Axel's Daisy

33 • Axel

She looked vulnerable, her eyes stormy as she glanced at me then to Violet. I fought the urge to comfort her, maintaining a poker face.

"How did you find my house?" Jade's voice cut through the silence.

"Brady told me," I replied tersely, my gaze fixed on Violet, who was wearing a red summer dress.

I needed to clear the air and prove her wrong. I nudged Violet to speak.

"Hey... um... I know you guys hate my guts, and I'm not sure what was said, but I'm here to clear things up. We were together for only two years, and we've known each other much longer," she said, directing her gaze to Destiny, who had glassy eyes. "There's nothing more to it. I just needed to talk to him for closure. Nothing happened between us."

Destiny stood frozen, her eyes wide with disbelief. The truth hit her like an anchor, shattering everything she had believed. Her world tilted on its axis, leaving her grasping for stability in the face of this unexpected revelation.

The same words I had once spoken to her, the words she hadn't believed. I wanted to prove I could be someone she trusted. Jade was also speechless, her eyebrows furrowed as she tilted her head.

"Thank you for clarifying, Violet."

Violet nodded and walked away to her Mustang. Her family was wealthy in car manufacturing. She was here on a short trip and wanted to end my fears.

The letter she had left me before she traveled had been shocking. She had told me she was pregnant, but the baby had died before developing. She had no soul in her, and her body was incapable of bearing a child.

I comforted her, and we reminisced about our school days. We had been reckless teenagers, and in some ways, we were both at fault, but we needed closure to move on.

I told her about Destiny and how it felt like she was the one for me. Violet was surprised and disappointed, as she still had feelings for me, but she did me a favor nonetheless.

Some things had to remain hidden, but there was no threat since we were the only ones who knew. It was all in the past now, and I focused on my future.

She was my future.

"I'm going to be in my room. You guys talk to each other," Jade advised before heading upstairs.

Destiny sighed. "I'm sorry I went through your phone. I shouldn't have done that."

"I'm sorry for reacting so strongly. It was wrong of me to lash out at you like that," I admitted, seeing her gaze soften.

Destiny approached me tentatively, her heart racing with a mix of longing and uncertainty. As our eyes met, the misunderstanding and hurt melted away, replaced by a deep longing for connection and forgiveness.

I inhaled her sweet vanilla scent as we embraced.

"I was scared of losing you," she confessed as I wrapped my arms around her waist and twirled her.

"You'll never lose me, Des," I promised, a vow and an agreement to never do anything to hurt her. We understood that we would always have fights, but we'd come out stronger.

"I trust you, Axel. I was just afraid of what might happen if Violet came back." Her insecure side showed, and I was moved by her sensitivity.

"Nothing will happen. You're it for me, Daisy." I reassured her, leaning down to kiss her tender lips. She kissed me back with equal fervor, as if she had missed me.

•••

I woke up in the morning with Destiny nestled in my arms. The softness of her breathing and the warmth of her body against mine were comforting. I gently brushed a stray strand of hair from her face, marveling at her beauty in the gentle morning light. She pressed her face closer to my chest, her hand resting in a fist on my stomach.

It was late. Jade had taken us in after we reconciled, letting us stay the night in her spacious guest room adorned with golden chandeliers.

Lucky guests.

Destiny stirred, fluttering her eyes open lazily. I planted butterfly kisses from her neck to her jaw, then to her lips and forehead.

"What time is it?" Her morning voice was a melody to my ears.

"Ten a.m."

"Oh, shit."

She untangled herself from me, dashing to the bathroom to brush her teeth quickly. She found black sweats that matched the oversized dark shirt she wore. She threw them on, snatched her phone, kissed me hastily, put on her shoes, and threw a "text you later" over her shoulder before running out.

I laughed at her hurriedness, then groaned at my stiff back as I stretched out on the bed. Jade's head peeked in without knocking.

"Where's Destiny?" She asked.

"She went back home."

"How?" Jade came into full view, wearing jeans and a plain red shirt.

"I don't know," I shrugged.

Jade's eyes widened as she stormed off, and I was confused until she returned, cursing under her breath.

"She took my car keys!"

I immediately understood what she wanted.

"I can take you to Brady's house. I'm going there anyway."

"Sounds good, but I'll drive." She didn't wait for my response, giving me a thumbs up and heading downstairs.

Suddenly, a crash was heard from outside.