Page 32 of Wallflower No More

Axel stands by the wall. His face is impassive. Did he hear me say that I was smitten? A knock sounds at the door, jarring us from the staring contest we were just in. Hector calls out. “Scarlett, Brody's here to see you.”

Axel seethes, and I don't know what to do. Because what the fuck? Does Brody have a death wish? He just keeps showing up everywhere.

Chapter 19

The Meeting

Everything Fearless 24/7

Brody McDougall has balls the size of watermelons. You heard it here first. We all know by now how Axel feels about Scarlett, and he keeps butting into their relationship. Click below for the on-the-scene pictures from tonight's argument.

Scarlett

Trying to reach Axel before he gets to Brody proves futile. Grabbing his arm soothes the ticking in his jaw but doesn't de-escalate the situation at all. Brody takes a step back outside with his hands up. Axel follows him out, not quite in his face, but close. “Why are you here, McFucker?”

Closing my eyes and pressing my lips together because I know this isn't going to end well. Brody is extremely book smart, but apparently, he has the common sense God gave a turnip. “I'm not here to see you, asshole. I'm here to see her. Scarlett, can we have a moment alone, please?”

Axel gets in his face now. “Nope.”

Brody doesn't back down. “Fine. I want to shout it from the rooftops anyway. Scarlett, forgive my stupidity. I didn't see you for the prize you were. He can't treat you the way I will. Please, come with me.”

My eyes almost bug out of my head. Axel turns to look at me, but my gaze is on Brody, and I shake my head at him. “You had your chance. We'll always be friends, but I'm with Axel now.”

Brody's face falls. “If I could just get you alone to explain everything, you would feel differently.”

Rubbing Axel's arm, I get in between them. Brody doesn't know this simple act of kindness spared his life. “Anything you say to me can be said in front of Axel.”

Brody's barely contained annoyance turns to anger in an instant. “What happened to you, Scarlett? You're not the same girl. Axels turned you into his lapdog. He doesn't care about you.”

Axel pushes me behind him, but I put myself back in front and center. Has he always been this condescending? “Me? You mean, what the hell is wrong with you? You're just mad Ax saw me when you didn't.”

“That's right, McJackass, you lost the best thing that will never happen to you, and don't you fucking ever talk to her like that again.” Axel fumes behind me.

Brody looks away in disgust. Axel gets in front of me and punches him in the mouth. Blood oozes from his busted lip while he looks at me with hatred. “Fuck you, Axel. You'll regret this.”

Axel puts his arm around me. “The only thing you should regret is letting this one get away.”

My insides melt at his sweet words, and to think that I ever wanted anything to do with Brody McDougall is a travesty. Axel sees me, and I hug him, my way of saying thank you, because those words are too hard to voice. Brody really is a McJackass.

My phone pings with a message from my informant. She's sketched out and wants to move the meeting up. Axel takes my hand, and we say our goodbyes. We arrive at my editorial office and wait. He gets on a computer to do homework, and I do the same on mine. A knock sounds outside, making me almost jump out of my skin. Axel laughs at me, goes into Brad's office, and closes the door quietly behind him. This is my first confidential meeting since becoming the editor, which is a big flipping deal. Hopefully, this will pan out and be a big story for us.

“Come in.” I nervously say.

A cute girl with orange-red hair and freckles walks into the room. Shaking her hand, I pull a chair out for her to sit in. She's nervous, her skin pale with dark circles under her eyes, making my heart ache for this girl. Something terrible has happened to her. “Let me start by saying thank you for taking this meeting. I've told my story to the school, and nobody wants to help me.” A tear slipped down her sunken face. “I don't expect you to be different, but I thought I needed to try. You're my last hope. Jenson Wright raped me on Halloween night last fall.”

Bile rises up my throat. My face gives nothing away, but the nauseousness overtakes my body. “I'm sorry that happened to you. What should I call you?”

“I'm going to give you my real name because I'm tired of hiding the fact that I was hurt. My name is London Jameson.” She smiles cruelly, the kind that only someone who's been through something can do. I shake her hand and introduce myself. All I want to do is hug her.

“London, I'm sorry to ask this, but I need details, any information you can give me. I believe you, but a thorough investigation must be done.”

She looks at me with disbelief. “You're serious?”

“Of course. I will help in any capacity that I can.”

“Scarlett, you need to know that your life could be in danger after I tell you my story.” There's nothing like your life possibly being in danger to get the heart rate up.

“I don't care. Your story needs to be told. I'll take my chances. May I record or film this?” My palms turn sweaty.