, feeling like I'd just eaten something foul.

Ash, though, was unfazed. He wiped his lips with a sick grin. "Melissa, seriously... you're so sexy when you're angry."

'What the hell is wrong with him? Lunatic!'

I turned to leave, but he blocked my path again, a smug look in his eyes!