Chapter 13
Someone wakes me by running their fingers gently through my hair, the motion soothing enough that I almost fall back asleep.
“Hey, honey.”
I crack an eye open to find Johnny crouched beside my bed, his palm drifting over my scalp.
“Rise and shine. Time to kick some ass!”
I let out a small whine in protest the second he stops petting me.
“Nope,” he chuckles. “Come on. Time to get up.”
“Five more minutes,” I plead, burrowing deeper into the pillow.
He sighs dramatically, but leaves me be.
What feels like two seconds later, the thump of returning footsteps has my eyes flying open.
Johnny strolls back in, fully dressed for our workout, a blue toothbrush hanging from his mouth.
“Up. Now,” he demands, ripping the covers clean off.
I squeal, more from shock than cold. I’m sprawled on my stomach, wearing only an oversized t-shirt and a pair of cheeky black panties. The shirt has ridden up around my waist, and my butt is right there.
Johnny freezes. His eyes widen. His mouth drops open and his toothbrush hits the floor with a dull clack.
It would be comical if I wasn’t turning fifty shades of red. I scramble to tug the shirt down, but it’s too late. His eyes have already swept down my legs and back up again, lingering just a moment too long.
Snapping out of it, he grabs his toothbrush off the floor and bolts.
So. Training is going to be super fun.
∞∞∞
Johnny and Axel end up sparring today, which I’ve learned is just a polite word for trying to beat the crap out of each other. They trade blows with an intensity I feel in my bones, but I stay on the sidelines, cheering and heckling like it’s a paid event.
Somehow, it actually helps. The awkwardness fades, and things start to feel normal again.
Johnny upgrades me to the punching bag, and for once, I’m grateful for the outlet. I throw myself into it, each punch carrying anger, fear, grief. Each hit makes me feel a little lighter.
Ben gives me a fist bump when we’re done, and it’s silly, but it makes me proud.
After a quick shower and the fastest getting-ready routine known to man, I head downstairs, stomach growling. I somehow manage to beat Axel to breakfast and find Johnny alone in the kitchen.
Awesome.
I remind myself not to be awkward. Not to be embarrassed. It’s just a butt. He’s seen plenty. Probably.
I walk to the coffee pot with as much confidence as I can muster.
“Hey,” I say, grabbing a mug and filling it like I haven’t been replaying this morning on a loop in my head.
Johnny glances at me, does a double take, and slams his own cup down a little too hard. His eyes rake over me once, and then he exhales, dragging a hand over his stubbled face.
“Christ, Lina. Are you trying to kill me?”
Confused, I look down at myself. I’m in a baby-blue v-neck and a pair of white jean shorts. Hair in a messy bun. Barely-there makeup. It’s not like I’m dressed to impress.
“What?” I frown. “I literally threw this on.”
“You don’t even realize,” he mutters, shaking his head. “You have no idea how beautiful you are.”
Heat rushes to my cheeks.
“And that’s the worst part,” he adds, almost to himself. “You’re just being you. And you’re fucking perfect.”
My mouth pops open, totally unsure how to respond.
“Forget it. Forget I said anything,” Johnny groans. “It’s a me problem, not a you problem. You look gorgeous, honey. Have a great day.”
He presses a quick kiss to the top of my head and strolls out like he didn’t just scramble my brain.
I’m left standing there, mouth still hanging open, practically catching flies.
What the hell just happened?
Also, it hasn’t escaped my notice that he’s taken to calling me a pet name. Honey. I would be lying if I said I didn’t like it.
Thinking about the sudden shift in our dynamic gives me whiplash.
Needing some air with my caffeine, I transfer my coffee to a to-go thermos and grab a donut before heading to the front porch to wait for Axel. I don’t have to wait long.
“Let’s roll,” he says, as he saunters out the door.
He hums. The entire drive to school. I give him major side-eye.
No one is this happy in the morning. Especially not after the kind of night we both had.
The moment he parks, I leap from the car. But thanks to his stupidly long legs, he catches up fast and trails me like a human shadow all the way to my locker… while still humming.
“Axel, do me a huge favor and fuck off.”
He barks a laugh, completely unfazed. If anything, my irritation seems to fuel his amusement.
“Why’re you in such a foul mood, Princess?”
“Why’re you being so annoyingly happy?” I counter, arms crossed.
His smile turns positively devious. He leans in close, dropping his voice to a whisper that grazes my ear.
“Maybe it’s because I have a super-hot stepsister who wears tiny black lacy panties to bed.”
My gasp is audible. I smack his arm hard.
“Ouch!”
“You can’t say stuff like that!” I hiss, feeling my face catch fire.
“Why not?”
“Because people will get the wrong idea!”
“Wrong idea about what?” Jessie chimes in, appearing behind us.
I glare at Axel, threatening to dismember him with only my eyes. He grins.
“Lina’s on some antifungal crap for this nasty foot thing,” he blurts, and runs before I can strangle him.
“I do not have a nasty foot thing!” I whisper-yell.
Jessie cringes. “Yikes. Sorry I asked.”
“Not my business,” she adds, hands raised like she’s surrendering. “Anyway… I talked to Rachel. She really wants to apologize for yesterday. Will you eat lunch with us again so she can make it right?”
I hesitate. I really don’t want to talk to Rachel again, but I cave with a nod. Everyone deserves a second chance, right?
Jessie smiles. “Great! Oh, and don’t tell her I said this, but... Rachel’s been feeling kinda threatened in her relationship with Axel because of you. That’s why she acted like a bitch.”
Her words land like a sucker punch.
I zone out as Jessie continues talking, her voice becoming background noise.
Threatened?
I flash back to Axel’s comment about my underwear. The flirty grins. The tension. The winks. I’ve been telling myself that’s just how he is with everyone, but maybe it’s not. Maybe it’s just with me.
And if that’s the case, I’m the problem.
God. I feel like the biggest bitch.
I spend the entire morning in a fog. The guilt gnaws at me. I didn’t mean to be a threat to Rachel, but that doesn’t mean I’m not. Axel’s the one in the relationship. He should know better. But if I were in Rachel’s shoes? If my boyfriend was joking about another girl’s lingerie? I’d be crushed.
No wonder she hates me.
By lunchtime, I’m dragging my tray toward their usual table like a zombie. Axel and Rachel are already there, laughing together. She tosses her shiny, dark hair and smiles at him like he hung the moon.
She looks so happy. Like she belongs next to him.
And just like that, I hate myself all over again. No matter what I do, I attract attention from people I shouldn’t. What’s wrong with me?
“Can I talk to you?” I blurt, way too loudly, as I set my tray down. Four sets of eyes snap to me, but I’m only looking at one.
Axel stands without hesitation. I turn on my heel and head toward the courtyard, knowing he’ll follow.
Outside, the heat hangs thick in the air, but at least it buys us privacy. The courtyard’s deserted, and the massive oak tree in the center gives us enough cover to be out of sight. I pause behind it, gathering my thoughts.
“What’s going on? Are you okay?” Axel asks, brows drawn tight.
“I’m fine,” I snap, irritation rising. “The real question is, would your girlfriend be fine if she knew you were cracking jokes about my panties?”
“Girlfriend?” He has the nerve to look genuinely confused.
“Yes, girlfriend! Or did you conveniently forget about her while ogling me last night?”
He gapes… then bursts out laughing.
My blood boils. “This isn’t funny! God, you’re such an ass. You know what? I’ll just tell her myself and let you deal with the fallout.”
I spin on my heel, but he grabs my arm before I can escape.
“Lina, stop! Come on, bring that cute ass back here—”
“That! That’s exactly what I mean!” I whirl around to face him. “It’s not cool, Axel. And stop talking about my cute butt!”
His eyes light up like a Christmas tree.
“Oh my God,” he says, grinning wide. “You’re jealous.”
“I am not jealous! You’re a terrible boyfriend! Let go of me! I hate you!”
I tug at my arm, but he won’t release me.
“Lina, wait. Just talk to me.”
“I am trying to talk to you, but you won’t stop laughing at me!”
“Look at me.”
I don’t.
“Lina.” Gently, he tips my chin up with his fingers, and my eyes meet his. His voice is low now, serious. “Why are you so convinced I have a girlfriend? I swear to you I don’t. I’m not dating anyone.”
I search his face. There’s no sign of a lie. Either he’s a pathological liar, or… he’s telling the truth.
“Jessie said you and Rachel were together,” I say, trying to keep my voice even. “She said Rachel was rude yesterday because she sees me as a threat to your relationship.”
Axel groans. “Of course she did.”
“Explain.”
“I’m not dating Rachel. Never have, never will,” he says, holding my gaze. “I won’t lie, we hooked up a few times over the summer. I was upfront about it being casual, which she agreed to. But when she caught feelings and wanted more, I ended it.”
The words sting, even though I have no right to care. But something still doesn’t add up.
“Then why does Jessie think you’re still together?”
“I can only assume, but if Rachel told her we’re still a thing, Jessie’s going to believe her. They’re best friends.”
I chew that over. “Okay.”
“Okay?”
“Okay. And I wasn’t jealous, you conceited ass. Jessie made me feel like I was causing issues in your so-called relationship. It made me feel like shit.”
Axel’s expression softens. “I’m sorry you felt that way. Really. So… we good now?”
Before I can answer, a voice slithers in from behind us.
“Well, well. Look at the two lovebirds.”
Darren steps into view, and bile rises in my throat.
Jesus.