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“Why even bother having me and Frenchie defend ourselves? Blade’s gonna take her side because she’s Axel’s,” she screams.
“Doug, hand me her dress.” Axel’s gone into VP mode and all that I had seconds ago is gone. Doug hands me the dress and gives my hand a supportive squeeze.
Doug turns to Axel. “You need to know Crystal was holding her head under. I have no idea what she was thinking, but that is some fucked-up shit.”
“I guess nobody was thinking, Doug,” he sneers as he looks at me.
I bite my bottom lip as the scorching sun beats down on me, but that’s nothing compared to the heat and power radiating off of Axel.
“Put your dress on.” He glares at me.
“Okay,” I hiss as the cotton rubs on my hot skin. The dress that was so soft earlier now feels like I’m wearing a burlap sack.
“Let’s go.” He takes my hand and I have to bite my lip from begging him to carry me as my bare feet scream from the hot concrete.
Aside from the occasional rock, it’s better on the grass. I’m so consumed with trying to make sure I don’t rip my feet open, I barely register that Amy is waiting for us at the back glass door.
“Antoinette. You should know better.” She sighs, taking in my red skin.
I want to say, I know. But my head is throbbing and I’m too tired to defend myself.
“You need some aloe for your skin. I’ll put it in the bathroom.”
Before I can even say thank you, she’s down the hall. The music seems to get louder and the air kicks on. I need to think, but I can’t. I’m surrounded by bikers drinking, laughing. Are they friendly? I have no idea. They don’t look friendly—they look scary and mean.
Amy’s right. I’m sunburned. Why I thought I could go to a pool party and have fun is beyond me. Bella used to say the only time I ever felt at home was when I was dancing. Bella. I could use her tight hugs right about now. I miss her. I need to call her and give her my new number and I guess explain that I haven’t heard anything about our stuff or the apartment. I’ve been meaning to ask Axel, but it seems like I only remember after he’s gone.
“What happened to my stuff at the apartment? And the people who moved in there?” My voice is raspy from choking on the water and screaming.
Gentle hands raise my chin as I stare into the bluest eyes. How does he know that I’m at my breaking point? That I crave even the smallest amount of kindness?
“I took care of it.”
His thumb moves to my lips and he gently rubs them silent. Even as miserable as I am, my core clenches and my stomach flutters in response.
Like I’m addicted.
“You’re mine. That’s all you need to know.”
“But something will change. Frenchie said you fucked Roxy.” His eyes darken as he looks over my head at the people around us.
“What did I tell you last night?” he demands.
“That you are not…”
“Exactly. I won’t keep reassuring you. Trust me. You’ll know when I’m done.”
It’s not exactly what I want to hear, but besides telling him the truth, I guess I need to be quiet.
He cups my face and I close my eyes. Guess he’s giving me as much as he can.
Then he kisses me. It’s soft and tender and I almost sigh and throw my arms around him. But I don’t because the catcalling has started.
“Go upstairs and take a cool shower. I’ll be up to put the aloe on you. We can watch a movie and have Amy make us some dinner.”
“Really?” I sniff, because did he just say he was gonna watch a movie with me?
“Go on, baby. I need to talk to Blade and Crystal.”
My head is spinning. “Wait, do you want my side of it?”
He grins and I swear something is wrong with my heart. It flutters whenever he smiles.
“I think I can piece it together.”
I can’t breathe, can’t move. My skin feels like I have a fever, but it might be the way Axel makes me feel. I can’t explain it. He makes me feel alive and safe, and he sparks something in me that I’ve never experienced. I take a deep breath and let it go slowly.
Somehow, in all of this craziness, I’ve fallen in love with him.
It doesn’t matter if he’s good or bad. I’m like a starving artist who needs him to ignite everything inside me.
“Go upstairs, Antoinette. I’ll take care of it. Now, go.”AXELThe sound of Crystal screaming outside the door makes me want to turn around and go upstairs. I throw the door open to a pitiful Frenchie sitting in a chair, soaking wet and almost passed out.
