“Lina’s on some antifungal crap for this nasty foot thing,” he blurts, and runs before I can strangle him.
“I donothave a nasty foot thing!” I whisper-yell.
Jessie cringes. “Yikes. Sorry I asked.”
“Not my business,” she adds, hands raised like she’s surrendering. “Anyway… I talked to Rachel. She really wants to apologize for yesterday. Will you eat lunch with us again so she can make it right?”
I hesitate. I really don’t want to talk to Rachel again, but I cave with a nod. Everyone deserves a second chance, right?
Jessie smiles. “Great! Oh, and don’t tell her I said this, but... Rachel’s been feeling kinda threatened in her relationship with Axel because of you. That’s why she acted like a bitch.”
Her words land like a sucker punch.
I zone out as Jessie continues talking, her voice becoming background noise.
Threatened?
I flash back to Axel’s comment about my underwear. The flirty grins. The tension. Thewinks. I’ve been telling myself that’s just how he is with everyone, but maybe it’s not. Maybe it’s just with me.
And if that’s the case, I’m the problem.
God. I feel like the biggest bitch.
I spend the entire morning in a fog. The guilt gnaws at me. I didn’tmeanto be a threat to Rachel, but that doesn’t mean I’m not. Axel’s the one in the relationship. He should know better. But if I were in Rachel’s shoes? If my boyfriend was joking about another girl’s lingerie? I’d be crushed.
No wonder she hates me.
By lunchtime, I’m dragging my tray toward their usual table like a zombie. Axel and Rachel are already there, laughing together. She tosses her shiny, dark hair and smiles at him like he hung the moon.
She looks so happy. Like she belongs next to him.
And just like that, I hate myself all over again. No matter what I do, I attract attention from people I shouldn’t. What’s wrong with me?
“Can I talk to you?” I blurt, way too loudly, as I set my tray down. Four sets of eyes snap to me, but I’m only looking at one.
Axel stands without hesitation. I turn on my heel and head toward the courtyard, knowing he’ll follow.
Outside, the heat hangs thick in the air, but at least it buys us privacy. The courtyard’s deserted, and the massive oak tree in the center gives us enough cover to be out of sight. I pause behind it, gathering my thoughts.
“What’s going on? Are you okay?” Axel asks, brows drawn tight.
“I’m fine,” I snap, irritation rising. “The real question is, would yourgirlfriendbe fine if she knew you were cracking jokes about my panties?”
“Girlfriend?” He has the nerve to look genuinely confused.
“Yes,girlfriend! Or did you conveniently forget about her while ogling me last night?”
He gapes… then bursts out laughing.
My blood boils. “This isn’t funny! God, you’re such an ass. You know what? I’ll just tell her myself and let you deal with the fallout.”
I spin on my heel, but he grabs my arm before I can escape.
“Lina, stop! Come on, bring that cute ass back here—”
“That! That’s exactly what I mean!” I whirl around to face him. “It’s not cool, Axel. And stop talking about my cute butt!”
His eyes light up like a Christmas tree.
