Page 6 of Wallflower No More

“Umm...Yeah. I'd love nothing more than to call him Daddy.”

Bambi rolls her eyes. “Ew, Scarlett. He's like super old. Unlike you, Axel.” She laughs and runs a hand up and down his well-muscled bicep. Making me roll my eyes as he flexes. He gives me a smirk. “Yeah, Scar, he's like super old.”

I chuckle. “You say old, but all I heard was experienced. I never have to worry about games with an older man.” Winking at him, let’s see how giving him a dose of his own medicine tastes.

He's lethal. “Bambi, seems like we can’t invite Scarlett to the party later. She has no taste.”

Bambi beams back at him. “I don't think she'd want to go anyways. She just stays in her room and studies her young life away. Isn't that right, Scar?”

Smiling mischievously. “Yeah. Totes. And you can call me Scarlett.”

Axel laughs. Obviously, catching on to my sarcasm. He nods at me, then turns back around in his seat. Bastard. He wants to make me jealous. Well, the game is on.

Toby laughs under his breath. “They still don't know you moved out?”

“Not a clue, bro. You know my feelings on all things Janet. Living there was torture. A part-time job and a side gig here and there, and I live in this luxurious studio apartment off campus, haven't gotten robbed once, but it’s so expensive.”

We laugh, and my heart plummets to my feet after I notice Axel's shoulders moving slightly. Has he been listening to our conversation? I'm starting to believe I really am a nut job, and this is all in my head.

“My cousin, Dani, is moving across campus with Jake. She was going to have to pay both rents until we found another roommate. You game?”

Excited at the prospect, I blurt out, “Am I?? Please don't tease me, boy. How much is her part of the rent?”

“600 even.”

“Are you joking? You better not be joking! That's 600 cheaper than my studio, and the best part is I didn't have to sign a lease. Not to mention, I'm scared some psycho has a copy of my key.” Toby looks perplexed, but I smile so he thinks I'm joking. But totally not.

“Can you come by today and meet Sasha and Dani? It must be a unanimous decision, but you already have my vote.”

“Absolutely. I’m excited.”

Toby texts the girls to see if they can fit me into their schedule for an afternoon meeting. I'm working at Java Jerry's today after class. It's one of the best coffee places on campus. My tips are always good, and my coworkers are mostly cool.

Axel stares at me with a ghost of a smile hiding on his beautiful face. The chiseled form of his stubbled jaw makes shadows dance up and down. Drew Bates walks in the classroom door next. My blank expression transforms into what I hope is a breathtaking smile. Drew has always flirted with me, but he had a one-night stand with Janet our freshman year, and I wouldn't give him a chance. He's on the baseball team with Toby. “Well, as I live and breathe, Drew Bates, are you following me?”

We had several classes together last semester, so he'll know what I'm referring to, but Axel, who is giving us both the death stare, won't. Drew seems like a great guy, and I feel a little guilty leading him on. If not for the whole Janet thing, I'd have totally gone on that date.

His dark brows arch in surprise, but it doesn't take him long to paste a panty-dropping smile on his angel-like face. “I'd follow you anywhere beautiful.”

I giggle because Drew is hot, and Axel is seething. Toby looks on with curiosity. He's a gossip within his friend group. He never tells outsiders, so it's only a matter of time before Axel's friends find out about this moment. The look on Bambi's face is almost comical. She can't believe both guys are only paying me attention.

Drew walks over to sit next to me, but Axel jumps up and climbs over his desk to our row and sits there instead. Without even looking at me, he brings my desk to where it touches his. Toby clasps his hand over his mouth to cover the laugh that comes out anyway. There is an audible gasp that fills the room. My eyes are wide as saucers, and Axel puts his arm around the back of my chair.

I smile sheepishly at Drew in apology. He smiles back and walks to the other side of the room. Axel parts my hair over to the side and whispers in my ear. “Was that necessary?”

I scoff at his arrogance, trying to ignore the goosebumps his being this close does to my body. “I don't know. Why don't you ask Bambi?”

He laughs. “My flirting with her was uncalled for, but I wanted you to realize how you’re not answering me last night made me feel.”

The Alphahole! He makes me grit my teeth so hard I'm scared they'll break because he’s flipping insane. “We’re not in a relationship, Axel. We can both do what we want.”

His jaw clenched, but he doesn't say anything else. Surprisingly, Public Speaking goes by in a flash. Even though I'm hyperaware of the Adonis beside me, our first assignment will be an easy one. We have to give a maximum of a two-minute talk on why we chose our major. I wouldn't even have to write my first speech if rambling wasn't in my DNA. Before Axel can stop me, I bolt from my seat and get the hell away from my obsessed stalker.

Living off campus has its perks until it doesn't. Changing into my work uniform in the disgusting public bathroom is not my favorite, and I always feel so unclean after doing that, but what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I clocked into work with seconds to spare.

“How busy will we be tonight, Scarlett?” Jared, my best friend, asks casually, but I know better.

Looking around the cafe and in the parking lot, we are pretty dead when usually it’s packed around this time. Jared and I take daily bets on the busyness of the day, and at the end of the month, the one with the most correct guesses wins that money, baby! Jared and I are tied 10-10. Whoever guesses right tonight will get that $100 pot! I could use that money for the new apartment. “I say 30-40 people by the end of the shift. What do you say, Jared?”