Axel's Daisy

55 • Axel

  "How the heck do you tie this thing?" I had to endure Brady's constant nagging as he struggled with the colored ribbons draped over his arms.

  "It's not rocket science, Brads. You do it like this." I demonstrated through the metal pole.

  He tried to mimic me, but the ribbon slipped through the pole. He shot me a frustrated look before trying again. It halfway worked until the ribbon gave up and flew away.

  "Fucking hell, I'll just set up the table," he grumbled, grabbing a cloth from the box.

  I had already done the work for the big surprise. She had been through a lot with her dad and work. Plus, I wanted to give her the matching bracelet and ring.

  Brady had informed me that he talked to Jade and everything was in place. I wanted to finish up quickly before the after-party.

  After bantering with my best friend and putting on the final touches, we were set. I stood at the front while Brady disappeared around the back. Jade's black BMW arrived, and I ignored the heavy jitters in my abdomen. Destiny got out, and Jade waved at me as Brady approached her to drive off and leave us alone.

  My redhead arrived, still in my jersey and her sexy skirt. Her smile widened when she saw the area decorated with colorful daisies in a circle around me. There was a narrow walkway leading to me, and she covered her mouth in amazement. Her eyes flashed with happiness and glistened with tears as her hair softly flowed behind her while she walked toward me.

  She was simply my girl. The girl who was selfless yet unafraid to be herself. She was loved everywhere—well, except by our fans.

  Everything in my past life had been all about football. I never dated much; I talked to a few girls at parties, but that was about it. I wasn't the type to break hearts or be the popular bad boy. I respected girls enough not to play them, even if they wanted to.

  She was a game changer for me.

  My arms found their home around her, and she hugged me back. Then, I held her at arm's length and began to speak.

  "Destiny, we've been through a lot of hard times together and also shared special moments. All I know is that I never want to lose you," I said, kneeling on one knee and opening the box. She stepped back with a gasp, tears streaming down her cheeks. "This is a promise from me to you that I will try my best to make you the happiest and cherish you forever. I love you, Destiny Sanders. Will you be my promise to forever?"

  "I love you, my Golden. Thank you for all of this. Of course, I will be there no matter what. I will be all of your tomorrows and all of your forevers." Her voice shook with emotion, making me a bit teary-eyed as well.

  It felt surreal to have someone care for me and love me—I was an emotional mess. Everything in my life had felt lifeless and dead. I lived by my dad, but I wanted to be selfish and live my life.

  I slipped the daisy-shaped ring onto her finger and then clasped the simple yet elegant bracelet around her small wrist. Our fingers soothed each other, and I escorted her to the middle of the circle as we slow danced to the music coming through the small speakers on the sides.

  "Axel, this is so perfect." Her voice cracked as she looked up at me.

  "It's the least you deserve, baby. I'd do even more for you."

  "You're so sappy." She chuckled when I twirled her and pulled her back to my chest, our arms around each other.

  "Only for you," I whispered in her ear. I could feel her heartbeat when we returned to our previous position, her chest against mine.

•••

  I had to shield my ears from the girls' shrieks and shot a glare at Brady as he held Destiny, crushing her in a hug. It was even louder than the blaring music at Jake's house. It was more like a rave than a party.

  He gave me an innocent shrug and looked lovingly at Jade. Two girls in tight black dresses approached us and grabbed our arms, trying to talk, but Destiny and Jade shut them down when Destiny took my hand.

  The girls sneered at them and walked away.

  "I leave you for two minutes, and you still have girls around you," Destiny screamed into my ear. I laughed at her sour expression, and she slapped my shoulder with a pout.

  Cole and the other guys approached us with red Styrofoam cups filled with who-knows-what. I wasn't an alcoholic; I usually went for light mixed cocktails, and Brady knew that when he handed me a vodka tonic.

  "You guys aced it," he cheered loudly. Then he glanced at Destiny beside me, but I quickly held her hand, and he looked away. "Did you choose your scouts yet?" he asked.

  "I'm going to go with Kevin. He offered me part-time work that pays higher and a scholarship," I answered.

  "I'll probably go with Lance; he gave me a good sports program," Brady replied, his arm around Jade. She looked uncomfortable with Cole's interest in the guys, as they had only seen him once at Brady's party.

  As they continued the sports talk, Destiny leaned her head on my chest. I checked my phone and saw it was eleven PM before putting it back in my pocket. I brushed her hair behind her ear, noticing she usually got sleepy around this time.

  I placed an arm around her waist to steady her as I heard her tired breaths and chuckled at the sweet girl. Cole and the others headed for a dance, and I finished my drink before setting it on the table.

  "Have you heard about Violet's return?" Reign said, his eyes dazed from how much he had drunk. "She came back hotter than before."

  "They said she has a baby from another guy, but she gave it up," Jake added.

  "It was from Jona Devens."

  What the heck?

  She told me I was the only one she got slept with.

  "How are you guys sure about that?" I asked.

  "She told us, and someone leaked the DNA test. Guess she paid the price for her popularity," Cole chimed in.

  "They also mentioned that there was a guy who dated her, and she told him he was the dad," Alex said.

  "Wasn't it you?" Cole asked, his innocence masked by darker glints in his eyes. It felt like a punch to the gut.

  "No," I said, looking him dead in the eyes. "I was only with her in ninth grade, and then we broke up." I said it matter-of-factly. It was ridiculous that everyone had that kind of information and I didn't.

  "Let's get out of here," Brady suggested, nudging me. I glowered at Cole before we walked out of the party with Destiny in my arms.