Axel's Daisy

59 • Axel

The day just kept getting better.

Because the woman right in front of me made me sick to my stomach. I heaved a deep breath in irritation and Brady glared at her before he went up to his room.

She invited herself in. My nails scratched my skin from how I balled my fists. She tested my waters to the fucking rim and I had enough of it.

"Axel."

"Maria."

  She scowled at the mention of her name.

  "I missed you."

  Her words should have felt like home, but they were more like daggers. I was void whenever I was around her.

  I couldn't call her my mother anymore because it didn't feel like she was.

  Her eyebrows lowered in anger when she didn't get a reaction nor a reply from me. Dad used to tell me that mom and I had the same eyes, we looked alike a lot, but I definitely didn't want to be anything like her.

  Then, in that moment, she placed her hands around her stomach and I stepped back in anguish. No, this isn't happening.

  "Get out." The venom in my voice made her stand still. "I said, get out!" I roared and she covered her ears as her crocodile tears made an appearance before she saw my glower again and decided to finally leave.

  I pulled my hair after I bashed the door closed and Brady descended in a haste, he stopped me from pacing by placing both arms on my shoulder and my chest ached, I felt horrendously sick and I attempted to take deep breaths.

  "What did she do?"

  "She's fucking pregnant, I can't believe it." I covered my face and my throat constricted when my heartbeat raced. I was going to be a step-brother, how could she do that? How dare she do that?

  A baby from another man who wasn't my father. She had to rub it in my face and boast about it. It made me want to beat shit up. Anything. Maybe I was going to take it out on Cole for what he said.

  "What the actual hell? How did she end up knocked now?" Brady voiced out my own thoughts and he saw how I felt badly fucked up, he made me gently sit down and I wanted to hurt anyone around me.

  "Brady, get me out of here. I wanna go to Cole and punch him."

  "Yea, man, what he said was out of line," He stood up, "let's go then."

  We stormed out to his Jeep and I received a text from my girlfriend, but it was a bad timing to reply. I wasn't in the right headspace.

  "Kick and fly style? Or TKO style?" Brady quizzed me and I rolled my eyes.

  "A good jab or two, he eye fucked my girl."

  "Oh if I was in your shoes, I would settle for a death sentence," he insinuated.

"Might think about it."

If he wasn't our popular long time friend.

"We're here."

•••

  The party was on full swing. Semi naked girls dancing and guys jumping around, Alex came with a beer and a broad smile on his face.

  "Hey guys," he was elated then his smirk turned to a scowl when he saw our faces. "What's wrong?"

  "Where's Cole?"

  "Over there at the bar." He pointed.

  I strode faster with Brady behind me and I tapped on Cole's shoulder. As soon as he shifted to see me, I punched his jaw and it sent him flying to the other bar stools, knocking a couple on the way.

  After I landed the punch, he staggered back, his face contorted in pain. I watched him shake off the daze and steady himself. With a fierce glare, he lunged at me, fists swinging. His movements were swift, fueled by anger. I barely had time to react before he was on me, and we were locked in a chaotic struggle. His strikes were wild but powerful, each one driven by raw emotion. Despite the adrenaline surging through me, I had to stay focused, anticipating his next move to defend myself and counterattack.

  We had a brawl before Brady and Alex pushed us away from each other. My lip stung and he had bruised jaw.

  "What the fuck is wrong with you?" Cole snapped as he cradled his jaw.

  "I thought you were my friend, but friends don't put others under the bus and look at their girlfriends."

  Alex and Brady circled around us with crossed arms, ready to interrupt if another series of punches broke out between us — Cole and I were close as friends, but then he met another group of guys and clicked with them, whereas for me, I only had Brady as the closest and we bonded too. We were still one big group, but it wasn't the same anymore.

  "Listen," Cole sighed out, "I kind of had a crush on Destiny way before you knew each other and now that she's with you, I forgot about it," he avoided my eyes, then looked at me, "as for throwing you under the bus, it wasn't intended. I just messed up." He shrugged.

  I brushed my arm against my lip, the searing pain dulled and he looked queasy when I stared at him.

  "I'll let this pass this time," I warned him subtly and he gave me a hard nod before we hugged it out.

Alex had his arms around both of us, "that's my cuddle bears."

Reign came in the bar towards us with arms wide, "hey, what about me?"

"Come here, you goof." Brady had his arms around all of us in a group hug.

"Reign, get off my back, you weigh a ton." Alex growled, we could hear the crack sounds his back made.

"Okay, okay grandpa."

"Hey! I'm not a grandpa, it comes with the muscles baby," we pulled away and he showcased his biceps, kissing the muscles.

Alex handed us bottles of wine and we clinked them against each other in a toast.

"To the badass Warriors."