Page 27 of Pretty Broken Wings

Except these men arehot. Max was nothing compared to them. I wonder if they’re married, too? I haven’t noticed a ring on either of them. And I checked. Because my brain is apparently super fucked up. I’d rather fuck my bat than let either of them touch me.

The person knocks again.

Snatching up my pink bat, I suck in a breath. No more. I’m taking my power back.

I stride to the door and swing it open.

Standing on my doorstep is Axel.

He grins at me. “Hey, little b–”

I shut the door in his face. Not fast enough to miss the way he tries to look past me.

My hands shake, and I shake them aggressively. Why am I afraid? I have no reason to be afraid. I’ll brain Axel if he tries anything.

There’s more knocking, and I just stand there, staring at the door. Obsession is never good. It can only mean one thing: pain.

The knocking continues, rattling around inside my already tired brain, making me buzz. Will he stop? Leave? Forget my number?

But if he stops, will he actually leave? Or will he just wait for me to check and ambush me later?

No. I don’t want to leave that option open.

My body feels trapped in that frozen state until Axel knocks again.

Fuck it. I’m done with this. I yank the door open again, my bat still in my hands. “What–”

“I’m sorry.” Axel holds his hands up like he’s calming a wild animal. “I’m sorry, just hear me out.”

Narrowing my eyes, I focus on the feeling of the bat handle in my hands. The thin rubber is cool, and the bat is heavy. One swing and it’s lights out for Axel. He’s standing on the bottom step, so he’s eye to eye with me instead of being taller. It would be easy to hit him.

I glance around. Axel’s driver is waiting about a block away, giving us a semblance of privacy.

“What do you want?” I ask.

“I should have told you about Gage. I’m sorry, I just didn’t think you’d run into him.”

Axel’s in that red suit, and it’s molded to his body. His thick body. Good god, why are they both so big? Attraction rolls through me, and disgust follows quickly after. Why am I cursed to find men attractive? Why the fuck can’t I like women?

“Yes, you should have.” I pull my gaze back up to Axel’s face, staring at him. Despite the fact that I spent all day with Gage, I seriously can’t tell them apart besides the glasses. Their eyes are the same blueish purple, their eyebrows have the same arch, and their lips are the same biteable pink.

He sees me staring and gentles his voice. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”

“How do I tell you apart?”

Axel laughs softly. “Uh, I’m the hotter one?”

I move to slam the door again, and Axel holds out his hand, stopping it. “Wait, I came to offer you your job back.”

I freeze.

“I didn’t know you got fired that night. Mrs. Todd told me later.”

There’s a weird surge of relief, followed very closely by suspicion. He didn’t care until now. Why does he suddenly care?

“What’s in it for you?” I trace the tip of the bat along the floor, and Axel’s gaze snaps down to it.

He thinks I’m gonna hit him with it.