Page 1 of Conveniently Yours

ONE

SCARLETT

FIVE YEARS AGO

"Scarlett," I hear Berna, my friend shout as she waves her hands in the air, a huge smile on her face. "This is so freaking cool. God, I love your brother, he throws the best parties ever."

I shake my head. The past three years have been hell. My parents died, and that left Noah in charge of me. There's a seven-year age gap between Noah and me, he's had to take on the role of parent to me, and it's halted the plans that he had.

I adore my brother, but he's all about the party lifestyle and wanting to have as much fun as possible. Every weekend there's a party in our house, and thankfully, today is the last day I have to suffer through one. I'm not a party type girl, I'm more of a head stuck in a book type. But tonight, this party is for me. I've finally graduated high school, and I'm leaving for college next week. I'm moving over an hour away and plan on doing a business major.

"Have you seen him?" Berna asks.

My brows knit together. "Seen who?" I ask, wondering who she's talking about.

She sighs. "Noah, have you seen him?"

I can't help but grimace. Berna has never made it a secret how much she wants Noah, and I find it sickening to think of her and my brother together. But they're both of age and can do as they please. "I think he went outside," I tell her. "Be careful," I warn. I know my brother; I know what he's like with women. He's not the type to settle down. Not yet, anyway.

She flashes me a smile. "Always," she says as she moves away, her body gyrating to the music pumping through the speakers.

I glance down at my empty glass and sigh. I should get another one. After all, it's a celebration. I weave my way through the throngs of people dancing until I reach the kitchen. The only person who's here to celebrate me leaving is Berna, but even that, I think is partly with her wanting to get with Noah.

I fill my cup with the beer and take a sip. It doesn't taste great, but I'm not complaining. Free booze is always a plus.

"Hey, Scar," I hear the deep baritone voice of Axel, and my body immediately comes to life.

Axel Beckett is Noah's best friend and the boy I have had a crush on since I was fourteen. He's tall, sandy blonde hair, and piercing green eyes. He's gorgeous, and just like my brother, he likes women.

"Hey, Axel," I say with a smile as I turn to face him. "Noah's outside," I tell him and go to move away.

His hand snaps around my wrist, and he pulls me to a stop. "Where are you going, girl? Are you in a rush?"

I blink, confused by his words. "No, just thought you'd want to go to Noah."

He flashes me that grin, the one that makes my heart pound, my breath catch, and my knees weak. "It's not his party, it's yours. I came to see you."

My lips part in surprise. "You did?"

He shakes his head. "Seriously?" he mutters. "You need to open your eyes, darling, it’s been you all along."

He's not making any sense. I have no idea what he's talking about. "Um, thank you?" I say, unsure as to even respond and thinking that's the best way to do so.

He throws his head back and laughs. "Fuck," he says through his laughter. "You're so damn sweet."

"Are you okay?" I ask.

He nods. "Come," he says as he intwines his fingers through mine. "Let's go talk."

I nod, knowing that I'd follow him to the moon, but I'm still a little unsure of what's happening. He leads me upstairs and into my bedroom, the moment he closes the door, my heart races, my hands become sweaty and I'm staring at him with wide eyes. The music from downstairs is just a thrumming bass.

"Look, Scar," he begins as he stands before me, his smile so damn perfect he takes my breath away. "I'm going to say this once, and if you don't want it, then I'll leave you be."

I blink. "What's going on, Axel? What happened?"

He shakes his head. "Settle, Scar, it's nothing bad." He runs a hand through his hair and sighs. "Fuck, I don't know what the hell is wrong with me. I've never been the one to get shy, I always say what I feel and be done with it. But this is different, it's more."

I move toward him, my heart still racing and my feet unsteady. "Hey," I whisper as I reach out for him. "Whatever it is, it's fine," I tell him. I've never seen him this way before.

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