Chapter 31
Blazed
Holy hell, Batman. When will these jokers learn Axel Creed does not play about his lady? Blaze Atwater, was it worth it? With the way you were limping afterward, we're thinking not.
Scarlett
My friend Blaze said he would text me when his team arrived at their hotel. He's asked me to meet him for breakfast, and I've accepted. I've not broached the subject with Axel yet because his possessive alpha hole self will probably shit a brick after I say the words—deep cleansing breaths.
I'm currently straddled across his back, giving him a massage. No time to deliver bad news then when you're giving a loved one a massage. The words tumble out like they have diarrhea. "So, babe, you know my friend Blaze is coming, and he's asked me to go out with..."
He flips me on my back so fast I don't know which way is up. "Over my dead fucking body, Scarlett."
I knew he'd be difficult. "Axel, I wasn't asking. I was telling."
He looks at me in shock. "Scarlett, do you want your friend to live a long and healthy life?"
I laugh but stop when his face turns dark. "That's it. He's JUST my friend, Axel." The muscle in his neck starts ticking. He's about to lose his shit, but I won't back down. Blaze will always be a part of my life. He was my first friend. "You're more than welcome to come with us to eat."
He growls. It's not a no. So, I continue.
"Axel, unless we eventually have kids, you will be the most important person in my life forever.
But Blaze will always be in my life in one capacity or the other.
And I can understand it being a little awkward for you at first, but when you see us together, you'll see it's only ever been friends. "
He kisses my lips, my eyes, my collarbone—all over. "We will have kids, Scarlett, and you'll be a great mother," Axel whispers gently.
I place feather-tip caresses on his cheek with my fingers.
"And you'll be a great daddy because you know exactly what not to do, Ax.
" Axel leans down and kisses me softly like he's scared that I'm a mirage and he's worried I'll leave.
But my name isn't Alexia or Theodore. He will always be able to count on me.
He gets up and gets dressed for early morning football practice. He kisses my forehead before he leaves. "Do whatever you want, but know I'll be watching."
I laugh, not because he's making a joke but because it's laughable that his always watching turns me on so much. What is wrong with me? I blame it on romance books. They've ruined me for "normal" men.
My phone buzzes.
Blaze: I've got time in about an hour. Breakfast?
Smiling because I've missed him.
Me: You got it!
He texts back instantly.
Blaze: Axel didn't almost stroke?
I laugh.
Me: Let's just say he's okay with it now. Well, okay is a strong word. It's hard for Axel to trust, but he trusts me.
I get dressed in comfy clothes and wear my hair on my head, because it's just Blaze.
Tonight's game starts at seven, so there will be plenty of time to get dolled up before then.
My nerves settle down deep in my belly. I hope Axel doesn't go all Rabies on Blaze tonight.
We haven't broached the topic since brunch, and Axel doesn't make idle threats.
The conversation plays in my mind again.
No details left his mouth, but he's been planning something.
We've dated long enough for me to realize that with Axel, you must read between the lines of some things he says. That boy keeps me on my toes.
Pulling out my phone before heading to the truck, I shoot Axel a text. He appreciates transparency.
Me: Heading to breakfast to meet up with Blaze.
The dots appear letting me know he's typing, but nothing ever comes through.
Oh dear. But I won't let it make me nervous.
Part of me wonders if he'll show up. Axel doesn't have to ask me where we're eating because of the tracker.
We haven't put his on yet, because I didn't want to be that person, but if we had, I wouldn't be surprised when he pops up.
That damn tracker will be put on him soon.
I make it to the 50s diner. Blaze has to try these pancakes because they are to die for! He pulls me in for a long hug. It's good to see my friend. He's a part of home and always will be. "Blazeeeeee!"
Blaze pulls back and laughs. "Scarrrrrr!" He imitates my shrill voice.
We sit down, and I order for the both of us. Blaze grins in that boyish smile of his, and it makes me happy to see him doing so well. He's battled depression his whole life, and college looks good on him. "How's life, Atwater?"
His green eyes shine mischievously. "Just kicking ass and taking names, Quinn. How about we talk about you instead? Axel Creed? My little Scarlett is dating a man nicknamed Rabies?"
I laugh because, yeah. Unexpected. "Yeah, yeah. It's my way of kicking ass and taking names."
He laughs but quickly turns serious. His wavy dark raven hair falls into his eyes when he shakes his head. "Is it serious?"
I nod with a cheesy grin. "I'm going to marry him one day, Blaze."
Blaze takes my hand in his. "I'm so happy for you, baby girl. He treats you right?"
My face beams up into his. "Axel's amazing, Blaze. He thinks he's not worthy of me, but he's wrong."
Blaze smiles. "Scarlett, nobody is worthy of you, and the fact that he knows that has me in his corner."
I clap my hands. Hopefully, Axel will feel the same way about him. One day, he will realize that Blaze isn't going anywhere. "Okay, enough about me! What's up with you? Any love interests?"
He laughs. "How about one in every zip code? I do have something to tell you, though."
My eyebrows shoot up. "Blaze Atwater, we might not talk every day or every month, but we don't keep secrets. What is it?"
He bites his lips. "Do you remember Leslie Jackson?"
I don't like where this is going. She was my tormentor in elementary school. That is until Blaze found out and put a stop to it. "Yes." I give him the death stare.
He rubs the back of his neck. His tell-tell sign that he's nervous and I'm definitely not going to like what he's about to say. "Well, we're dating."
I place my hand on my hips. The server saves his ass by delivering our food at that exact moment. "Exclusively?"
He nods. "Blaze, you could have any other girl. Why her? You know she's a skank. Ugh, Leslie used to be so mean to me."
Blaze rolls his eyes. "That was in the third grade, Scar. Listen, she's been through so much, okay? Things that no one should have to. She's damaged, and you know I have a thing for the damaged ones."
I nod in defeat. "Yes, all your girlfriends have always been charity cases. If you say she is a good person, I will reluctantly believe it."
His boyish grin makes an appearance. "Good, because I'm hungrier than two whores fighting over a cock."
I laugh. "You're an idiot."
We eat our food in companionable silence. Blaze is the first to speak. "This is the best food I have ever put in my mouth. I almost hate you for taking me here, because it's not like I'll be in Texas anytime soon."
I give him a smug look. "Told ya, you picked the wrong school."
He gives me a look. "How do you think your boyfriend would have taken to me being on his team? You told him about our summer, right?"
"You've got a point." I laugh because, with his crazy ass stalker self, Blaze would have ended up in the hospital from just being around me.
My phone buzzes.
Rabies: B seems okay, but I still hate that motherfucker.
Lord help me, I laugh.
Me: Is something wrong with me that I'm wet over the simple fact that you've been listening to our entire conversation? I love that you're so obsessed with me.
He types another message.
Look to your left.
I shake my head with a goofy ass grin on my face.
When I look around, I see that he's seated on the other side of the restaurant with his earbuds plugged in.
With my heart in my stomach, I wave him over.
Maybe Axel will behave. He walks up to the table with that confident swag I love.
He holds out his hand and shakes Blaze's hand.
It would have been sweet had Axel not been so firm with it.
His smile was positively evil when he saw Blaze wince under the pressure. My caveman.
***
It doesn't bother me that Scarlett has a past. It bothers me that she's still friends with her past. I never cared anything about any of the girls I slept with, and as I listened to their conversation, it was apparent they were only ever friends.
Honestly, though, if he was on fire, I'm not sure I would dial 911. - Axel
One thing about Longhorns fans is that they love an evening game.
Hell, we do, too. It's at least ten degrees cooler.
Scarlett has forbidden me from hurting Blaze to the level of him being taken out of the game.
So, that means I can kick his ass a little.
We take the field, and the crowd goes wild.
Jaxon does his thing where he jumps up and down and gets the crowd wound up.
LSU doesn't stand a chance. We stretch and jog up and down our half of the field. Electricity sizzles through the air.
We win the coin toss, which means they will go first. Our defense shuts them down, and I smile inside my helmet because it's our time to shine—and Blaze's time to get body slammed into the ground.
He stares at me, his concentration is impenetrable.
That is until it's gone time. I smile at him, channeling my fury.
I knock him on his ass with little effort.
Two more times, it's the same scenario with the same outcome.
However, on the last play of the game, I offer him my hand and help pick him up off the ground.
He takes it but mumbles, "Jealous motherfucker," under his breath as he walks past me toward his place on the sideline.
We win, 24-7, and my smile grows as I notice Blaze walking away with a slight limp.