Page 19 of Forged By Shadows
“He wasn’t as excited to go as you’d think,” Dax points a fry at me. At my confused look, Dax sighs. “It was the only way he could get any quality time with his- your parents. Half of the time, he loathed the traveling and effort he had to go to for it.” I don’t need clarification to know ‘quality time’ means without me being there. If he felt any discomfort, I couldn’t tell while watching the footage in high definition from the comfort of my sofa.
“Well he’s a natural at bullshitting so,” I shrug and go back to my burger. Dax frowns as if he wants to argue. Then a thought strikes me and I have to force it through the food in my mouth. “Anyways, ew. Can we not discuss Wyatt today of all days?” Thankfully, our conversation moves onto school and how I’m not going to skip any more of Mrs. Patrick’s classes. Talking to Dax comes easily. He skates over uncomfortable topics and keeps the mood light. Once finished with our food, Dax clears up the table, stacking the trays neatly.
“If I offer you a ride back to your dorm, you’re not going to have me arrested, are you?” he smirks, offering me his arm. I take it, withholding my answer. Let him sweat a little bit. The Mercedes is in a parking lot a few blocks away, and after such a heavy meal, I’m thankful for the slow walk. After a balmy day, an evening chill has settled. I shudder in the baggy sweats and t-shirt, and Dax hastily shrugs out of his hoodie for me. Maybe he is a gentleman after all. I wrap myself in his sea mineral smell, a lingering sadness settling in.
“We can’t be friends, can we?” I keep my eyes on the sidewalk. Dax slides my bandaged hand back into the crook of his elbow.
“It’s not advisable,” he smirks. There’s a playfulness there which I didn’t expect. Wyatt seems to have a short leash on his men, but it doesn’t stop them from rebelling. I put a pin in that thought for later.
“Can I ask one question before we go back to being strangers?” I lean into his side, playing along. Dax pulls me to a stop at a busy road, seeing me across safely before dipping his head to continue. “What’s the deal with Axel? Are he and Garrett lovers or…” That smile instantly becomes twinged with sadness.
“Not exactly,” he twists his lips this way and that. Reaching the parking lot, Dax pauses by a pillar. “As you know, abuse comes in many forms. Mental, physical, sexual…I can’t speak for Axel. His story is his alone to tell, but I’ll say that he requires a certain type of love. It’s not easy to explain but Garrett understands him perfectly. Those two have saved each other time and again. I dread to think what would have happened if-” Dax seems to catch himself from rambling. My chest squeezes, desperate for him to continue. “The five of us are bonded like brothers but sometimes not even we are enough. If Axel were a ship at sea, Garrett would be his lighthouse. I know it doesn’t make much sense.”
Tears threaten to well in my eyes. It makes perfect sense to me. Some of us need that certain someone to be our anchor - Meg is mine. I didn’t realize just how much I’ve been aching for her until this moment.
“I’m glad they have each other,” I smile. An especially cool wind billows, whistling through the levels of the parking lot. We don’t move. I’m content staring up into Dax’s honest eyes, his warmth and cologne seeping into me.
Closing the last inch of space between us, I rest my head on his chest. Arms wind around my back, creating a stolen moment against the pillar which we’ll not discuss here after. It’s rare for me to admit when I need comfort. I’ve been so used to being wrapped in it, surrounded by those who understand me without needing an explanation. I don’t know if I can add Dax to that list, regardless of the way his hands gingerly stroke my lower back, but at least for right now, I can pretend.
Chapter Twelve
“Then what happened?” Meg’s smile leaks through the phone. I struggle to conceal my own.
“Nothing happened. He drove me back to the dorm block and I went to bed.” Standing before my desk, I stroke a petal of my lilies. Kay took in the delivery yesterday, Nixon’s scrawly writing on the greeting card. Each flower stands proudly, in full bloom in a range of pastel colors. Pinks, purples, oranges, and yellows. I pause to smell them while Meg lingers on the other end of the phone line.
“Sooooo…you didn’t hint at a birthday kiss?” she pushes playfully. I wish she could see my eye roll.
“Meg, seriously, the further I stay away from these guys the better. They make my head spin.” I’ve withheld the closet ordeal with Wyatt. If people think I’m feisty, Meg would drive directly to his frat house and hang him with a belt. Lowering my hand from the lilies, I skate my fingers across to a manilla envelope.
“I got a card from Mr. XO,” I attempt a chuckle. Meg goes instantly quiet, the silence stretching on.
“Aves…Are you-Did you open it?” she asks. I toss the envelope back onto the desk.
“No. There’s no point, I already know what it’ll say.” On the front, my name is written in beautiful cursive, and in the corner, the signature ‘XO’. I’ve received the same type of card every Christmas and birthday since I was adopted by the Hughes.
“Isn’t that a bit scary? That he knew where you’d be?” Meg’s demeanor has changed, concern lacing her tone. I know she means well but I didn’t expect Mr. XO to just give up.
“Hardly. I have no doubt my relocation has been all over the internet. Don’t worry, I’ll forward it on as I always do.”
Being wealthy and in the spotlight, fan mail is expected. My mom received so much, she had a PA whose main role was to sift through and pick out the ones she might like to answer. Typically, I only got this one. The contents don't seem to worry the cops, simple verses of staying strong and brighter days. Presumably a superfan of Cathy’s who wanted to send some love my way too after the adoption and he has ever since. If it even is a ‘he’.
“Okay, make sure you do. So what are you-” A flamboyant knock sounds at the door. I almost groan, dreading who’s on the other side of it. Kay is out all day with her new girlfriend and I just wanted some peace and quiet.
“Hey Meg, I have to go. Love you.”
“Don’t forget I’m coming down next weekend! You’d better make a plan, Biatch!” I laugh and end the call. Just before opening my door, I briefly look over my tiny shorts and t-shirt, the ends of my hair slightly dripping from its messy bun due to my morning shower. The knock comes again and I know I don’t have time to change. Garrett is patiently waiting on the other side, holding a tray of coffees with the biggest and toothiest smile spread across his face.
“Why are you smiling like that?”
“Nice people smile.”
“You don’t look nice. You look crazed, and a little bit hungry.”
“I’m always hungry,” he snorts and pushes his way into my now crowded dorm room. In the spot he so recently stood, Axel is lingering a few feet behind. He meets my eyes very briefly, shakes his head and shrugs.
“Would you like to come in, Axel? Or shall I leave you moping out here in the hall?”
“I’m not moping,” he mutters, taking my invitation. He seems tired today, dark circles ringing his eyes. I draw the door closed but not all the way, deciding that one inch of gap will prevent whatever is happening in here from escalating.
