Page 10 of Axe-identally Married
It was bizarre, really. I was not what would be considered smooth around guys, especially super-hot, massively tall, built guys like Cole. But he was strangely easy to talk to. Maybe because he was my best friend’s ex-boyfriend and firmly off limits? That had to be the reason.
“Then you have come to the right place.” He straightened, his lips tipping up on one side. “Vegas has a way of bringing out the wild. And I can help.”
Dubious, I inspected him from head to toe. Why on earth would someone like him want to hang out with someone like me? “Really? You are a Vegas expert?”
“A washed-up pro athlete with no prospects? Please, this place was made for people like me.”
I’d never seen him like this, self-deprecating and a bit silly. This man didn’t fit into the mold of the guy I’d known my whole life. The guy who’d always taken himself way too seriously and thought he was better than everyone else.
“Are you playing golf with the rest of the group tomorrow?”
“No.” I shook my head. “You?”
“Fuck no. I hate golf.”
Seriously? Could’ve fooled me. Cole’s demeanor screamed popped-collar golf bro. “You seem like a golfer.”
With one brow cocked, he put a hand to his heart. “I take offense to that. My dad was obsessed with golf.” He wiped at the front of his shirt absently. “And since I’ve spent my life hating him, I decided at a young age that I hated golf. I’m sure it’s a delightful way to spend a day, but I’ve come this far. There’s no going back now.”
I laughed, again taken aback by his honesty.
“Since everyone else is playing golf tomorrow, why don’t we meet up and have some Vegas fun? We can forget about our troubles and ignore the way all our people have left us behind.”
The thought alone settled me in a way I didn’t think possible.
I should sleep, maybe get a massage and catch up on my journals.
But when he looked at me like that, his brown eyes sparkling, there was no way I could say no.
My impression of Cole Hebert—and growing up in a small town with someone made it impossible not to make and hold on to those impressions long past their usefulness—was thathe was an entitled, arrogant jerk who lived a life of minimal consequences and maximum partying.
But if our conversation tonight was anything to go by, there was more to the story. And despite my better judgment, I was curious.
“Okay,” I said softly, dipping my chin. “Tomorrow.”
He rubbed his hands together, grinning. “I won’t let you down. You wanna get wild, Dr. Willa Savard?”
I laughed and nodded. “Why not?”
“Then I am the man for the job.”
Chapter Four
Cole
Afaint buzzing roused me, but my eyelids were glued shut. And fuck, my back hurt like a mother.
The buzzing sound stopped, then started again. On repeat. Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.
Fuck.
I picked up my head and forced my eyes open. Blinking, I took in my surroundings. Why the hell was I on the couch in my room? The white sofa was large, but not anywhere big enough to serve as a suitable bed for me. My knees hung over one side and my injured hip was screaming.
Groaning, I rolled off the couch. I hit the floor hard, pulling a pillow down with me. Pain shot through my hip as I flipped onto my good side. Breath held, I adjusted my position, desperate to ease the discomfort. Had I lost a fight last night? Why did everything hurt?
And what in the fucking hell was that noise?
Before I could figure it out, a terrified scream pierced the air.
