Page 10 of Sweet Hate
We used to communicate with the barest look. We justknew. But now I’m not sure what the look he’s giving me means, and I hate it. My eyes burn with unshed tears and I swallow down the swell of emotion threatening to break my facade.
His other hand cups my face, his thumb stroking along my bottom lip. The familiar move sends a shiver down my spine.
I missed him.
“Haven, I?—”
“Cupcake! There you are. And I see you’ve found Axel again.” Gram’s voice snaps us out of whatever stupor we were both in, and he jerks back, scowling at me again.
Damn—I meangood.
What am I doing? Why am I giving this twat the time of day, let alone letting him touch me? He isn’t the same guy. In fact, I’m not even sure the guy I thought he was ever existed.
This stops here.
She rolls her cart up to us and takes in the mess we’re in with a giggle. Yes. Grams, my eighty-two-year-old grandmother, just giggled.
I’m glad someone’s finding this funny.
“Oh dear, what happened here?” Her eyes scan the floor in amusement. Heat floods my cheeks as I try to find the words to explain today's mess.
“It’s my fault, Grams. I startled Haven.” A smirk works its way across Axel’s face as he quickly glances my way.
This moment gives me a real sense of déjà vu. Axel used to be great at putting me at ease. Stepping in to handle situations,making sure I was comfortable, especially when I got older and didn't feel like I fit in around here.
A pang stabs my heart. I miss that boy. Our friendship. The one I never expected to end.
“Nonsense. It’s no one’s fault. These things happen. Let’s find someone to clean up the floor. Axel, would you be a dear and grab another jar of sauce for us? Why they insist on stacking these shelves to the heavens, I’ll never know.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
He effortlessly reaches over me to grab another jar, his chest almost brushing my nose in the process. I’m once again assaulted by that now familiar leather scent, andwow, the same Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue aftershave he used when we were teenagers.
“Here you go, Grams. Need anything else before I head out?” He winks at her, putting the sauce in her cart and flashing her a blinding smile.
Grams beams back, looking at him like he hung the moon, because of course she does.
My brain stalls, unable to compute this moment. It’s like I’ve stepped into the twilight zone.
Everyone loves Axel. They always have. He’s always been the happy-go-lucky guy who had time for everyone. Everyone except me these days, apparently.
“Oh no, Axel. Why don’t you join us for dinner? We’re making your favorite and it looks like you were planning on making it too, no sense in that.” She waves at his cart where—I shit you not—mince, garlic bread, and lasagna sheets sit. “I remember how you demolished it with Havey every week. Plus, I’m sure you’d love to catch up with each other. It’s been so long.”
Beaming with pride she looks between us expectantly. I can’t even bring myself to look at Axel right now, choosing to studythe white spot of sauce seeping into my pink sparkly Converse instead.
“Uh, thank you, Grams, but I can’t today. The guys from the firehouse are heading over for dinner to watch the game. Raincheck? I really should get going or they'll beat me home.”
Relief floods me, and fine,maybea little disappointment too…but we’re not going to talk about that right now.
He bends down to kiss her papery cheek before glaring my way above her head.
Cold, hard eyes stare at me for a split second longer. “Hurricane, it’s been a pleasure.” With that he turns, swaggering back down the aisle. Whatever he had to say forgotten, and any trace of the boy I once knew long gone.
I don’t care.
I've not heard from him in over a decade. I really don’t need to start now.
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