Page 104

He takes a long drag on the cigarette and then exhales. “I’ve seen you sneaking out here with him.” I ignore him, grabbing another piece of wood, but when I look up, I don't miss the mean smirk lifting his bottom lip. “I thought he seemed familiar and I looked him up. Axel Rakestraw, right? He’s some kind of super star hockey goalie up there, huh?”

“You stalking me now?”

“Nah, I was just curious if I needed to warn this guy that he’s fucking around with a cock-teasing, rape-crying, lying whore?”

My body convulses, anger seizing me, and I drop the wood on the ground. I don’t know what I’m going to do to him–but the rage that runs through me terrifies me–but before I can act, strong hands pull me aside, and Axel’s broad frame separates us.

“What the fuck did you say to my girl?”

“Hey, just looking out for you, man,” Will says with a shrug. Proving that he’s either high as fuck or dumb as hell. “She’ll let you fuck her six ways to Sunday, and then cry foul.”

Whatever he is, Will never sees the punch coming. It’s a bone shattering crack that snaps his head and body back. He stumbles, but when he regains his footing he’s holding his cheek and cries, “What the hell, man? Are you crazy?”

“Not even close.” Axel leaps over the gate and crowds up on Will until his back is against his parent’s house, his fists balled. “I know who you are and what you did. Nadia was a kid and you preyed on her.”

“She’s really got you convinced, huh?” Will says, spitting blood on the ground. “She came on to me. She came to my house. She teased me with her little virgin act, almost begging me to take it and then later, when she had regrets, she called me a rapist.”

Axel slams his hands into Will’s chest, flattening him against the wall. “You’ve got a problem, dude. A serious one, but let me tell you one thing, Nadia isn’t it. You stole something from her, something she’s fought tooth and nail to get back, and like hell I’m going to let you keep messing with her.” Axel’s chest is pushed out, he looks like he’s one second from tearing Will limb from limb. “Understood?”

Will seems to come to his senses and nods. “Yeah, fine. Whatever.”

Unsatisfied, Axel’s hand clamps down on his shoulder and pushes him toward the fence–toward me. “But first, apologize.”

Will licks his bloody lip, and the side of his face has started to swell. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” Axel prompts.

“For calling you a whore,” he mumbles. “And saying you’re a cocktease. I admit it. You were easy and a little desperate and I knew I could talk you into just about anything.” Will touches his cheek and winces. “I won’t talk to you again. Just keep your attack dog off of me.”

Axel’s green eyes meet mine and the anger and love in them makes my heart flip flop. “That good for you, T?”

I nod. “Yeah, knowing I’ll never have to talk to him again is enough.”

Will is yanked away from the gate and Axel leans down, whispering something in his ear. Will gives a curt nod and walks off. He goes into the pool house, slamming the door behind him.

“What did you say?” I ask Axel once he’s back on our side of the fence.

He wraps his arms around me, pulling me flush against his body. “I told him that if he ever speaks to you again, I’ll feed him his teeth one by one and then call the cops on his predatory ass.” He tucks a lock of hair behind my ear. “You okay?”

I flatten my hands on his abdomen and kiss the number tattooed over his heart. “Yeah, I think so.”

“Good.” He frowns, fingers toying with the back of my bikini bottoms. “I guess he kind of ruined the vibe of an afternoon swim.”

I look up at him and say, “I think I’ve got a better idea.”

“Okay. The timer is on,”I press the button on the oven and call out to my mom. “Can you take them out when it rings?”

“Yes,” my mom says, nose still firmly in her book. I’m not sure I believe her. Once she’s lost in whatever world she’s engrossed in, it’s hard to pull her back out.

“The kolaches?” Kendall asks. “I’ll get them out.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. I can’t wait to try them.” Then she gives me a pointed look. “Take your time.”

I grin. “Thank you.”

The shower is already running when I get to the bathroom linking my room and Jason’s. Steam fills the room, fogging the mirror that Axel stands in front of waiting for me. His knuckles are raw and red, and I take his hand, kissing the bruises.