Page 239 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 11
Sophie smiled. “I’m really proud of you, Scar. Here’s to new beginnings.”
“To new beginnings.” I smiled too. And then I took a deep breath. I really needed this fresh start. My life had been spiraling out of control recently, and it was time to set it back on track.
This time when we walked into school, Gigi wasn’t there to trip me. It truly did feel like the day I wished I’d had on the first day of school. This re-do was amazing.
Sophie and I stopped at our lockers to get our books for Mr. Halifax’s class.
Axel walked over and leaned against the locker next to mine. He smiled at me. In that way that seemed reserved just for me. “Hey.”
I tried not to let his smile make my heart race. “Hey.”
But then his smile dropped. He peered into my locker and then back at me. “Where’s my varsity jacket?”
“Oh, sorry. I’ll bring it tomorrow to give it back to you.”
“I didn’t ask for it back.”
“Yeah, but I was just borrowing it. And I know you need it for someone else.”
He lowered his eyebrows. “What are you talking about?”
“Gigi told me that you guys have been texting non-stop.” I shrugged, like the news hadn’t made me want to cry. But I was not going to cry on my fresh start day.
Axel laughed. “I texted her once. On Friday. After you went against our deal.”
I slammed my locker closed. “That’s not what she said.”
“Well, she’s mental.”
“You really shouldn’t call your new girlfriend mental.” I tried to step around him, but he blocked my path.
“I texted her one time. That was it, I swear. And I only did it because you flirted with Jacob right in front of me. We had a deal, Scarlett.”
“No,youhad a deal. I don’t want anything to do with it.”
“You agreed to it.”
“I was under duress!” God, I’d already decided Axel wasn’t going to be a part of my fresh start. So what was he doing standing here trying to mess it up already? “Axel, I don’t know what you want from me. After we talked on Friday, I...” my voice trailed off. I’d told him I’d always pictured my first kiss with him. And he hadn’t said a damn word in response. “You’ve barely said two words to me since our...talk.” I didn’t know what else to call it. Did he not remember my confession or something?
“Yeah, we haven’t spoken much because I was pissed that you came to the party in the first place. Which I told you. And I’m even more pissed at you for breaking our deal.”
“Well, get used to it. Because I’m going to keep breaking it. I have a date with Jacob today.”
Axel laughed. “You’re seriously going on that ridiculous ice cream date?”
“I’m going on a very romantic ice cream date with Jacob, yes.”
“You hate leaving campus for lunch. Come on. Just come to lunch.”
“You don’t know me as well as you think you do. I’m going on the date. End of story.”
“Are you sure you want to do that?”
The way he said it was laced with venom. He wasn’t touching me, but it felt like he had a hold on me. Somehow pulling me closer. And I knew the meaning of his words. He was asking me if I was sure because there would be repercussions. He’d keep texting Gigi. He’d break the deal too. He’d kiss her.
The thought made me slightly queasy, but I wasn’t backing down. I was done letting Axel mess with my head. “Yes, I’m sure,” I said, even though I wasn’t. I was worried that seeing Gigi kiss him again might kill me.
But what was I supposed to do? Just sit around pining over Axel forever? Screw that. And screw him. “Oh, and get your shit together and start handing off the ball to Jacob again. You’re going to make Empire High lose our first game of the season.”
