Chapter 4
Yeah, Scar, He's Like Super Old
If Axel Creed thinks that his flirting with Bambi will get a rise out of me, he's got another thing coming. I've got an arsenal of my own. Bet.
-Scarlett
Scarlett
I managed to escape having any classes with Axel last year.
But this is my first one. Why is that so nerve-racking for me?
Maybe because he's making me feel all the things, and I'm not too fond of that. It's almost as if he can see deep inside my soul or something like there’s a connection between us, something other than attraction. It’s extremely irritating.
Saturday night, I came harder than ever before.
The thought of which starts to make my panties soak, but I'm in a bitchy mood now, and I didn't sleep well last night with him beside me all night.
My mouth twists into a snarl as he whispers something close to Bambi's ear.
Then, he has the audacity to turn around and smirk at me afterward.
The fucker. Axel comes from money, like Daddy Warbucks from ‘Annie’ money.
And yes, not all rich people suck, but most of the ones in my limited acquaintance do.
He seemed okay, though, especially when his fingers made me come on top of that table.
It shouldn't be okay that he's stalked me and even has a key to my place. Who does that?
Looking down at my phone, I smile. It's my dad.
Daddy: Have a great day at school, baby girl.
Me: Thanks, daddy, I love you.
Daddy: Love you!
Daddy thought it would be best for me to take more than the core required for my Journalism major.
Against what I really wanted, I did him a solid and enrolled.
He doesn't think my dream of becoming the next Diane Sawyer will ever come to fruition.
I get it, he's a realist, which makes us clash because I'm a dreamer.
It has taken me years to realize it's my life, and it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks on the subject.
Even when that person is my dad. Just last week, he said, and I quote, “I believe in you, but I don't believe in the audience.
You're not skinny or pretty enough, sweetie.”
The text my daddy sent this morning is the man I grew up with.
The one who made that comment is the drunk he turns into every night after 5 p.m. He has only ever said that hurtful statement once, but it still stings like I got run over by my skanky cousin's Range Rover.
He's a good man, but he's also a functioning alcoholic, works all day and drinks all night.
Those words would have never come out of his mouth sober, but he meant it all the same.
Everyone knows that a drunk tongue is a sober mind.
He loves me, and in some weird way, he's just trying to protect me, but it's not needed or wanted.
Hearing a shrill, high-pitched giggle draws my attention back to Axel.
He better not be in any more of my classes because I'm liable to kill him.
He knows exactly what he's doing. Three times, our eyes have connected because he was staring at me first. Why?
Football gods don't stare at mere chunky mortals like they want to eat them.
And they don't make them come in libraries either.
Toby Maddison, the Longhorn's new pitcher, walks into the classroom.
That makes me smile my first genuine one of the day.
He's the funniest guy you will ever meet and unbelievably hot.
Toby's taken, and I'm not smitten, but hey, a girl can look.
He's become a good friend of mine. He's also rich but not a douchebag, unlike the one that's flirting with Bambi right in front of me.
I won't hold Toby's friendship with Axel against him.
They fist bump, and he nods at the bubbly cheerleader beside Axel.
I almost growl. Her name is Bambi, and her outfit may be illegal in some countries.
It leaves little to the imagination. My irritation is petty because she's actually kind of nice for someone who's in my cousin Janet's crew.
Maybe she knows and doesn't care that Axel is a lover of many and a keeper of none.
Oh, that's a good one. I take out my notebook because that sentence will be used in my next book.
No one knows that writing romance online is a passion of mine.
It's my dirty little secret. They almost always have smut in them.
Okay, more like always. Do you want kinks?
We've got it. Spice? Yes, please. But it's not just dirty, passionate sex.
My characters are like family to me. Constantly growing and building their slow-burn relationships in between all the drama.
It's the storyline for me, but also the smut.
“Louisiana! What's up, my friend?” Toby sits next to me, giving me a conspiratorial grin.
“Well, Georgia, not much these days. Just stylin' and profilin'. How's life since last semester?”
He laughs. “It's good, Lou! I took your advice and bought that movie collection for Karen's dad. He loves me now.”
I give him a high five. “That's what's up, my friend.”
“What movie collection was that?” A deep, sultry voice asks from in front of me.
Shit. I stiffen with every syllable said. Almost unwillingly, my eyes seek his. My voice catches in my throat, leaving me breathless.
Toby to the rescue. “All the Die-Hard movies, man!”
Axel looks back at me in surprise. Usually not one to be shy, I finally found my treacherous tongue. “Bruce Willis is a real man.”
Toby slaps my shoulder. “Do I detect a crush?”
“Umm...Yeah. I'd love nothing more than to call him Daddy.”
Bambi rolls her eyes. “Ew, Scarlett. He's like super old. Unlike you, Axel.” She laughs and runs a hand up and down his well-muscled bicep. Making me roll my eyes as he flexes. He gives me a smirk. “Yeah, Scar, he's like super old.”
I chuckle. “You say old, but all I heard was experienced. I never have to worry about games with an older man.” Winking at him, let’s see how giving him a dose of his own medicine tastes.
He's lethal. “Bambi, seems like we can’t invite Scarlett to the party later. She has no taste.”
Bambi beams back at him. “I don't think she'd want to go anyways. She just stays in her room and studies her young life away. Isn't that right, Scar?”
Smiling mischievously. “Yeah. Totes. And you can call me Scarlett.”
Axel laughs. Obviously, catching on to my sarcasm. He nods at me, then turns back around in his seat. Bastard. He wants to make me jealous. Well, the game is on.
Toby laughs under his breath. “They still don't know you moved out?”
“Not a clue, bro. You know my feelings on all things Janet. Living there was torture. A part-time job and a side gig here and there, and I live in this luxurious studio apartment off campus, haven't gotten robbed once, but it’s so expensive.”
We laugh, and my heart plummets to my feet after I notice Axel's shoulders moving slightly. Has he been listening to our conversation? I'm starting to believe I really am a nut job, and this is all in my head.
“My cousin, Dani, is moving across campus with Jake. She was going to have to pay both rents until we found another roommate. You game?”
Excited at the prospect, I blurt out, “Am I?? Please don't tease me, boy. How much is her part of the rent?”
“600 even.”
“Are you joking? You better not be joking! That's 600 cheaper than my studio, and the best part is I didn't have to sign a lease. Not to mention, I'm scared some psycho has a copy of my key.” Toby looks perplexed, but I smile so he thinks I'm joking. But totally not.
“Can you come by today and meet Sasha and Dani? It must be a unanimous decision, but you already have my vote.”
“Absolutely. I’m excited.”
Toby texts the girls to see if they can fit me into their schedule for an afternoon meeting. I'm working at Java Jerry's today after class. It's one of the best coffee places on campus. My tips are always good, and my coworkers are mostly cool.
Axel stares at me with a ghost of a smile hiding on his beautiful face.
The chiseled form of his stubbled jaw makes shadows dance up and down.
Drew Bates walks in the classroom door next.
My blank expression transforms into what I hope is a breathtaking smile.
Drew has always flirted with me, but he had a one-night stand with Janet our freshman year, and I wouldn't give him a chance.
He's on the baseball team with Toby. “Well, as I live and breathe, Drew Bates, are you following me?”
We had several classes together last semester, so he'll know what I'm referring to, but Axel, who is giving us both the death stare, won't. Drew seems like a great guy, and I feel a little guilty leading him on. If not for the whole Janet thing, I'd have totally gone on that date.
His dark brows arch in surprise, but it doesn't take him long to paste a panty-dropping smile on his angel-like face. “I'd follow you anywhere beautiful.”
I giggle because Drew is hot, and Axel is seething.
Toby looks on with curiosity. He's a gossip within his friend group.
He never tells outsiders, so it's only a matter of time before Axel's friends find out about this moment.
The look on Bambi's face is almost comical.
She can't believe both guys are only paying me attention.
Drew walks over to sit next to me, but Axel jumps up and climbs over his desk to our row and sits there instead.
Without even looking at me, he brings my desk to where it touches his.
Toby clasps his hand over his mouth to cover the laugh that comes out anyway.
There is an audible gasp that fills the room.
My eyes are wide as saucers, and Axel puts his arm around the back of my chair.
I smile sheepishly at Drew in apology. He smiles back and walks to the other side of the room. Axel parts my hair over to the side and whispers in my ear. “Was that necessary?”
I scoff at his arrogance, trying to ignore the goosebumps his being this close does to my body. “I don't know. Why don't you ask Bambi?”
He laughs. “My flirting with her was uncalled for, but I wanted you to realize how you’re not answering me last night made me feel.”
The Alphahole! He makes me grit my teeth so hard I'm scared they'll break because he’s flipping insane. “We’re not in a relationship, Axel. We can both do what we want.”
His jaw clenched, but he doesn't say anything else.
Surprisingly, Public Speaking goes by in a flash.
Even though I'm hyperaware of the Adonis beside me, our first assignment will be an easy one.
We have to give a maximum of a two-minute talk on why we chose our major.
I wouldn't even have to write my first speech if rambling wasn't in my DNA.
Before Axel can stop me, I bolt from my seat and get the hell away from my obsessed stalker.
Living off campus has its perks until it doesn't. Changing into my work uniform in the disgusting public bathroom is not my favorite, and I always feel so unclean after doing that, but what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I clocked into work with seconds to spare.
“How busy will we be tonight, Scarlett?” Jared, my best friend, asks casually, but I know better.
Looking around the cafe and in the parking lot, we are pretty dead when usually it’s packed around this time.
Jared and I take daily bets on the busyness of the day, and at the end of the month, the one with the most correct guesses wins that money, baby!
Jared and I are tied 10-10. Whoever guesses right tonight will get that $100 pot!
I could use that money for the new apartment.
“I say 30-40 people by the end of the shift. What do you say, Jared?”
He places two fingers on his temples, and he hums, which makes me laugh. Jared is my soulmate bestie. Every person has one, and he is mine. He opens an eye when he hears me laugh. “Quiet girl, I'm channeling my inner psychic.”
I pinch him hard. “Stop lollygagging. Don't be nervous; you can win next month, but that money is mine tonight.” He pinches me back. “Ouch!”
He smiles in victory. “Okay. Okay. I say 45-60 before 5:00.”
I give him a look of disdain. “Hell, I hope not. It's the beginning of the semester. Our professors will already try to kill us this week. We don't need customers to do it, too.”
He grins like a Cheshire. My gaze follows him to the parking lot.
A look of horror crosses my face and seconds later, a busload of high schoolers rush in.
I forgot that today was when the local high school seniors visited our campus to see if the University of Texas was right for them.
Shit. I give him a look that would make an average man squirm. That money was almost mine.
“Now, Scarlett, you behave, or I'll tell Mr. Hot Construction Worker Man you want to have his babies.” Jared chides.
My eyes widen. “You wouldn't?”
“Oh, I would, bestie. Besides, inquiring minds need to know. I can't get his vibe right. Is he gay? Straight? Bi? But for real, the first and third options work best for me.”
Rolling my eyes to the ceiling. “Shut up! Stop trying to get in my future baby daddy's pants.”
He waggles his perfect eyebrows at me, and we get to work. We're tired by the end of our shift. I can't tell you how many times we had to hold on because some stupid customer wanted to look up what they should order on TikTok first! I love and hate the app.
I change back into my clothes, and Jared walks me to Toby's.
His apartment is right down the hall from theirs.
Living this close to each other would be a dream come true.
He kisses me on the forehead, and we wave goodbye to each other.
I look back to laugh at something Jared says but slam into a wall instead.
Damn. And said wall is fully loaded with abs and strong arms that have enough power to steady a curvy girl with ease.
Mr. Hot Construction Worker Man, who? I swallow hard and chance a glance at the brick wall's face, and for the second time today, Axel Creed's beautiful caramel eyes have captivated me.