Page 16 of Wallflower No More

Jaxon Williams saunters up and gives me a once-over. I laugh. “Can I help you?”

“Yes, beautiful. Can I have your number? I seem to have misplaced mine.” He smirks. This boy! Oh, but he's really a man. Well, over six feet tall, lean muscle, a beautiful smile, just beautifully masculine. I take his outstretched hand, and he brings my knuckles up for a chaste kiss, making me giggle. Okay, I see you, Jaxon.

Hector Rodriguez pushes Jaxon out of the way. “Stop hogging her bro!”

Jaxon almost falls on his face but manages a narrow escape with his dignity intact. Hector pulls his cap off and bows. “Please to meet you, ma'am.”

I curtsy. “The pleasure is all mine, I'm sure.”

“So, you want to hang out with-” Axel comes out of nowhere and slaps a handful of mud on Jaxon's shirt before he can get the rest of the sentence out. If jealousy were a person, it would be Axel Creed. He turns his muddy hand toward me, making me scream like a girl. Running away from him was not my best move because he, of course, chases after me. I trip over a stump, taking him down with me. He wraps his arms around me and positions us to where I land on top of him.

Mortified. Shocked. Scandalized. All the things. Recovering quickly, I try to escape him, but he holds me still. “Umm....thanks for the save.”

He smiles. “You're welcome.”

“I'm sorry you’re all muddy now.” I give him a sheepish grin.

Axel takes his hand and smears mud on my cheek. “It's okay. Now you are, too.” I could get used to this playful side of Axel.

Chapter 11

The Higher the Hair, the Closer to Jesus

Everything Fearless 24/7

Is Axel Creed off the market, ladies? To the millions who follow this account, $50 to the first one who brings me proof. You're welcome, and as always, happy hunting.

Scarlett

It takes the boys about thirty minutes to get Jared's charger unstuck. All of them were shirtless, and my eyes enjoyed every minute. Axel wanted to ride with me in my truck, and then he got pouty because it was a no for me. He might have been a gentleman and broken my fall, but I draw a line regarding mud in my car. Jaxon is sitting beside me, and Hector is by the window. They pushed and shoved each other until Jaxon eventually won the coveted seat next to me. It was comical, and honestly, I can't tell you which one I'd rather win.

Axel is riding in the back of my truck bed. Apparently, no one else wanted him to ride inside their vehicles either. Partial responsibility for that falls on my shoulders because most of the mud came from him breaking my fall, but he's the one who made me run. My cheeks redden when I think about how good his body felt under mine. For him to be so masculine and fit, his skin is softer than it looks.

Jaxon elbows Hector. Then Hector elbows Jaxon, and so on and so forth. “Do I need to put you two in time-out?”

They laugh. Jaxon leans forward and gives me a wink. “No, ma'am.”

“Can I—” Jaxon elbows him again. “Ouch, man! Okay. Can WE ask you a personal question?”

Well, I hope this doesn't take a turn for the worse. How do you politely turn down a threesome without making it awkward? “Of course. What's up?”

“Axel is acting strange,” Hector says bluntly.

“Real strange,” Jaxon adds under his breath.

“Is something going on between you two?” Hector finishes.

Part of me wants to ask him how Axel's behavior has changed, but I'm chicken shit so...nope. “Not a hundred percent sure what, but yes, there is something.” I'm unsure what else to say, which means a subject change is in order. “What are we doing tonight?”

Jaxon peaks back over. “Oh, you haven't heard? Check this out. The Delta Gammas are hosting an 80s Skate Night! They've rented out this new rink, hired a DJ, and pulled out all the stops. This will be a night to remember.”

My heart sinks. Although that sounds like fun, it's a no for me. That's my cousin Janet's sorority. Thanksgiving and Christmas are all I can handle when it comes to being around her. She's mean and manipulative. Let the excuses start now. “Dang! That does sound like so much fun, but I have a TON of studying to do tonight. Man, I hope you all have fun, though.” They laugh. I punch only Jaxon because I can't get to Hector. “What's so funny, boys?”

Hector answers for them both. “When you're the Kings of lame excuses, you know one when you hear one. So, why don't you really want to hang out with us?”

I chuckle. “It's not because of any of you. It's the fact my cousin Janet will be there. Yes, that Janet. She's my cousin and the Golden Child of our family, and I really don't want to be anywhere near her.”

“Ahhhh. Well, let me be the first to say I'm sorry. She's horrible, but you can't let her ruin your night.” Jaxon counters.