Perhaps Axle’s hazel eyes, crooked smile, and easy charm were what put me at ease and made me lower my guard. He said I trust too easily. I thought I knew him. I never imagined him to be so heartless. Vera said there were other girls... how many? I feel so stupid. Everyone warned me about him. I guess some people don’t change and I’m going to be the laughingstock of the town.
I snuggle into my pillow and close my eyes, taking deep breaths. I need sleep to take the pain away because I need peace, and moments later, I finally get it.
My eyes open to the buzzing of my phone and the bright light of its screen. It’s dark outside. I check my phone and see eight missed calls from Axle. It’s getting late—it’s eight thirty. Mouth dry, I rise and drag myself to the door. I take a second to get myself together to face my roommates before I open the door and go downstairs.
I had hoped they’d all be in bed, but voices are coming from the living room.
“Elena,” Lucy calls out. I pause and slowly pivot to see them sitting on the couches. Then I spot my boss with them.Could it get any worse?I fake a smile, then turn and go to the fridge to get a bottle of water. I don’t even get a sip down before Lucy and Jasmine are standing directly in front of me.
“What happened?” Lucy asks in a small voice.
“It’s Axle, isn’t it? I told you he’d break your heart,” Jasmine says in the same tone Grace used. “He slept with me, then ignored me like I never existed. Don’t take it personally—it’s just who he is.”
Don’t cry. Don’t cry.I clear my throat. “We broke up.” Lucy places her palm on my arm. “I’m going to go back to sleep,” I tell them. “Have a good night, you two.”
As I walk away and reach the bottom of the stairs, Cameron calls my name, making me halt and internally groan as he walks over.
“Is everything alright?” he asks.
I nod. “I’ll be okay.” I try to sound like I’m fine, but I’m not and I don’t know if I ever will be. Cameron puts his arms around me and hugs me tightly. I cringe, feeling uneasy, but to not make it even more awkward, I pat his back with one hand.
He pulls back with a smile. “If it’s about the biker, I’ve always known you could do better. You don’t want to get yourself mixed up with those types of people.”
“Those types of people” make me narrow my eyes. He has no idea what the MC stands for and who they are. Axle might have broken my heart, but I refuse to listen to people bad-mouth the MC because I know they are good men. I pull myself out of his hold. “You don’t know them. They served our country in the military and are a friendly bunch of people. I have no idea why you think so poorly of them, but I’d appreciate it if you said nothing negative in my presence.”
His eyes widen. The silence is loud. He rubs the back of his neck. “Sorry.”
No, he’s not.I look at the stairs. “I’m going to bed.”
“Are you coming to work tomorrow?” he asks.
Just the thought has me cringing. “Sure, I’ll be there tomorrow.” I’ve had time off. I can’t afford to give up another shift.
“Both shifts?”
At least it will keep my mind busy. “Yes,” I reply. “Good night.” I dash up the stairs before he keeps talking to me. My shoulders are heavy and my chest aches. I don’t feel like discussing it with anyone, so tomorrow is going to be hell with Mel. I go into my room, then change into my pajamas.
After I lie down, I grip my phone. My thumb hovers over the notifications. I don’t think I could talk to Axle now, but I do want to read the messages.No!I force myself to turn the vibration and sound off before turning my phone upside down, the screen facing the nightstand. I drift off to sleep.
From the momentI wake up, I see Axle’s face. I swallow forcefully and rub my chest, recalling Grace’s words. Axle warned me he’s poison. I should have listened. I so easily ignored the red flags that kept popping up with everyone warning me about him.
After I shower, I change into my work clothes. I feel slightly better from the hot water and the fact that it hid the tears that silently flowed. I walk down the stairs and bolt out the door, trying to avoid my roommates. When I step onto the porch, I freeze. The War Brothers MC truck is outside, with Cash behind the wheel.
Of course. My car hasn’t been fixed. My head falls back. How am I going to get to and from work every day? I stroll to the truck. “Thank you for picking me up. You didn’t have to.”
He grins, though the sympathy in his eyes is unmistakable. “Yes, I did. Axle’s working on your car now.”
My stomach plummets. “He’s fixing my car now? Out the front of my work?”
“Yes,” he replies.
“I would rather not see him.” I blink furiously, trying not to cry. But I know I need my car fixed and I have to go to work right now.
“Do you still want to go?” Cash asks.
“Yes,” I reply with a heavy sigh. I don’t want to, but it’s not like I have a choice. I stare out the window on the short drive.
Cash parks the truck. Before I get out, I say, “Thanks for the ride.” As I’m closing the door, I peer up at my car and see Axle jogging over to me. I turn away from him and quickly walk toward the restaurant until I feel a hand grasping my arm. When I turn to him, I shake my head, glaring at him.
