Page 36 of Wallflower No More

Baseball House

Everything Fearless 24/7

Word on the street is there was a big fight at the baseball house tonight. When are these boys going to realize that Axel doesn't play well with others? Especially when they mess with Scarlett. The Longhorn star first baseman will think twice before he throws a punch at a Fearless member again. Bet. And y'all already know Brody McDumbass has a thick damn head—pictures to follow.

Scarlett

Toby has strict orders not to come home to our apartment this afternoon. He's agreed to stay at Fearless House until he picks me up from my office at 7:45. Axel is super intelligent and cannot be trusted. He knows somethings up but hasn't guessed what yet.

Toby picks me up at 7:45 sharp. Axel texted me that he was still at Jared's fixing his computer. He's also sipping on a beer, doing grown-boy shit. His words. Jared is doing his part to distract him. Since Jared is my best friend and Axel is my boyfriend, they must be friends anyway, so it's a win-win for me.

Toby looks at me with curiosity. “Are you sure you want to do this without Axel? Scarlett, he's gonna flip his shit when he finds out about this. And I'm probably gonna get punched in the face. Again.”

I laugh because that does sound like something Axel would do and apparently has done. Poor Toby. “I understand I'm putting you between a rock and a hard place, but we're dealing with somebody's life. People hurt her, and nobody is holding them accountable. This could be a disaster, but what if it's not? Axel wouldn't let me do what needs to be done.”

Toby smiles and reaches out his hand to me. “Let's do this for London, Scar.”

Grabbing his hand, I give it a gentle squeeze. “Let's do it for all the girls that will never receive justice. Toby, it pisses me off, but money allows too many things to be swept under the rug, and that is not okay.”

He agrees. “Jenson's always been a little creepy to me, but I would've never suspected him of something like this. All I had to do to gain access to his small circle was complement his athleticism. Which almost made me shit myself, because all I wanted to scream was bullshit after each flowery sentence left my mouth. Let's tag team him and kick his ass after.”

“Sounds like a plan to me, Tobes.”

“You nervous?” He asks.

“Is it that obvious?” I ask back.

“Totally noticeable.” He laughs when I give him a middle-finger salute.

“When you get there, have a couple of beers, and you'll be good to go. People also are more apt to tell you shit once they know you've had some alcohol.” That's some words of wisdom right there.

Pulling up to the Baseball House, the party is already in full swing. It's kind of early for a college party to be going this hard, but considering that it started at noon today, it tells you all you need to know. Toby rolls his eyes. “None of the guys on the baseball team I like to hang out with are here. Most of them are ready for Jenson and his little bitches to graduate. They can't stand them.”

“Just think, when we prove what he did to London, he'll go straight to jail without the cap and gown.”

“I love the way you talk, Scar.” He replies with a wink.

I've never walked inside this house before, but it's gorgeous on the outside. It's an old antebellum-style three-story mansion with a giant porch on the front and white columns spaced throughout. Looks like something out of an old Southern magazine. Toby opens the door for us, and we walk in like we belong. My eyes canvas the living room until they land on Jenson, who is talking to a redhead. I think her name is Yasmine. Her beautiful, ebony skin shines underneath the chandelier light. He touches her cheek, making my blood grow cold. I’ll make it my personal mission to stop him from getting anywhere near her tonight. Brody spots us from his place in the corner. He jumps up and casually strolls over, his fake smile making me want to act like Axel and punch him in the face. “Surprised to see you here. How did you get away from the old ball and chain?”

I roll my eyes but remember London and paste a fake smile on my face. “And here I thought you were coming over to apologize for calling me Axel's lap dog.”

He stares a hole through me. “Now, Scarlett, that's no way to act when you're a guest in our house.”

My brows furrow in confusion. “Our house?”

“Yes, mine and Jenson's dads are brothers, and our grandparents bought this house for them when they played ball here.” It’s all making sense why they are so close. Always surrounded by rich assholes, that's apparently my lot in the life.

I look towards Toby. “Could you give me and Brody a few minutes to work out our little spat?”

“Sure thing. I'll go talk to Jenson for a few minutes.” He agrees.

Brody's too clever for me to act like everything is fine between us. So, a form of honesty has to happen. My brain won't let me forget to tread lightly because he could be a psycho rapist. Just because he didn't participate doesn't mean he's not just as guilty. “Brody, why did you tell Axel you stayed at school for me?”

He smiles, and it's the smile that I used to love. The one that made me feel weak in the knees, but not anymore. “Isn't it obvious, Scarlett? I want you. You poured your heart out to me, and I lied about my feelings. I was leaving and the whole you being Janet's cousin thing, would’ve created even more drama for you.”

Okay. It doesn't explain why he's been an asshole to me. Why he's a different person than I thought he was? “I understand that my relationship with Axel is like something out of left field, but you only have yourself to blame. You chose not to tell me the truth. And Axel makes me happy. You don't have a right to be mad about that.”

Brody contemplates my answer. Never once did I see this arrogant side of him. Is this a new personality trait, or did my infatuation with him have me blinded? He answers slowly. “You're right. I have no right to be pissed.” He slides a finger down my exposed shoulder, making me shiver, but not from pleasure. Hell no, it's more like disgust. “What Axel doesn't know can't hurt us, right?”