Chapter 10
Move-in Day
There's nothing like seeing the single members of the Fearless Five fighting over a curvy cutie! Choose wisely, Scarlett, dear. Either way, they'll wind up breaking your heart.
Axel
Waking up to my alarm, which I've snoozed seven times already is brutal because sleeping in the bed with Scarlett was...
fuck me...amazing. Never cuddled all night with anyone before, and no alcohol was involved.
The wonderful smell of vanilla and honey hit my nose, making me inhale deeply.
My dick twitches and I realize I have to get the fuck out of this bed before I find myself on top of this girl.
There's no time for that now because when that finally happens, it'll be an all-day and night type of thing.
Everything about Scarlett has me questioning myself.
What the hell is wrong with me? Axel Creed doesn't do sleepovers, he doesn't do girlfriends, and he sure as hell doesn't snuggle.
He stalks and fucks and fights. I'm not even disgusted or upset by this new turn of events.
I've always said only pussy's (especially Jake) get into committed relationships, but maybe I get it now.
Scarlett makes me want it all. The picket fence, the van, the dog.
Hell, everything. She's too weary of what my intentions are right now, so I know I'll have to prove myself first.
My grin widens because I can't wait to call Captain The Jack Ryan a pussy at practice this morning. He can't call me one because Scarlett and I haven't gone public yet, but everyone will know and soon enough.
We were both so tired last night and didn't go over what each of us expected from one another.
Scarlett is the one who wanted to do this, so we will.
Negotiations will start tonight, and I want everything laid out so I don't fuck this up.
She's important to me. The anger that consumes me fades away when I'm with her.
***
Axel is acting ten shades of shady. Has he changed his mind? He did fall in the mud to save me. I guess there's that.
-Scarlett
Waking up to a text from Sasha is a pleasant surprise.
My hand roams over to the spot Axel slept in.
The sheets are cold from his absence, and I’m reminded of how he held me all night long.
His iron grip never once loosened from around me.
My heart swells at the thought, and I jump up because that can't happen.
He's probably held a hundred girls just like that.
Blaze and I only slept together a handful of times, and we never slept over.
That was a rule and a good one because neither of us caught feelings.
My phone pings, bringing a smile to my face. Maybe it's Axel.
Sasha: Hey! This is Sas. We were wondering what time you think you'll be here. Also, please come out with us tonight.
I don't answer her about going out yet because I'm supposed to hang out with Axel tonight.
Me: Hey, girl! I'm so excited to be roommates.
My best friend Jared walks in like he has a score to settle. Bribing him with a free meal works every time, and I desperately needed help moving. Raising my eyebrow at him, “You ever heard of knocking?”
“You ever heard of locking your front door?” He puts his hands on his hips.
I flip him off. “Rude.”
My attention goes back to the box I'm packing. This place came fully furnished, and my work and school schedule leaves little time for shopping. Not to mention, I'm cheap, so I don’t have a lot of things. With the decrease in rent at my new place, I'm about to be banking!
My phone goes off again.
Sasha: You sure you don't need any help?
Me: I'm sure! Thanks again. Ttyl
Sasha: Remember tonight! Ttyl
Me: Okay, if I bring my best friend?
Sasha: Totes
Putting my phone down, I smile sweetly at Jared. “Best friend, I appreciate you so much. Also, we've been invited to hang out with my new roomies tonight. You down?”
He gives me a devilish grin. “On two conditions.”
I roll my eyes. This ought to be good. “Let's have it.”
He holds his finger up. “One, you name your firstborn after me and not your future baby daddy, Axel “Rabies” Creed. No niece or nephew of mine will have anything to do with that. And two, you let me make you look fabulous tonight.”
Throwing a plastic cup at his head makes me smile. “Umm...geez. That’s tough. I've always wanted to name my firstborn Rabies. However, on the second condition, why not?” He squeals and runs over to hug me. “Does my agreeing to let you make me over cancel out the free meal I owe you?”
He gets an attitude. For him to be so fit, homeboy loves to eat. “Nice try, but no, it doesn't. You will feed me. Don't forget, Scar, because I want all the tacos.”
We load my old 1984 Smurf blue box Chevy truck to the brim along with Jared's charger.
Taking one last look at my old apartment, it wasn't much, but it was the first thing I ever paid for on my own.
My work ethic and drive to do better have helped me accomplish so much, and fingers crossed, it's only uphill from here.
Starting my engine and feeling sentimental, I drive down the dirt road toward my new home.
On our way to the new place, Jared got his car stuck in the mud. The unseasonable amount of rain we’ve gotten lately didn’t help the cause, plus it’s a dirt road to the new place. “Toby has a truck, let me call him and see if he can help us.”
Hey Toby!
Hey girl, when are you coming?
Well....we've hit a bit of a snafu.
What's up?
Jared's helping me move, and his car got stuck on the dirt road. I hate to ask, but do you think you might be able to help?
You don't ever have to hate asking me for help, Lou. Hit me with the address.
Thanks, Toby! We owe you one.
No problem.
I ping him our location, and we sit on my tailgate and wait and before we know it, two truckloads of people pull up.
The whole gang is here—all the Fearless boys, Toby, Dani, and Sasha.
Axel wastes no time jumping out of the truck and jogging up to greet us.
His dark, long, golden blonde hair is pulled back in a bun at the nape of his neck.
It's my favorite way he wears his hair. His tight black tank leaves nothing to the imagination, and his army green basketball shorts look good on his butt.
The clenching of his jaw alerts me to him being mad about something. But what?
I have no makeup on, my outfit consists of an old pair of leggings and an old ratty shirt, and my hair is piled on top of my head. Saying I'm mildly self-conscious right now is an understatement. Axel raises his eyebrows at us while I smile up at him.
Since I don't read mixed signals, my butt jumps off the tailgate, and my legs walk past him without acknowledging his existence.
Why was he just standing there staring? We didn't specify when our fake dating fiasco would begin.
Without even sparing him another glance, I walk up to Sasha and Dani and hug them.
Jaxon Williams saunters up and gives me a once-over. I laugh. “Can I help you?”
“Yes, beautiful. Can I have your number? I seem to have misplaced mine.” He smirks.
This boy! Oh, but he's really a man. Well, over six feet tall, lean muscle, a beautiful smile, just beautifully masculine.
I take his outstretched hand, and he brings my knuckles up for a chaste kiss, making me giggle. Okay, I see you, Jaxon.
Hector Rodriguez pushes Jaxon out of the way. “Stop hogging her bro!”
Jaxon almost falls on his face but manages a narrow escape with his dignity intact. Hector pulls his cap off and bows. “Please to meet you, ma'am.”
I curtsy. “The pleasure is all mine, I'm sure.”
“So, you want to hang out with-” Axel comes out of nowhere and slaps a handful of mud on Jaxon's shirt before he can get the rest of the sentence out.
If jealousy were a person, it would be Axel Creed.
He turns his muddy hand toward me, making me scream like a girl.
Running away from him was not my best move because he, of course, chases after me.
I trip over a stump, taking him down with me.
He wraps his arms around me and positions us to where I land on top of him.
Mortified. Shocked. Scandalized. All the things. Recovering quickly, I try to escape him, but he holds me still. “Umm....thanks for the save.”
He smiles. “You're welcome.”
“I'm sorry you’re all muddy now.” I give him a sheepish grin.
Axel takes his hand and smears mud on my cheek. “It's okay. Now you are, too.” I could get used to this playful side of Axel.