Chapter 29

Adelaide

“What’s wrong, baby?”

I know he’s using the word because Axton did. He’s never called me baby. He’s not the type. At least, I used to think he wasn’t a lot of things. Some of those he proved wrong tonight.

“What was that?” I point in the direction I just left him in. “Why are you goading him?”

“Why do you care if I do?”

“Really?” I hiss. “We’ve been dating for a month, and knowing I want to go slow, not even making it to second base, you thought it would be okay to touch me the way you just did?”

He takes a small step back.

“Addi.” When he reaches for my hand, I conceal it by crossing my arms over my chest. “I wasn’t thinking.”

“Who are you right now?”

“A very jealous boyfriend who’s being challenged by the most popular guy in town.”

“You have no reason to be jealous,” I assure him.

“He wants you, Addi.”

“And what? I have no say? We’re not cave people. He can’t just walk up and knock me over the head with his club and drag me away.”

“From the way he was eating you with his eyes and the way you responded to him, it didn’t look like he’d have to put in that much effort.” He frowns.

I shake my head. “We’re friends.”

He pauses for a second before speaking, as if trying to choose his words, formulating a way to say them without upsetting me.

“And you never kissed him?”

“Marcus,” I sigh.

“So, that’s a yes. Has he ever touched you, tasted more than the skin on your lips?”

I tremble at the memory of the things Axton did—things I’d never even considered doing with Marcus, boyfriend or not.

“You don’t even have to answer me. You don’t lie, so the pause says all I need to know.”

Tears sting the backs of my eyes, and I faintly recognize Axton changing songs.

“I won’t apologize for the things I’ve done. I went into them with eyes wide open, and I don’t regret much in my life.”

“Seems you’re not as innocent as I’d assumed.” His words sting. I haven’t purposely hidden anything from him, but I’ve avoided all conversation concerning Axton like the plague. He’s respected my desire to leave the subject in the dark, until now.

“I’m still a virgin,” I hiss. “That’s something you can’t say.”

I hate that I’m getting defensive of my time with Axton, protecting it like a valuable piece of my story, but it’s precious to me.

He laughs. “Kennedy was my fiancée,” he says, referring to the girl he’d been with for years before she broke it off last year to move to Italy with a guy she met in acting classes. “That’s different than some fuckboy who was only after you because he wanted to pop your cherry.”

I recoil. He could’ve slapped my face and I wouldn’t have been this shocked.

Tears stain my cheeks as the man I was trying to convince myself was the best thing for me turns into a monster. I almost tell him I offered every part of me to Axton and he was so much a gentleman, he turned me down, but that’s not going to help my argument.

“Listen, I’m sorry.” I inch back when he reaches for me again. “Can we talk about this somewhere else? I’m not trying to upset you.”

I hold both hands up. “I think you’ve said enough.”

“Are you staging a fight so you can run to him with a free conscience?”

I laugh at the ridiculousness of his suggestion. If anything, I do my best to run away from Axton. He’s the one always chasing me. I can’t help if my resistance to him is non-existent.

“You acted poorly. You don’t get to turn this back on me.”

He frowns. “Let’s just get out of here. We can talk in the car.”

“I don’t think so. I thought you were a great guy, until tonight.”

“He makes me crazy,” he mutters.

“What does that have to do with me?” He remains silent, so I answer for him. “Nothing. You had no right to manhandle me the way you did.”

“I’m sorry,” he grumbles.

“And I forgive you, but in trying to prove a point to him, you lost me.”

“That’s ludicrous. This is just a fight.” His eyes dart back and forth, staring into mine, looking for the hint of a chance I’ll change my mind.

“You’re breaking up with me because of him?”

His face falls, legitimately upset at the idea. No longer angry, but more pitiful, it makes it hard for me to speak, but allowing how he acted tonight by staying with him will only lead to worse things down the road.

“I’m breaking up with you because of you.”

Nodding, he leans in and kisses my cheek, then I watch him walk away until the crowd swallows him up. I give my head a small shake when I hear Axton begin the chorus of “Now That I Know Your Name” by Jordan Rager. What does it say about me that I’m not too concerned about breaking up with Marcus? A month isn’t a very long time in the grand scheme of things, but I haven’t dated anyone since Jason. Watching Marcus walk away left me more relieved than upset.

I try to school my face into impassivity before I turn around to face him, but it’s impossible. A grin spreads over his face. He’s beautiful as he finishes his song. As he watches me walk closer, I realize I missed him more than I ever thought possible.

“Trouble in paradise?” he asks as I step in front of him.

“No trouble,” I answer.

“From the looks of it, no paradise either.”

“No paradise,” I agree.

I only thought his smile was at full capacity, but it spreads at my news.

“I missed you,” he confesses easily.

“So I heard,” I say, referencing the hashtags Marcus told me about. It’s been months since I’ve gotten online, so I don’t know anything firsthand.

“You honestly seemed surprised to see me tonight.” He angles his head to the empty spot beside him, and I take a seat without a second thought. I couldn’t walk away from him right now if my hair was on fire.

“I don’t do the whole social media thing anymore. I’m not as up to date on events as the normal college student, I guess.”

“You’re not missing much,” he says with another soft smile. “You’re beautiful.”

And from out of nowhere, he thrusts us right back together, as if two months haven’t passed since he left.

“There are a couple dozen girls here who would say the same thing about you,” I advise.

“I only care what one girl has to say.”

I stare into the depths of his hazel eyes, wanting to caress the stubble on his cheek and only barely holding onto my restraint. He’s so dangerous.

“Do you want me to find her and ask?” I manage after an endless moment.

He laughs and shakes his head. “Any requests?” he asks, his fingers playing a nameless tune on his guitar.

“I can’t think of anything, but if I could get a ride home at the end of the night, that would be awesome.”

“Where would you like me to ride you to, Addi?” he teases, but the glint in his eye tells me he wouldn’t turn me down like the first time if I offered myself to him.

“I need a lift home.”

“I’d carry you to the moon if that’s what you wanted.”

My heart flutters, and I go to speak, but he starts singing again.

The night goes on like that, him singing and me trying to figure out if the words on his lips are meant for me. People come up and chat. Carson stops by at one point to give us the one-hour warning, but then doesn’t show back up for two.

He’s so relaxed when he saunters up, I narrow my eyes at him.

“I guess I’ll be driving you two home tonight.” He tilts his head in confusion. “You’re too relaxed not to be either drunk or high.”

Axton chuckles beside me as he places his guitar in the case. “He hasn’t been drinking or using drugs.”

“Something,” I mutter. “I’m not taking any chances.”

“Wanna explain?” Carson asks, walking away when Axton nods.

“It’s no big deal,” I say, pulling my phone from the back pocket of my jeans. “I can call Mandy to come get me.”

“He got laid, Addi. He isn’t high or drunk, he’s buzzing from sex,” he explains with mirth.

I look at the fire, anywhere but in his eyes. My cheeks heat, which is a lot easier to ignore than the tingle all over my body at the mention of sex. I shake my head, hoping he doesn’t notice.

How can I miss something I’ve never had? That question encompasses both Axton and sex.

“You’ll notice,” he says, standing from the bale of hay, “that I, on the other hand, am not at all relaxed and happy.”

I stand. “I’m not having sex with you.”

He laughs, head thrown back for so long, it brings a smile to my face. “I didn’t tell you that because I was thinking you’d offer. I want you to know I didn’t hook up with anyone while I was away.”

“You didn’t have to do that.” I feel guilty about Marcus, even though kissing is all we ever did. I’d told him not to save himself for me. I hang my head as we walk to the truck.

“I’m not trying to make you feel bad for Marcus, I just wanted you to know.”

I nod and climb into the truck. Sandwiched between a sated Carson and Axton’s thrumming body, I can hardly take in a full breath all the way to my house. Axton climbs out behind me, telling Carson to give him a minute.

“It was nice seeing you tonight,” I tell him.

“Don’t give me that line. You’ve used it too many times already.” He leans in close, but doesn’t attempt to kiss or touch me. “I’m only home for a month before I go back out with Easton Montgomery. I hope you find some time to hang out with me while I’m home.”

I open my mouth to refuse him, but his fingers brush against my lips, preventing my words.

“I’ll text you.” He kisses my cheek, then turns to leave. “It was nice seeing you, too.”

I give Carson a quick wave before heading into the house.

“You guys just gravitate to one another,” Renee says, an unfamiliar softness lacing her words.

“He’s only home for a month,” I mutter before plopping down on the sofa beside her. “How are you feeling?”

“Fat,” she answers. “You need to tell him how you feel.”

I shake my head.

“The boy loves you.”

“He may love the idea of me, but he loves music more. I’ll only come in between him and his dream because I can’t handle him being on tour.”

“And yet, you should still tell him how you feel.” She rolls her head on the back of the couch until her eyes find mine. “He deserves to know.”

“How about I tell Axton he’s the love of my life when you tell Elijah you’re pregnant with his baby?”

“I think Axton has no business knowing what’s going on in your head.”

I laugh, kiss her cheek, and head to my room. I have hours of contemplating all the reasons I should stay away from Axton Lane over the next month ahead of me.