Page 46 of Ravaged By Lust

Fuck.

“This is not a joke, right? You’re not going to kill me for daring to say her name?”

“No, Bishop, I’m not planning on killing you for talking about my little sister. Yet.”

I take in a deep breath. We’ve not spoken about his little sister for a very long time, so this is clearly coming from his heart, and I know how hard it is for Axel to speak emotionally. Hell, a few months ago he was a worse playboy than even Drake, known for his Active Axel nickname and partying personality. But then Maddie entered the picture and changed the man into a better version of himself. He had been living a life that was empty, but then Maddie showed him the truth.

And now he wants to talk about Chloe.

And he wants me to actually fucking talk to her.

“That’s what I’m trying to do,” I tell my best friend. “But, in case you didn’t know, she hates me. She’s made that very clear.”

Axel raises an eyebrow. “Really?”

“Yes, really.”

“I know my own sister, Bishop. I know she’ll give you one more chance, even if she won’t admit it herself. She still likes you, trust me.”

“I doubt it.”

Axel smiles and shakes his head. “Oh, she does. She’s just not going to give in easily. She’s a strong girl who knows herself and her boundaries, but are you the man who gives up at the first sign of pushback? Really? You?”

“No, I’m not,” I reply forcefully. “I never give up.”

“So, Bishop, you know what you have to do, then. You’re just really gonna have to work for her. Let’s talk about this outside. I want to speak to you in private, away from prying eyes.”

Oh shit.

15

SEVEN YEARS AGO

CHLOE

I can’t bear it anymore.

I need to tell Axel.

This illusion that Bishop and I are pulling over my brother’s eyes can only last for so long before he finds out one way or another, and if Bishop doesn’t want to tell him, then I will. The idea of it is eating me up. He needs to know, and it needs to come from me, before he discovers things for himself and it all gets ugly.

I take in a deep breath and try to calm myself as I stand in front of my brother’s door. I build up enough courage to knock. Axel has his bedroom door already open, but I want to get his attention before I stumble in.

I can see my brother. He’s got his headphones on, listening to music as he plays on his bass guitar. He’s been practicing all the time, and I can hear the improvement. The man eats, sleeps, and breathes music. It’s kinda cute how we share the same passion. It makes us close, but also causes the biggest arguments. We are so alike that we’re light flames burning each other.

He spots me standing awkwardly in his doorway. Axel removes his headphones and blinks at me.

“Chloe?”

“Can we talk?” I ask him, so much more formally than we ever are.

“Sure. Take a seat.”

I sit down on the only available seat. His bed. Suddenly, I don’t know what to do with my hands. I’m so nervous that I’ve become super self-conscious. I place them in my lap, squeezing my fingers together. Axel doesn’t seem to notice my bubbling anxiety.

“How’s the audition prep for Drake’s band going?” I ask him.

Axel nods. “Yeah, good. Just perfecting everything.”