Page 90 of Pretty Broken Wings

I arch an eyebrow and turn to look at him. “I’m missing a pinky nail, and the others aren’t even painted.”

“I’ll fix it, little bird.” Axel’s voice is cheerful.

“No,” Gage and I answer at the same time, and my gaze flashes to his. He’s looking in my general direction, and his lips are in a hard line before he settles back into that impassive state. His kissable lips.

“No?” Axel moves over to me, a furrow between his brows. “Aren’t you missing one?”

His nearness starts to make my heart pound, and at first, it’s because I’m not sure what he’s doing, but then it’s because helooks just like Gage. And suddenly, I’m remembering the way Gage kissed me.

I straighten, trying to keep the blush off my cheeks. As Axel towers over me, I wish I had my bat. I remember how Axel bowed before me and my bat, and a stupid plan fills my head. I raise my left hand to his chest, then trace the nails down his shirt.

Axel freezes, watching my hand’s movement.

“Must have ripped off in the shower, huh, Gage?” I throw Axel a wink, then point my nails in and shove.

Axel steps back, and I stalk past him. My adrenaline is racing, and I can’t figure out if this aggressive route is the best or the stupidest idea I’ve ever had. Instead of second-guessing, I plow forward, stepping right into Gage’s space. “Will you fix them?”

Just like with Axel, I put my hand on his chest, but I don’t dig. Gage looks down at me, and his lips part just slightly. He looks like he’s sucking in a breath, and his pupils widen. I find myself lost in his gaze, and I can feel his heart pounding.

I know Axel’s watching.

Gage’s voice is rough. “I don’t know how.”

“Ax will teach you.” I turn to look at him, raising a challenging eyebrow.

There’s a flash of something on Axel’s face before it settles back into his flirty look. “I’ll do anything for you if you call me Ax again.”

I called him Ax without even thinking. A sinking feeling hits my stomach.

“I’ll get the stuff right now!” Axel moves out of the kitchen with too much cheerfulness. “Don’t start fucking on the counters, lovebirds. Or do. Just wait till I can watch.”

My face flushes, and I’m immediately thankful that Gage can’t see it. I take a step away from him.

“I don’t know how to do nails,” Gage says in a low voice.

“I just want them off.”

Gage gives a tight nod, and when Axel comes back, I’m standing at an awkward distance from Gage. Not close, but not far.

“Leave room for Jesus, damn.” Axel elbows me in the side, and immediately, I snap mine out, catching him hard enough to feel like hitting a wall. He doesn’t even take a step back. Fucking abs.

Axel laughs, “Where to, bitches? I need an outlet.”

We settle on the dining room table, Gage and I occupying the corner and Axel leaning across the table.

I wipe my sweaty palm on my pants before handing it over to Gage.

“Glasses,” he demands.

Axel smiles, “Sure! In exchange for a kiss from the lady. Since she’s handing them out willy-nilly.” Axel throws me a look that tells me he sees right through me.

“Fuck you.”

“Don’t be an ass.” Gage takes the glasses, then blinks as he tries to refocus on my hand. He pulls it up to his face, pulling my fingers this way and that to look at them.

“I may be an ass, but at least I’m not a liar. What color?” Axel gives me a look with eyebrows raised.

I grit my teeth. “No color. I want them off.”