Page 16 of Axe-identally Married
The pause made my heart skip a beat. The reaction confused me, but it was hard to deny that I wanted to spend more time with Willa. Get to know her. Maybe even become friends. Because she was fucking awesome.
How the hell had I never noticed before?
“But in the meantime,” she said, “no one treats you like that and gets away with it. Got it?”
“I’m used to it. Everyone hates me,” I admitted. “For what happened with Lila and then how badly I behaved after…” I trailed off, not in the mood to recite my rap sheet again.
She narrowed her eyes. “What happened with Lila? That’s not fair. You were wrong for each other, and you both made mistakes.”
Huh. That was unexpected. I was used to being the asshole who broke the heart of the sunshine beauty queen. She broke upwith me, but that didn’t stop the town gossips from spreading the word of my misdeeds.
“Thank you for saying that.”
She nodded. “I get it. You wanted different things. Lila told me everything. About how you really want kids and she doesn’t. So while you hurt my best friend, and I’m allowed to be mad at you for that, I can’t hate you. Relationships end, people move on, and hopefully, we all learn something in the process.”
Chastised but also a little amused, I nodded.
“And—” Now she was poking me in the chest. I was easily a foot taller than her, but clearly, my size didn’t intimidate her. “I can’t believe you stood there and let Owen speak to you like that. You tower over him. You could take him out with one punch.”
“I’m not a fighter,” I said, spreading my arms. Even as a kid, I was huge. Everyone had always been afraid of me, on and off the ice. But I’d never been a violent or aggressive guy. Maybe if I had been, I’d have had a longer pro career.
Head tilted, she smiled. “Good. Toxic masculinity is such a turn-off.”
Heat crept into my cheeks at the comment and the way she assessed me. This conversation had taken an interesting turn.
“Really?” I said, taking a step toward her. “And what are your turn-ons?”
She spun and strutted toward the bedroom, her ass swaying in the fluffy robe. “Stop flirting, Hebert,” she called over her shoulder. “We’ve got damage control to do. Now order more coffee from room service. I’ve got to work up the courage to call my parents.”
Chapter Six
Willa
How did one explain this kind of predicament to their parents?
Hi Mom and Dad. Sorry, but I’m struggling to handle the pressure of my chosen career and family obligations, so I went to Vegas, wore a bikini, got drunk, and married a virtual stranger.
God, I was the worst.
More than anything, I wanted to go back to my suite and shower, but Magnolia would no doubt be waiting for me, and I could not face her right now, especially after lying to Lila.
She’d been texting my phone nonstop, and with every message, my guilt grew.
Magnolia
What the shit is going on? Why didn’t you come home last night?
Did you really get married?
Are you okay? How did this happen? Do you need me?
I mean it. If you’re in trouble, you know you can ask me for anything. I can make some calls.
Seriously. I can help. 50K in small bills in a duffel bag? A gun? A jet to take you out of the country? Please text me back so I know you’re okay.
What the hell? You never worry me, and now I’m worried. I know a hostage negotiator. Met him at a scuba retreat in Belize. Don’t ask. But I can call in a favor.
I’d been sofocused on what a shitty daughter I was that I had completely forgotten that I was also, in fact, a shitty friend to Lila by not only marrying Cole, but by lying to her and claiming to have been in love with him behind her back.
