Most of the customers today were too absorbed in their plates to realize they had half a dozen different servers throughout their meal,based on who was composed enough to work the tables. We were all pretty shaken up with the recent news.
“Kinda hard to miss when literally everyone at the bar looks depressed. I’ve never seen anything like it.” He chews on his lip like he’s running through his memories, searching for one that isn’t there.
I force the emotion from my mind so I can answer. “One of our friends passed today. Plane crash.”
The words are barely out of my mouth before I’m swallowed by his strong arms. I didn’t even see him move, he was just suddenly there, and it’s only when he’s supporting my weight that I realize how close I was to collapsing.
This is far from the first hug I’ve received today, but it’s the first where someone else is comforting me, and after a long day of putting on a brave face… My body sinks into his hold as I wrap my arms around his waist, relinquishing control for the first time in too many years to count.
With that realization comes the tears, something that would normally freak me the fuck out because I don’t rely on anyone to take care of me. Ever. Yet right now, I’m too exhausted to panic. Plus, Axel’s hug feels like the sun in the middle of a moonless night.
“I’m so sorry.” His lips move against my hair. “Were you close?”
“Everyone here is close,” I mumble. “This is where Chase grew up. He worked for me in high school." I take a shuttered breath. "His brother still lives here. They were both supposed to be on the same flight but for some reason Ryder changed plans at the last minute, otherwise we’d have lost him too. I can’t imagine how hard this is for him.” My voice cracks before I can continue, so I give up on trying to speak and let myself get lost in his soothing embrace.
The ache in my chest fades slightly as Axel’s hand rubs up and down my spine, and even though he’s not supposed to be a comforting presence, I'm glad he's here.
“Come on, let’s get you home. Hand me your keys.”
I fish them from the pocket of my cargo-style capris and drop them into his waiting hand. He follows me around to the passenger side and opens the door so I can climb in. The chivalrous deed brings a slight smile to my lips.
“It’s just a few blocks. Make a right out of the lot,” I tell him as he takes the driver’s seat, adjusting it for his slightly longer legs.
“You live a few blocks away and drive to work?” His playful grin tells me he’s trying to cheer me up. It won’t work, though I appreciate the gesture.
“I drove from your place this morning, and you’re more than a few blocks away.”
“So you did,” he says softly as he turns onto the road.
When he pulls up to my house I get out and walk inside without bothering to see if he follows. Somehow, I know he will, despite the fact the evening isn’t going to go the way he planned.
I kick off my shoes the second I’m inside, heading straight for the couch. Everything afterward is a blur. Sitting down, hugging a pillow, staring at the carpet… I have no memory of any of it, seeing only a cloudy, unfocused blur until a shadow forces me to look up. Blinking away the haze, Axel stands above me with a glass of wine and a tender smile on his handsome face.
“I’m assuming you like this since I found it in your cupboard.”
I stare at his figure, dazed and unmoving. He stretches out his arm, though it takes me a few more seconds and another bout of blinking before I take the glass and robotically bring it to my lips, right as a faint thump catches my attention.
“What’s that noise?” Somehow, I manage not to jostle the wine.
“The washer.” Axel takes a seat next to me, slinging an arm over the back of the couch.
“Did I spill something?” I look around for evidence of an accident, though nothing seems out of place.
“No. Your hamper was full.”
“You’re doing my laundry?” I rub my brow, trying to push away the fog. “Why?”
“You said it had to get done.” I see him lift his shoulder from my peripheral.
“I did?”
“Yes. This morning.” He sips from his own glass. “I figured you must’ve forgotten about it.”
“I… yeah.” I give my head a quick shake to clear it.Is this really happening? The guy I’m screwing around with is doing my laundry because I casually mentioned it had to get done?
The air is quiet for a moment as we sip our wine.
“Is this the first person you’ve lost?” Axel sets his glass on the coffee table and leans back against the couch, watching me closely.
