Chapter 6
Chapter
Six
“Spill it,” Harmony orders as I talk with her over the phone the next morning while I wolf down a bowl of cereal. “Did you get anything on Axel that we can use?”
I hurriedly chew and swallow. “Well, he volunteers at a soup kitchen.”
“Really? That doesn’t sound like the self-centered Axel we know.”
Guilt splashes over me. She means the Axel that Jovie Chord, aka me, villainized.
Even though I think of Harmony as more of one of those friends who can be super annoying and pushy, she’s my boss.
It wouldn’t be good for her to regard me as a hack journalist who’s been writing stories without verifying the facts.
I was just so sure that I knew the type of person Axel was.
I didn’t feel it necessary to do any deeper digging.
Now, my shortsightedness … err, grudge is coming back to haunt me.
I scramble for a way to navigate this. “Actually, he funds the soup kitchen and outreach center.” I don’t know what the situation is with the man Axel was asking about at the soup kitchen.
There may be a story there, but I’m not ready to mention that to Harmony. Not until I found out more.
“He funds a soup kitchen? That’s unexpected.”
“Yes.”
Long pause. “Have you found out anything about his split from the band?”
“Not yet.”
She takes in a breath. “Well, keep at it.” Her voice lifts. “On a brighter note, I’m working the story from another angle and hope to have some info soon.”
I bunch my brows. “What angle?” I don’t like the idea of Harmony going around me.
“Do you remember Rachel King?”
“No, I don’t think so. Is she from Mt. Pleasant?”
“She is. Rachel and I were cheerleaders together. She’s been dating Max Wilson.”
Max is the only other member of the band from Mt. Pleasant. He and Axel have been tight ever since high school. In fact, they started the band together. I have to admit—I’m impressed with Harmony’s ingenuity. Max would be a great source.
“I’m hoping Rachel can give me some details about what happened.
I contacted her through Facebook. When I didn’t hear back, I tracked down her mom, who gave me Rachel’s number and told me she’s on a Caribbean Cruise with some of her work friends.
I called, but she didn’t answer, so I sent her a text and am waiting to hear back. ”
“Is Max on the cruise with her?”
“I’m not sure. Rachel’s mother didn’t say.”
“Okay.” I chew the inside of my cheek. “Let me know what you find out.”
“Will do.” As I end the call, the scope of my predicament twists my stomach. I’m a professional and have set out to do a job. I can’t let my emotions cloud my judgement.
It’s good that Axel and I didn’t kiss. I have to keep reminding myself of this.
However, I don’t know if I necessarily believe it.
Maybe if we had, then I could finally put this ridiculous childhood crush to bed once and for all.
Now, I’m hung up on the What if. What if the kiss had been a dud?
Or what if it had been as incredible as I imagined back when I was stupidly na?ve and thought myself to be hopelessly in love with Axel … err, Seth?
It's not like I’ve been pining away for Seth since high school.
I thought I had moved on. And then when I got the job at The See, I was trying to figure out which path Jovie Chord should take.
As it so happened, I had recently dumped my boyfriend at the time because I discovered on Valentine’s Day that he was a low-down, cheating jerk.
He claimed he was sick and couldn’t go to dinner.
Dumb me, I bought his lie—hook, line, and sinker.
I took him some chicken noodle soup and a loaf of sourdough bread, only to find him snuggled up on the couch with his coworker, who was giving him a thorough tonsil inspection, if you know what I mean.
I dumped the soup on his head and tromped home in a steaming ball of fury.
When I got on my computer, an article about Axel happened to pop up.
All of my past frustration came to a head, and suddenly, I had my new favorite subject to write about.
And I haven’t felt a smidgen of guilt about any of it.
Until now …
I’ll be glad when I can get the scoop on this stupid story and move on.
Axel is messing with my head in a big way.
How will it be to face him today? Will he act strangely?
Axel is so dedicated to his craft. I hate the idea of leaving him in the lurch for the benefit.
If my mom knew what I was doing, she’d chew me out.
Mom has ingrained in me the importance of always finishing what I start.
Gah! That’s just not possible this time.
I guess I could go incognito in some sort of ridiculous disguise.
Would Axel go for us dressing up as Santa and his elf? I highly doubt it.
When I get to Axel’s house, there’s a Porsche SUV in the driveway. I go inside to find Axel and Bianca at the kitchen table, talking like old friends. Meanwhile, Consuela and Diego are hard at work on the next tree.
“Good morning,” Axel says with a broad smile.
“Hey.” I throw a glance at Bianca, wondering how this will go down. She obviously knows I haven’t been wrapping lights on trees. I’m surprised she’s not springing up to claw my eyes out.
My distress must show on my face because Axel jumps in to explain. “I told Bianca how you stepped in to help with the benefit. And how I brought Consuela and Diego in so we wouldn’t lose traction on decorating for the party. It’s working out well for everyone.”
“Yes, that certainly seems to be the case.” Bianca gives Axel such a cheerful smile that I relax a fraction.
Disaster averted … at least for now. She rises to her feet.
“I should get going.” The corners of her mouth turn down in sympathy as she studies Axel.
“How are you holding up with Zoe being gone? I’m sure you miss her terribly. ”
Axel rubs his neck. “Yeah, but I’m used to it. She travels a lot.” He pauses. “Truth be told, London and I’ve been so busy getting ready for the benefit that I haven’t had time to think about anything else.”
It’s all I can do not to grin. At least he’s not thinking about Zoe. That’s a good sign.
The edges of Bianca’s eyes tighten. “Well, I’m glad you have something to occupy your time. Talk to you soon, darling.” She leans over and gives Axel a peck on the cheek. I expect her to walk past me, but she pauses. “I need to talk to you in private.”
“Is everything okay?” Axel gets to his feet.
“Everything’s fine,” Bianca says breezily. “I just need a moment with my employee. To talk about plans for the trees once the lights are up.”
“Maybe you should give the instructions to Consuela instead,” Axel suggests.
Bianca flicks her manicured hand. “No need for that. London can handle it.” She saunters out, high heels tapping against the tile.
I shift my feet. “Um, I should probably go and talk to her.”
“Want me to referee?” A lopsided grin tugs at his lips.
I grunt in partial amusement. “I think I can handle it.”
“I’ll be here when you get back.”
I chuckle. “Something to look forward to.”
He blinks in surprise and then laughs. “I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or an insult.”
“I’ll let you figure it out.” I throw him a wink.
The chemistry between us is just as strong today as it was last night.
Maybe even more so. Why does he have to look so dang good with his tousled hair and the fine layer of stubble across his chiseled jaw?
Even in a plain, long-sleeved t-shirt and jeans he’s a heartthrob.
“Are you hungry?”
“I could eat.” My parents accuse me of having a hollow leg because I like my food.
“I’ll make us some breakfast. Don’t stay outside too long. It’s cold out there.”
“I won’t.” The shorter my conversation with Bianca, the better. The minute I step foot outside the door, Bianca jumps on my case. “How dare you!”
It didn’t take long for her nice girl mask to slip. “How dare I what?”
“You pawned off your work on those cleaning people.” She flings her hand at the closed door.
My spine goes stiff. “Those cleaning people have names. Consuela and Diego are doing an excellent job—much better than I could ever do.”
“I won’t argue with you there,” she scoffs.
A streak of red blazes across my eyes as my temper flares hot. “What’s the problem? The job’s getting done the way Axel wants. Everything will be done in plenty of time for the party … if that’s what you’re worried about.”
She gets up in my face. “What I’m worried about is how Zoe will react when she realizes that you’re cozying up with her boyfriend while she’s off working.”
The nerve of this woman! “I’m not cozying up with anyone. Axel asked me to help with the benefit, and that’s exactly what I’m doing.”
“You’re trying to steal him away from Zoe.”
A hard laugh riddles my throat. “Where in the world did you get that idea?” Okay, right before I drifted off to sleep last night, I might’ve allowed myself to fantasize about what it would be like to be with Axel, but there’s no way she could know that.
“From Axel.” Spit flies from her mouth. A droplet lands on my cheek.
Gross! I rock back, wiping my face. “What did Axel say?”
“It wasn’t what he said, but the way he spoke of you.”
“Really?” A ribbon of pleasure twirls through me. I’m finally on Axel Cox’s radar.
She shakes her head in disgust. “Don’t look so happy about it.”
“Happy about what?” It’s better to play dumb in these types of situations. Not that I find myself in them often. Okay, this is a first, but who’s counting?
“I should’ve never agreed to this,” she fumes. “When Axel realizes that I allowed a reporter into his home, he’ll never trust me again.” She wrings her hands, eyes bulging. “This is a disaster. I should march back in there and tell Axel the truth right now, before this gets any worse.”