Page 18 of Wallflower No More

-Axel

The fact that she called Toby to help her move proves that she doesn't trust me yet. It pissed me off at first, but as soon as she landed on me in the mud, all that anger melted away. I could stare at her for hours and never get my fill. After putting on my jeans and a fitted black dress shirt, a knock sounds at my door. “What's up?”

Jaxon and Hector slide in, both giving me mischievous grins. My favorite two idiots. “Yes, boys?”

Jaxon folds his arms. “We're men. But whatever. Why are you acting strange?”

Hector mimics his folded arms. “What he said.”

I shrug. “I'm not.” But I am.

Hector smirks. “Hey, Jaxon. Let's move to plan B.”

Jaxon nods. “So, Hector, you think Axel will care if I ask Scarlett to hang out tonight?” In the back of my mind, I know they are just baiting me, but one hand grabs his shirt, and the other one rears back to knock the hell out of Jaxon. He holds his hands up in defeat but can't speak because he's laughing so hard. They both are. Fuck. My vision clears, and the jealous fit of rage is gone. “Sorry, man, but don't say shit like that to me.”

He clamps his hand on my shoulder. “It's okay, bro. She's just gotten under your skin. Not that it matters, but we approve.”

I fist bump both of my brothers. “Thanks, man, and it does matter. Y'all are my family.”

Chapter 12

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Everything Fearless 24/7

Uh-oh, Scarlett, it looks like you've made an enemy out of Bambi. You better watch out. She may be tiny, but we've heard she's vicious when vexed. I can't wait to watch this forthcoming shit show. What team are you on? I am yet to be determined.

Axel

“You go to a lot of these parties?” Scarlett asks quietly. She's been acting different. Has she changed her mind? Fuck that. I'll get her to change it back.

But at least she's talking to me right now. “Oh yeah. All of them, really. I believe in working hard and playing even harder. How about you?”

“I've gone maybe three or four times.” She's turned toward the window. I don't like that she's turned away from me.

I'm not known for my subtlety. “Why are you acting weird?”

She amuses me as she gives me a side-eye. “I'm not. You are. Are you regretting our agreement?”

I scoff and answer honestly, although the agreement she's talking about has an expiration date, and mine ends in forever. “Hell no.”

“Then why have you avoided me all day?” She asks.

“I didn't.” But she's not wrong. I needed a little bit of distance. Scarlett scares the hell out of me. She picks up her phone and shows me her messages. My eyes catch on a long-ass thread she's got with a guy named Blaze—no need to show my possessive, crazy-ass side any more than I already have, though. I'll break into her phone later. The thought makes me cringe, but not knowing will drive me up the wall, and asking her straight out is out of the question.

“Yeah, okay.” That is all she says.

We pull up to the rink, and she jumps out and heads towards the group before we even come to a complete stop. It's like Scarlett can't get away from me fast enough. To the left of me, someone whistles and then yells her name. My heart pounds in my chest. Fucking Brody McDougall. My fist tightens into balls at my side. Hitting him will only piss her off and drive the awkward wedge even further between us. My teeth grind together, because for the second time in as many days, she lands in his outstretched arms. “Brody!” She smiles.

***

Axel is the perfect fake boyfriend. He's attentive and actually listens when I talk. This could be dangerous.

-Scarlett

Brody finally lets me go, and for once, it's nice to see him as the friend he's always been and not the guy who broke my heart. I'm over Brody McDougall. “It's so good to see you again.” He puts his arm around me, and I introduce him to all my new people. Most of them know him already. Axel is glaring at his arm, and at any minute, his temper could blow. Axel finally looks at me with a raised eyebrow, beyond confused. Mine raises right back.

Not wasting any time, Axel comes to stand beside me. “Scarlett, we need to talk for a minute?”