Fire Meets Ice

Chapter 19: Jealous

Alexa felt a  sense of liberation, her heart lighter than it had been in years. For the first time, she had opened up about her life—the jagged edges of her past, the hurts she had carried, and the anxieties that had held her captive. And she had shared it all with Marcus, the man who made her feel like she could soar higher than she ever thought possible. Letting go of her pain had brought a change to her heart, her mind, and her very outlook on life.

Minutes passed and Marcus glanced at his phone to check the time and sighed. "Hate to be the one who ruins the moment," he said, his tone apologetic, "but I just realized I need to hustle. Practice starts at 11."

Alexa's smile was tinged with disappointment, but her voice was light. "Bummer. That must suck, but good luck out there. You've got that vibe—you know, like you're always ready to wing it and win."

Marcus chuckled, leaning casually against the doorframe. "You're not wrong. I definitely improvise more than I prepare when it comes to games. Keeps things interesting." He straightened, his grin widening. "Life's either a daring adventure or nothing at all, right?"

"Absolutely," Alexa replied, her voice soft but certain. Then, with a teasing smile, she added, "Fireball."

His brow quirked, amusement flickering in his dark eyes. "Fireball? That's new. Is that my official nickname now?"

She shrugged playfully. "Only if you like it."

"Oh, I like it," he said, his voice low and warm. "You should call me that more often." He reached out, ruffling her hair with a gentle hand. "Good luck to you too, kitty," he said as  he stepped back toward the hallway.

Alexa stood frozen for a moment, warmth blooming in her cheeks as she watched him go. The door clicked shut, but her heart was still racing.

I'm feeling drawn to him more and more each day...He draws me closer like a magnet.

When she met up with Anya at MOOD shopping mall, they sat down near a bookstore for a coffee drink. Anya had been told everything from Marcus about what Alexa told him.

"Marcus told me about everything," she began, her voice heavy with sincerity. She leaned forward, her eyes locking onto Alexa's. "I don't even know what to say. Alexa, I'm so sorry for everything you had to go through."

Alexa gave a small, bittersweet smile. "Thanks, Anya. It's been... a lot."

Anya shook her head, her frustration apparent. "I wish we'd met much earlier. If we had, I swear, I would've smashed both of your exes into pulp. Especially your second ex," she said, her voice sharpening with venom. "That guy is nothing but a f**ked-up sinner who preys on innocent girls. It makes me sick."

A surprised laugh escaped Alexa's lips. "Wow, you sound so much like my bestie from undergrad. I call her Miss Anti-Bullshit sometimes."

"Really?" Anya's mood lightened slightly, her curiosity piqued. "What's her name?"

"Megan," Alexa replied, already scrolling through her phone. "You've got to see her Instagram. You'll be shocked at how much she's changed since high school."

Alexa passed her phone to Anya, who scrolled through Megan's posts.

"Wow," Anya said, handing the phone back. "She definitely gives off badass energy. But... I don't know. In some of these pictures, she almost looks angry."

"That's because she's been through a lot. Too much, honestly," Alexa explained, her tone softening. "Mentally, she's been abused over and over."

Anya's shoulders sagged slightly. "She must've been really sweet and shy before all of this, huh?"