Page 76 of Play Maker

“Preston texted me,” I blurted out.

“What?” Axel shouted and students turned to stare at him. “Sorry.”

He sat down beside me and pulled his chair in close. “What did he say?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t want to read it, so I just blocked him. I can’t—” I whispered, my hands shaking. “I can’t go there.”

Axel took hold of my right hand, placing it on his thigh. He was so fucking warm, and the icy chill that had wracked my body finally calmed.

“When I saw his name, I freaked out,” I admitted. “I ran for the bathroom but?—”

“You didn’t?”

I shook my head. “I’m okay. I talked myself out of it.”

“I told him to call me,” Axel muttered.

“Oh.”

That made me feel nauseous again and I made to pull my hand away, but Axel gripped it tighter.

“I need to confront him about why he lied to me.”

I nodded, too numb to say anything.

“I believe you, Jace.”

The words were a relief and yet, I knew something was still holding him back.

“Do you?” I asked.

“Yes,” Axel replied. “But, it’ll take time for me to get over what Preston did. I thought he was my best friend. Even though we haven’t talked much since high school, I thought that he was honest with me, and I really felt for him when he said that you hurt him. I can’t believe I didn’t see it. He was playing me all along and I should’ve known better.”

“He’s completely charming when he wants something. And very convincing.”

“Like my parents,” Axel hissed. “My mom called me today. She and my father are going to be at the game in Albany. They want to talk to me afterwards. I know it means nothing good.”

“Oh fuck.”

“Clusterfuck,” Axel sighed and squeezed my hand. “Look, do you want to get out of here? I need to forget about that phone call. Let’s go into town. We could play pool or something?”

“Yeah, I’d love that,” I blurted out.

It sounded like we were going on a date.

No. No, no, no. Not a date. Don’t even think of that word.

“I mean, sure, yeah, we can, uh, hang out,” I replied, trying to stay cool but sounding anything but.

Axel nodded and stood up to his full height, but I was frozen to my chair, my face to his crotch. His jeans molded to that impressive bulge, and I remembered just how amazing he tasted. Fuck, my mouth watered.

Maybe Kayden was right. There was something about this library.

I quickly glanced up, but it was too late. Axel caught me.

“Pool?” he asked with a smirk.

“Huh?”

---