Forever Burn Page 3

  I didn’t want to give Axel the satisfaction of knowing, that for some reason, I felt kind of safe around him. I didn’t know if it was his wild reputation or just him, but either way, it felt too familiar and as comforting as that was, it also scared the shit out of me.

  “Out of all of that, that’s the only part you caught?” I said, mirroring his response from a few minutes before. Axel licked his lips subtly, his grin still staying in place. My only way to get out of answering his relentless questions was to answer them with another question. It was the one way I could get through a conversation without having to entirely explain myself.

  Before he could respond, I noticed a pretty red headed girl across the room from us. Her eyes lingered on Axel and I. She may have had a small frame, but I could feel the insane amount of tension she sent from twenty feet away. Bingo. A perfect way to change the subject.

  Axel opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off. “Who’s the redhead?” He glanced over at her quickly before alerting his attention back to me. His eyes grew wide. It was clear that he didn’t want her to notice that he was aware of her presence. “C’mon, you totally know her. She’s been staring for a while.”

  “Well,” he started, not knowing if he should say what he was about to, “she’s just some girl I slept with and then never called again after…” Axel ignored eye contact as he spoke, clearly embarrassed.

  “Oh, great, how gentleman-like of you.”

  He winced at my answer. “Hey, in my defense, she was crazy.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Okay, how so?”

  He shifted around in his seat, the situation making him evidently uncomfortable. Perfect. The tables were finally turned and it felt great.

  “She kept calling me every day and I wouldn’t answer her calls. Then she showed up at my apartment one day and when I told her I didn’t want a relationship or to even continue sleeping with her, she threw her coffee at me and left.”

  I raised my eyebrows, impressed with the redhead’s coffee throwing performance story. What an icon. I wished I would’ve been there to watch it happen. “Well I mean, you could’ve just either one, answered her calls and told her right then that you weren’t looking for a relationship instead of leading her on. Or two, you could’ve just not slept with her in the first place,” I bounced back. I could tell that all throughout the night, Axel had been trying to be kind, but knowing his reputation and how he was when we first met, I knew better. His kindness was just a ploy for reasons that I didn’t know yet, and I sure as hell didn’t want to stick around to find out.

  “I mean, technically you’re right, but why wouldn’t I sleep with someone if I had the opportunity to?”

  His douchey side was starting to come out again and as much as that side of him annoyed me, I was grateful that it was there, because it meant that it was easier for me to hate him.

  “Um, out of respect?” I shot back. Axel’s face fell. He could tell I was getting pissed off. Without thinking, my mouth started talking. “What’s your body count now anyways? Like thirty?”

  “I don’t know. I don’t keep count,” he gently shrugged. His tone didn’t sound as bothered as I would’ve liked. As far as I knew, Axel slept with any and every girl he could. And when you were as good looking as he was, the opportunities were endless.

  “Well maybe you should,” I crossed my arms. His smirk slowly reappeared, amused with the way I was acting. “Surprised you haven’t asked me by now to go back to your apartment with you after this.”

  He shrugged again. “I promised you that I wouldn’t… unless you want me to.”

  I laughed, “Um, no.”

  Even with how mad he had made me a few moments prior, I was content knowing that he could at least stick to his word.

  Our waitress returned, this time with our food. We both ate quickly, which I was thankful for because it meant I would get the hell out of there faster. When our waitress brought the check, she set it down in front of Axel. There was a number scribbled across it.

  “Feel free to call whenever,” she said with a wink.

  You’ve got to be kidding me. Did she really have the audacity to give Axel her number when I was sitting right there? He didn’t need another confidence boost. He was cocky enough already.

  Axel flashed his most charming smile at her, a dimple sinking in as he did. I rolled my eyes at the sight.

  He slid the check over to me. I gave him a confused look, pulling my eyebrows in. “Well aren’t you gonna pay?” he asked. My mouth parted, amazed at his shady remark. He laughed, “I’m fuckin’ messing with you,” he said, pulling the check back over to his side of the table.

  I was relieved by his answer. I hadn’t brought any money with me and even if I had, there was no way I was paying for his shit. Axel paid and then pulled a twenty out of his wallet and left it on the table. Was he tipping her so much because she was hitting on him or because he just simply had a lot of cash?

  I could feel the redhead’s eyes on us as we walked out. I didn’t want her to think that Axel and I were dating. That rumor would spread fast and if people thought I was dating Western’s biggest douchebag, I’d be judged and chided extremely. And above all, I didn’t want Claire to somehow find out. She’d be pissed.

  I opened my car door to get out when Axel pulled up to Stanley. “Thanks for dinner,” I said.

  “Yeah, of course. And if you ever want to hang out or anything, just shoot me a text.”

  “Will do,” I vaguely replied, with both of us knowing that I wouldn’t.

  Right before I shut the door behind me, Axel spoke again. “And Tate?”

  I sighed, “Yes?”

  He looked me dead in the eyes. “That whole fake bitch thing you’ve got going on? I see right through it.” He grinned cheekily. “Later,” he winked as I shut the door.

  In a quick second, his car was gone.

  Fuck.

  Chapter Three

  The White Pick-Up Truck

  I hadn’t heard from Axel since he dropped me off after dinner a few days prior, but I had a gut feeling that it wasn’t the last I would see of him. I still hadn’t told Claire about the whole ordeal, and I was hoping that Axel would stay away so that I wouldn’t have to.

  I knocked on Claire and Gianna’s door, ready to go get lunch before I had to head to math. Gianna’s flustered face opened the door.

  “Ready for lunch?” I asked, making my way inside. “Where’s Claire at?”

  Gianna frantically shoved her things into her backpack. “I really have to hit the library to study before my bio test later, so I have to take a raincheck. And Claire went out to eat with Jason,” she finished with an eye roll.

  Of course, Claire was with Jason. I wasn’t surprised, but disappointment did flood over me. I hated eating alone and Penelope was at class, so it’s not like I could’ve gone with her either. My shoulders fell and I tipped my head back. “Ugh.”

  “I’m really sorry, Tate.”

  “It’s fine,” I sighed.

  Gianna threw her backpack over her shoulder. “But we can all hang out later?”

  I nodded, following her out of the room. I retreated back to my own room, briskly picking up my bag, so that I could get some homework done while I ate.

  After getting my plate at the dining center, I chose a table in the back, hoping that no one would notice me. Sitting down with a huff, I pulled out my laptop and textbooks.

  I slumped back in my seat and typed away on my computer, taking a bite of my food every minute or so. I felt eyes on me, so I slowly peered my chin up, noticing Lucas sitting at the table across from mine. He turned away when he realized I had caught him staring. Knowing he was watching me made me uncomfortable and I wanted to switch tables, but having to pack up all my stuff, grab my food and drink, and move it all was too big of a hassle.

  I noticed him looking again using my peripherals as I silently sat, hoping that he wouldn’t come over to my table and try to start talking to me. I sank down i
nto my seat as my focus remained on my laptop and food, trying to finish eating as fast as I possibly could. Dread overcame me when I saw Lucas stand up and head towards my table. But just as he was approaching, Axel slid into the seat next to me.

  “Hey,” he said. He eyed Lucas, unhappily. Lucas stopped in his tracks. The sight of Axel made him uneasy. I could tell he was silently deciding if he should still come by or not.

  Lucas glanced at me again, then to Axel. His shoulders went up and dropped down with a sigh as he shook his head, walking past our table and leaving the dining hall. Thank God. I had never been happy to see Axel before that moment. He just saved my ass big time.

  “Thanks for saving me right there. I did not want to be stuck here listening to him hit on me every two seconds.”

  Axel twisted his face in disgust at the second part of my explanation. “Yeah, no problem. I could tell you were uncomfortable, and I hate that kid, so I figured I should step in.”

  “You know him?”

  “Yeah,” he looked up at me with those pretty green emeralds of his. “He’s in my physics class. He’s a little, preppy bitch.” I nodded, taking another bite of my lunch. “So, he hits on you a lot?” Axel’s tone sounded bothered, almost upset at the thought. He looked down and used his fork to play around with the food on his plate. I wondered why the idea of Lucas and I bugged him so much. It’s not like Axel Burne was the type of guy to care enough to be jealous, so that possible explanation was off the list.

  I debated answering with a bitchy response like I usually would when I talked to Axel, but then I remembered his comment as I got out of his car. He knew that I had been pretending to be a bitch the whole time. I had only been that way towards him because his aura made me afraid. His personality was recognizable, and his reputation was terrible. He made me feel the need to put my guard up higher.

  “Yep, every time I see him, he’s offering dates left and right,” I said in between bites.

  “And you never go?”

  I shook my head. “Hell no. I don’t go on dates, and I especially wouldn’t go with him.” Axel beamed at my response. “What are you smiling at?”

  He bit his lip, making butterflies flood my stomach at the sight. The thought of kissing him popped into my head for a second, but I pushed it away, knowing damn well that could never happen.

  “You went on a date with me though,” he answered.

  I gave out a short laugh. “I told you when I agreed to it that it was not a date. It was your apology to me for being a dick before.”

  “Well where’s my apology for when you were a bitch?” he said only half-jokingly. I peeked over at him, lifting a single eyebrow. Axel lifted both of his, waiting for me to respond.

  “Okay, I’m sorry for being a bitch. There’s your apology,” I turned back towards my laptop, trying to do more of my homework, but lacking the ability to focus.

  “Hmm,” he started, pushing his lips together, “well you could make it up to me by hanging out with me later.”

  “Interesting… Is this your way of asking me to sleep with you?” I glared at him, suspicious of his intentions.

  “I just asked for a hang out, not a porno session,” he laughed. “I’ll sit all the way across the room from you if that makes you feel better. And you could even bring a friend with you if you want.”

  “You, me, and one of my friends? Wow, sounds like such a blast. I’m sure whichever friend I bring would feel absolutely not like a third wheel at all,” my sarcasm called out.

  His perfect teeth showed, revealing his infectious smile. It seemed as if he was constantly entertained by my resistance to him. “My brother will be there too, since you know, I live with him.”

  I broke eye contact, looking back to my laptop. “I’ll consider it.”

  “I’ll text you my address later.” He stood up, taking his plate with him. “I better see your fine ass at my place tonight to hang,” he said, walking backwards, never taking his eyes or smiling face off of me as he did.

  If Axel wasn’t trying to sleep with me, then why did he want me to come over so badly? It’s not like he was the type that had a lot of friends who were girls, and even if friendship was the only thing he wanted from me, the thought made me a little upset. I didn’t want to be in a relationship with Axel, but I also didn’t want to be just friends. I needed there to be nothing between us. Staying away from Axel was the safest thing I could do for myself, and knowing that there was a slight fascination he sparked inside of me, made me frightened.

  I walked back to Stanley after math, with the shitty realization that I had originally made plans tonight with Claire and Gianna. Axel had said I could bring a friend, but I didn’t want to overstep my boundaries by bringing two and even if I could, there was absolutely no way that I was taking Claire over there. I would eventually have to text Axel and tell him that I couldn’t come over, which was both a blessing and a curse within itself.

  Gianna was sitting at her desk, doing homework when I walked in. Their beds were lofted, with a small futon sitting under one, so I gladly laid down, exhausted from my hell of a math class.

  Knowing that Claire wasn’t in the room gave me some leeway to be honest. “I ran into Axel earlier at lunch and he asked me to hang out tonight.”

  Gianna’s eyesight didn’t stray away from her textbook. “Thought hanging out with him was a one-time thing?”

  “I mean, it was. I mean… he promised he wouldn’t try to hook-up with me and he told me I could bring a friend tonight.” I felt the need to tell someone what was going on, and obviously, I couldn’t tell Claire. Gianna had always been a little easier to talk to.

  “Tate,” she finally looked over at me, a look of worry resting on her face, “you know he’s a bad idea.”

  “I know, I know. I didn’t say I was gonna go over there, and even if I did, it’s only as friends.” But as soon as the words left my mouth, I didn’t believe any of them myself. “Don’t worry, Gi. I have plans with you guys anyways. So, what are we doin’ tonight?” I wondered, eager to change the subject.

  She shook off the previous topic. “Uh, I honestly have no idea. Claire still hasn’t come back from Jason’s.”

  My eyebrows shot up at her response. “She hasn’t come back all day?”

  Gianna shook her head disappointingly. “Should I text in the group chat?”

  “Yes, most definitely. She’s been gone since this morning.”

  Gi took her phone out and typed away.

  Claire, where are u?

  It was unlike her to be AWOL all day, and we were both worried and annoyed at her behavior. We knew that Claire hadn’t had an actual love interest in a few years, and as much as we wanted to cut her some slack, she was making it hard to. We had already sucked it up numerous times to go to Jason’s frat just so that Claire could see him, and now, she was spending all day, every day with him.

  Oh shit, sorry guys, I totally forgot we had plans. I prob won’t be able to make it tonight. I think I’m gonna spend the night at Jason’s!

  “Is she for real?” Gianna didn’t usually get angry with her cousin, but right now, she was pissed. Gi looked up at me after a minute, deep in thought, her brows furrowing. “So, Axel really said you could bring a friend?” I nodded, taking a deep breath. She looked down for a second at the text from Claire again, slamming her phone down on the desk in frustration. “Fuck it. Let’s go.”

  Gianna and I carpooled in her car over to the apartment. We would’ve taken my car, but I was nearly out of gas. Gianna was fully aware of my fear of other people driving, so she allowed me to drive us there in her car.

  I didn’t want to overdress to simply go hangout with Axel, but I didn’t want to underdress either. I decided on a plum sweater with buttons down the center, tied at the bottom, showing off the tiniest bit of my tummy between the sweater and my jeans. The sweater dropped low on one side, exposing my small shoulder and collarbone.

  Nerves took over my body as the door to the apartme
nt opened. A man who mirrored Axel stood in the doorway. Unlike Axel, his brown hair was short, quaffed in the front. He didn’t have as many tattoos, but his facial features greatly resembled Axel’s, other than the fact that this guy had brown eyes instead of green ones.

  “Come on in,” he said to us, cocking his head towards the inside. “I’m Ashton, Axel’s brother,” he stated, matter-of-factly, while shaking both of our hands.

  “I’m Gianna.”

  “And I’m Tatum,” I flashed a friendly smile.

  A lightbulb went off in his head. “Oh, so you’re the girl he won’t stop talking about.”

  Crimson flooded my cheeks. I was thankful that the lighting in the front room was dark enough to hide it. The girl he wouldn’t stop talking about? What the hell did that mean?

  Ashton smirked. “Axe is currently in the shower, because he’s a dumb fuck and can’t plan things accordingly. He should be out soon though.” He glanced at Gianna and then back towards me. “So, are you both freshmen?”

  I licked my lips, still unsettled by his earlier comment. “Yeah, both freshmen. How ‘bout you?”

  “I’m a year older than Axe, so I’m a junior.” Ashton may have looked very similar to Axel, but he didn’t give off douche vibes like Axel did. He seemed very put together and polite.

  Gianna was just as shy as I was at the moment. I didn’t want to say the wrong thing, feeling a weird urge to be approved of by Ashton.

  I took a look around. The apartment was surprisingly clean for somewhere that two boys lived. It had a long hallway in one direction, which is where I assumed the bathroom and bedrooms were. In the other direction, there was a living room, then a kitchen across from it.

  I noticed a framed photo hung on the wall. Curiosity took over as I walked closer to get a better look. Two young boys, a teenage girl, and an older woman, who looked to be in her late thirties or so, all hung onto each other happily. The joy in their faces was remarkably visible.

  “Is this all of you guys?” I questioned, with a light smile.