Axel's Daisy

51 • Axel

  The field was bustling with activity, covered with various advertisements as workers prepped for Tuesday night. Reflecting on past games, I realized they would soon become cherished memories. I promised myself not to let uncertainty about my future passions affect me. Perhaps I'd discover them in university.

  Things with Destiny were going great. We hadn't spent much time together recently—she was swamped with studies and work, while I was consumed with football. The team was determined to win this year after narrowly missing the championship last season. I hoped to turn the tide for them.

  "Finally in a good mood today. Thanks to Destiny?" Brady's voice jolted me from my thoughts. His smirk told me Jade had shared our news.

  "There's a difference between a one-night stand and loving someone," I said, wiping sweat from my brow. He patted my aching back, and I continued, "I want to take it slow with her, to truly get to know her and love her properly."

  "That's wise. Destiny's got you on a leash," he joked, a mischievous grin on his face.

  "Jade's got you on a leash too," I teased, watching his expression shift from playful to serious.

  He rubbed the back of his head and looked away. "I'm planning to propose to her," he confessed, a faint blush creeping onto his cheeks. My eyes widened in surprise.

  "No way. You're still in university. It's a bit soon, don't you think?" I said. As much as I wanted him to be happy, it seemed premature.

  "I know, I should probably wait until after college. But I just want her to be a constant in my life," he admitted.

  "Why not just get her a promise ring?" I suggested.

  His eyes lit up. "That's a great idea. I owe you one for that. Let's go now."

  We finished practice, and Coach Landon gave us a few hours off. We raced to his car, where Brady tried to cheat with a shortcut, but I beat him to it.

  "Are you like a Spartan or something?" he asked incredulously.

  "Just jealous," I replied with a smirk, and he punched my shoulder before we drove off.

  Brady played party remixes as I texted Destiny. I promised to visit her flower shop, which I'd heard was quite fancy. We both shared a hard-working mentality and a drive to fulfill our parents' wishes.

Hey, I'd like to order the most gorgeous flower in the shop

  Her reply was a question mark and a confused emoji.

I want my Daisy forever

In that case, I want my Golden forever

She responded, adding a blush emoji and a golden heart.

  "Dude, please tell me you're not sexting in my car," Brady groaned.

  "Hell no. You'd know if we did," I smirked at his disgusted look.

  "I love you, bro, but keep your junk away."

  "And I quote, you watched it grow," I shot back.

  We laughed and shoved each other as he parked the car.

  The ring shop was stunning, filled with simple yet elegant rings. One particularly caught my eye—a flower ring that seemed to match Destiny's eyes. I also found a daisy-shaped bracelet that complemented it perfectly. I was finally using my mom's money for something meaningful—her guilt money, and this felt right. Brady chose a promise ring with their initials engraved.

  After thanking the salesgirl, who smiled at me a lot, and receiving the bag with the ring and bracelet, I planned out my proposal after our big game tonight. I could already picture Destiny's reaction.

  "Hey, it's you again," a familiar voice said.

  I turned to see the green-eyed girl from the beach, now in shorts and a white crop top.

  "Yeah, hi," I greeted awkwardly, feeling Brady's intense stare.

  "Hey, are you feeling better?" She reached for my arm, but I pulled away with a tight-lipped smile.

  "Yeah, thanks. We need to get going," I said.

  She retrieved a pen from her bag and wrote her number on my palm. Her grip was firm as she finished.

  "Text me later," she said with a wide smile before walking off.

  "It's not cool to cheat on my girlfriend's best friend," Brady said mockingly. I rubbed the pen mark on my palm.

  "Good boy," he said, patting my head. I twisted his arm playfully in response.

  "What did you say?" I teased.

  "I need my hand for the game," he begged. I laughed and let go.

  We passed by Jade's house, leaving the bags in the car. When we arrived, Destiny ran into my arms, wrapping her legs around my waist. I peppered her face with kisses. She looked drained and had lost weight.

  "Hey, Golden," she greeted.

  "Hey, Daisy. Did you have lunch?" I asked, concerned.

  She shook her head. "I just finished work and didn't have time to eat because we were studying for tomorrow's exam."

  "I'll make you a sandwich," I offered, gently setting her down.

  "Yes, please," she said excitedly. I smiled at her, but her gaze shifted to the smudged number on my hand.

  "Baby, it's nothing. I just didn't have water to wash it off," I explained. Brady and Jade were already inside the house.

  "I trust you," she said calmly, surprising me. I hugged her tightly, resting my face on her neck and kissing it.

  As we entered the kitchen, I washed my hand before making the sandwich. Destiny's phone buzzed between us, and she quickly answered it, but then rejected the call.

  "It's him, right?" I asked, my jaw tightening.

  She bit her lower lip and nodded. "What does he want?"

  She hesitated before answering, "He wants to give me a whole flower shop."

  I took her phone and dialed the number from her recent calls. She jumped onto my back, begging me not to, but I was too riled up.

  "Hello, Destiny. Are you going to come and check it out?" He began.

  "Don't call my girlfriend. She doesn't want your fucking flower shop," I said loudly. "If you call from another number, I'll report you for harassing my girl." I ended the call and blocked his number.

  Destiny frowned at me as I handed her back the phone.

  "You didn't have to do that. I wasn't going to reply anyway. I rejected him at the party," she said, crossing her arms.

  "It's not the first time he's called you, is it?" I pressed.

  She avoided my gaze. "It was yesterday... and before that," she admitted softly, showing me her phone screen with red crosses next to his number.

  "I trust you, baby. I just wanted to warn you about him," I said, cupping her cheek.

  "Do you know him?" she asked, shock in her eyes.

  "I've heard bad things about him. I don't know him personally, but be careful," I warned. She nodded.

  "That's my good girl," she said, pushing me playfully. I laughed and handed her the sandwich.

  We shared a kiss, and she gave me half of her sandwich. I smiled at her, the ring still on my mind.