Page 26

“It’s not chasing a jersey if I’m naked.”

I give him a hard look. “I’m trying to be better. Just like you are. Hooking up with random athletes has done nothing for me, but give me a shitty reputation and essentially getting blacklisted across campus. If anything, you should stay clear of me, I’m like some kind of hook-up kryptonite.”

“That’s bullshit,” he says. “We hooked up and I had a shutout. If anything, you're a lucky charm.”

I laugh darkly and shake my head.

“What’s so funny? You know we take our superstitions seriously.”

I stare at his terrible mustache. Twyler told me he started growing it after they started winning this season and had vowed to keep it until they either lost or won the whole thing. “Oh, I know.”

“Then what?” he asks, smoothing his ‘stache down with his fingers.

“Do you know how long I’ve waited for one of the guys I’ve chased to say I’m their lucky charm?” He shakes his head and despite knowing better, I continue. “Three years. Three fucking years worth of hook-ups and late night booty calls. Being available whenever they wanted me. Showing up when I was exhausted or had other work to do. And the one time I’m not interested, when I absolutely can’t be interested, you’re showing up at my door flashing your abs and being all cute.”

He grins. “So you do think I’m cute.”

“Shut up.”

On screen Jess and Brock stroll down the sidewalk of their quaint small town, eating ice cream and holding hands. It’s sweet and so far from where I am with my life today.

“People want a girl like that,” I say, pointing to the screen. “Someone innocent. Not someone with a body count like I have.”

“Who gives a shit about body counts?” he asks.

“No one gives a shit when you’re a man.” Again, I look at the screen. “Spoiler alert: Brock goes on to have multiple girlfriends, including one he knocks up, and two he cheats on. No matter what, he's the hero. Jess? She’s just the sad girl that can’t get over him.”

“Okay,” Axel says suddenly. I look over at him. “I hear you, and I’m willing to be your safe space, if you’re willing to be mine.”

I eye him, those long legs stretched out and the tattoos on his bicep bulging from where he has it bent. “What does that mean?”

“I need to stay away from partying. You need to stay away from going back to your own bad habits. We keep each other accountable. No more epic fuck-ups.” His tongue darts out and licks that hoop in his lip. “A safe space. Deal?”

If he hadn’t come over here tonight I probably would have caved, and either hooked up with Caleb or felt like shit when he didn’t match with me.

And even though there’s nothing about Axel Rakestraw that seems safe, I find myself saying. “Deal.”

I give him my hand to shake on it, and he slides his warm, rough fingers against mine. He doesn’t shake it though, instead holding tight. “But, if you change your mind, and want some no-strings, no-pressure, killer orgasms? Just ask.”

I pull away and ignore the crackle where our hands met, adding, “I won’t.”

“So her fatheris the rich guy, right? Is that why her tits are out all the time?”

I roll my eyes. “I don’t think those things are related.”

“Sure it is. They’re excellent tits.” He leans forward, eyes narrowed. “Too excellent. They’re fake. Only a rich daddy would give a high school chick implants.”

“Those aren’t fake,” I argue. “Monica Morgan is gorgeous. She’s got her own clothing line and models on the side. Those are her real boobs.”

He shrugs. “If you say so.”

Obviously he doesn’t buy it, and I have no idea why we’re even having this discussion. I’m not even sure why he’s still here. I’ve done nothing to make him comfortable. I didn’t offer him a drink or an extra pillow for the chair which is notoriously uncomfortable. I’ve made little small talk other than answering a few questions about the show, yet he’s watched three episodes of Springfield, growing more interested with each episode.

I mean, it’s hard not to. All the characters are gorgeous. The drama – delicious. I was surprised to hear he’d never heard of it. You would have had to live under a rock not to have an awareness of the show back then. It was super popular and theactors were everywhere at the time. All over magazine covers, social media, and commercials.

If I had to guess, I’d suspect his interest back then was on two things. Hockey and sex.

When the episode ends, I turn off the TV with the remote.