Chapter 5

CHAPTER FIVE

L et’s Go Throw Some Axes

Charlotte

Ruby and I are sitting at a long dining table in the hockey house. She’s working on a paper and I’m reviewing the players’ social media accounts. The house is calm without the guys here, and it’s a relief to have some peace and quiet while I process that Iam spending the next few nights living in a house full of hot hockey players.

My phone pings.

I look down and see Raph’s name on the screen. “Are you fucking kidding me?” I blurt, staring at my phone slack jawed.

“What?” Ruby eyes me with concern.

“Raph wants us to talk. He said he took some drugs that one time and ended up in bed with the girls by accident. He said it made him act crazy and he’s so sorry.”

“Hell no, he cannot talk his way out of this,” Ruby asserts firmly, her blue eyes round.

“I’m not going to answer him. I’ll just delete the message,” I assure, and I do just that but then another message comes through.

Raphael: Please

Raphael: We were so good together

“Charlie?” Ruby says my name as I remain fixated on the messages. They make me feel sick to my stomach. I really didn’t know Raph. I would never be with someone who uses drugs. It’s not my thing.

“He sent more messages.” I blink. Then I erase those too.

“What does he want?” she asks, her eyes are now narrowed like they are shooting daggers to Raph through the phone.

“To talk. He said we were so good together, but fuck that,” I retort, placing my phone on the table. I run my fingers through my hair, inhaling deeply.

“We should go out. It’s the first week of school. I don’t even know why I am doing homework. There’s a new bar Briar was talking about. Some axe-throwing place. I think throwing some axes sounds like a good idea right now. We can picture Raph as the bull’s-eye.”

“I want to throw an axe at Raph’s dick,” I mutter.

“Yes, well, we don’t want you getting in trouble for castrating him.” She smiles sadly.

“But he does deserve to be castrated,” I emphasize.

“He really does, but I think we should leave the fate of his dick up to karma

and just go out and have a good time,” Ruby suggests, packing away her books and laptop.

“You’re right. I just feel like such a fool,” I admit.

Ruby watches me with what looks like a mix of pity and sadness. “Guys suck.”

She isn’t wrong. Every time she meets a guy, he turns out to be a player who just wants to get in her pants and move on. Problem is, Ruby is all for monogamy, but university lifestyle is akin to the Wild West when it comes to relationships. It feels like people are only about sex these days, like they have an aversion to really getting to know someone.

“They do,” I agree. “Even Finn sucks. I mean, he was nice enough to want to help me get over Raph, but he admitted he isn’t a relationship guy. Not that I would want him. I wouldn’t. I just don’t understand what’s up with guys these days,” I stumble over my words. Finn Heaton is a hot asshole. I don’t understand why I couldn’t stop thinking about him today, other than he gave me the only orgasms I’ve ever had and he was so hot.

“Let’s go throw some axes. I’ll call Briar and Annie to join us. We don’t need men. Fuck them and their dicks,” Ruby proposes.

I burst into laughter. “I mean, we kind of do need to fuck their dicks to get off.”

“You know what I mean.” She rolls her eyes and stands from the table. “Let’s go put on some cute dresses.”

“Yeah, okay,” I agree, even though I feel like crap. I know I need to get out and stop overanalyzing my stupidity with Raph and now Finn.

Ruby messages Briar and she responds that she’ll be by the hockey house in ten to get us. I head to the room I am now sharing with Ruby and slip on another plaid skirt this one is pink blue and white and a pink tank top, and I pair it with my combat boots.

“You aren’t seriously going to wear boots in this weather.” Ruby watches me like I’ve lost a marble or two.

“I’m comfortable. I’m not putting on heels to impress anyone. This is me and if some guy doesn’t like it, then he’s clearly not for me,” I reply. “Besides, I thought we were having a girls’ night.”

“We are,” Ruby confirms. “But if there are hot guys throwing axes there. . .I mean, that could be sexy.” She bats her lashes and fans out her honey blonde hair. She’s wearing a black bodycon dress that hugs her figure like a glove.

I head out of the room. “I’m seriously happy the guys aren’t here. It makes things less awkward,” I say loudly to Ruby.

“Hayden said they aren’t home much, and on the weekends they are travelling a lot to games.”

“I’ll be travelling with them on the weekends we don’t have meets,” I remind her. “At least part of the time I will be.”

The team still has a full-time social media coordinator.

“You’re so lucky,” she says, following me.

We enter the kitchen. It’s new and modern with white cabinets and stainless-steel appliances.

“Wow, this is nice,” I say, taking it in.

“I know, that’s why I asked Hayden to take us in.” Ruby grins.

“Sure, that. . . and you wanted to live in a house with hot guys.” I smirk because I know my friend.

“Can you blame me?” She fans herself. “Too bad my brother and Macklin have probably warned all the guys to stay away.”

“Anything I should know about the guys?” I ask as Ruby takes two glasses out of a cabinet. The fridge has filtered water and she begins to fill her glass and passes me mine.

“Aaron is super nice too, but he gets around. Cade is super in love with his girlfriend, who is a big bitch. Basically, they all get around. It isn’t their fault. They are all good-looking, in great shape, and on the hockey team. Girls flock to them.” She shrugs.

We drink down our water. “I feel clueless that I didn’t know who Finn was. I reviewed his socials and girls are literally stalking the guy.”

“He’s the whole package, Charlie: smart, insightful, dashing. Finn is nice to me because of Hayden, but he isn’t very friendly with girls. He’s known to be a big ass,” she warns.

“Yeah, well, I just need to figure out how to not be awkward around him after last night. It’s been kind of hard when I know how glorious his dick is and how good he is with his mouth,” I admit dryly.

“Holy shit.” Ruby’s palms come together in front of her face. “I feel terrible about Raph, but I am just so happy you finally had a good sexual experience.”

She’s talking about all the fake orgasms I had with Raph. I couldn’t figure out what the problem was. Now I am thinking it was our chemistry.

“I’m happy too. I just wish it was with someone nice and someone I could possibly have a round two with,” I reply. I lift my finger. “And before you recommend I have round two with Finn, remember there are fraternization rules involved that I would never break, and he clearly doesn’t go for a second round with a girl.”

Ruby’s phone pings. She looks down at it. “They’re here.”

We head to the door. Ruby has a key and she locks it, and we head into Briar’s SUV.

We drive off to the new bar. Finn’s shaggy brown hair and gorgeous green eyes enter my mind. I blink. Do not start fantasizing about him, Charlie, he’s a lying player. The girls are hyped about throwing axes.

My phone pings and Raph’s name lights the screen.

Raphael: Where are you? I just came by your dorm and saw it was evacuated.

I sigh.

“Is it him again?” Ruby asks from beside me in the back seat.

I nod.

“Is that asshole texting you?” Briar asks, her voice laced with venom directed at Raph.

“He’s been texting her all night,” Ruby announces, and it’s one of my friends who mutters a curse.

“It’s fine, guys. It doesn’t matter. I’m ignoring him,” I assure my friends.

“Don’t forgive him, Charlie,” Annie advises from the front seat. “You remember Chase, the guy I dated first year?”

“We all remember him,” Briar says. She isn’t wrong. Annie caught him cheating, but he squirmed his way back into her heart and she forgave him. Then she caught him cheating again and she swore off guys for a full year.

“Gah, just thinking of Chase makes me want to throw an axe,” Annie growls.

“I hear you. I can’t wait to swing the shit out of an axe,” I agree, as Briar pulls into the parking lot.

There is an antique wood looking sign that says Fair Shot Axe Throwing. Below those words in small print it says, bar and grill. The parking lot is full and we luck out when Briar snatches a spot from someone who has just left. As we walk up to the new bar, I can hear the sound of music and voices from inside. The place is bustling and has a good vibe.

We head inside and register for an hour of axe throwing. Since our area will be available in fifteen minutes, we are guided to the bar to wait. We all order drinks, ranging from beer to the hard stuff. Given my mood, and the fact I’d like to erase Raph’s existence from my mind, I opt for a lemon drop shot, since it seems to be the cheapest option on the menu. Annie joins me.

The bartender lines up the shots. “Here you go, ladies.”

Annie and I both nod to each other and lift our shots. “To assholes and forgetting them,” I toast, clinking my shot glass with hers.

“Hear! Hear!” she says, and we both throw back the shots.

It’s a tangy sour tasting shot that makes me shiver.

“Let’s go for another,” Annie suggests.

“Um, you guys need to be able to throw the axes in the right direction,” Ruby reminds.

“Oh, one more shot won’t matter,” I retort and Annie agrees.

We order another shot. This time I toast, “To new beginnings.”

“Ooh, I like that.” Annie giggles. “And my cheeks feel warm.”

“Mine do too.” I giggle.

“You two are such lightweights.” Briar laughs.

“We so are,” I agree and down the shot.

We get called to head over to our axe-throwing booth. One of the workers at the bar gives us a lesson on safe axe throwing. We all get very hyped. When our teacher walks away, a waiter comes by and asks for our drink orders.

“I’ll have a lemon drop,” I say.

“Dude, you’re going to get drunk,” Ruby says, as if that wasn’t the point.

“So?”

“Have you actually ever been drunk?” she asks because, in my over three years at Riverside U, I’ve never gotten to the point of drunk. Slightly tipsy maybe, but definitely not drunk.

“We have practice tomorrow and you have to be up early for the team,” my responsible friend reminds.

“Thanks, Mom, but I think I can handle it,” I assure her.

The rest of the girls order their drinks.

“You know what? Make it two lemon drops,” I tell the waiter.

“Sure thing.” He smiles like he thinks I am cute.

“Okay, who wants to throw first?” Briar asks.

“Me?” Annie says, stepping forward. She picks up the axe, swinging her red hair over her shoulder. She holds the axe up. “This is so freaking cool.” She throws the axe, making a guttural sound. The axe doesn’t hit the mark and stick. Instead, it falls to the floor. Annie bursts into laughter. “I can’t even get axe throwing right.”

“Go again,” I urge. “Don’t give up. Make that mark your bitch,” I holler.

The waiter brings our drinks and everyone takes their drinks, so I take mine too and down them both. Beside me I hear Ruby sigh.

Annie throws the axe again, this time nailing it. She doesn’t hit the center of the mark, but she hits it a bit off to the left and we all cheer her on.

“Okay, I’m next, guys,” I announce, stepping forward. “I’m picturing the mark is Raph’s face.”

I pull the axe and get ready to swing just as Ruby shrieks and says, “Hayden!” My axe doesn’t make it far and clammers to the ground.

I turn around to see Finn standing beside Hayden, and with them are Aaron, Cade, Macklin, and Luc. Just my luck.

“You can do better than that.” Hayden smiles.

“Ruby distracted me with her shriek,” I counter. “I’m going again.”

Finn’s gaze locks with mine. Heat crawls up my neck, but I am also beyond tipsy, which gives me courage. My eyes narrow on him and then I turn away and pull the axe back.

“Shit, be careful. She’s drunk,” Macklin warns, ducking to the side.

He isn’t wrong, but the axe still feels heavy to my arm, “I. . . got. . .” I hold the axe back. “This.” I throw as hard as I can, picturing Raph’s face like I originally planned.

“She’s going to miss,” someone beside me mutters.

Only I nail the mark on the bull’s-eye.

“Yes,” I cheer, pumping my arm in the air. When I look off to the side, I see it was Finn who said I would miss. “You think you can do better?” I challenge.

A slow smirk spreads Finn’s too sexy lips. “Oh, I know I can.”

“Is that the story you’re selling?” I reply, and he gives me a weird look.

He walks over to the mark and takes the axe. He walks back to the point that’s marked for throwing.

“Let’s go, Finn,” Macklin cheers.

Finn cranes his neck from side to side. Everyone is silent as they take him in. He’s clearly assessing the situation. I am definitely athletic but I am also halfway to drunk, so I’m guessing hitting the mark was a complete fluke. I also know Finn was being an asshole, and I am just sick of those.

He throws the axe and misses the bull’s-eye, the axe landing slightly to the left.

“Damn, too bad,” I say, clucking my tongue.

Finn gives me a pointed glare. “You hitting the mark was pure luck.”

“It was skill, but who am I to argue?” I retort, feeling brave.

“Come on, bro.” Cade smacks him in the chest. “Our booth is ready.”

My luck, their booth is right next to ours. I try not to look at Finn. He may be sexy as hell, but he’s a complete ass.

The guys order drinks and Ruby hangs between our two booths talking with Hayden.

When a blonde comes up to Cade and sticks her tongue down his throat, we are all shocked.

“That’s Scarlett,” Ruby whispers. “Cade’s girlfriend.”

We try not to look but Cade pushes her off him. “What are you doing here?” he asks quietly, but they are so close it’s hard not to listen.

“I wanted to see you, baby,” she says to him, running her hands over his strong arms. He seems cold toward her.

“Don’t baby me, Scar, you’ve been going out all week. Now that I am out with the guys you show up?” he asks, and he sounds hurt not angry.

“Baby, it’s the start of a new year. My friends were dragging me to parties,” she coos, still running her hands all over him.

We are interrupted by our waiter. “Can I get anyone a refill?”

“Me.” I raise my hand, as if I’m in a classroom. “I’ll have another lemon drop.”

“Me too,” Annie chimes.

Briar doesn’t get another drink since she is driving, but Ruby orders a beer.

Another text comes in and I pull my phone out of the little fanny pack I have around my shoulder.

Raphael: I need to see you. Please tell me where you are staying.

“Is that him again, Charlie? Because I swear,” Ruby begins to mumble curses.

I nod.

“Tell him to fuck off,” Briar insists.

“I need to pee,” I announce, bouncing from leg to leg. I turn away from the girls and look for a bathroom. My body is warm and I have a good buzz going. I don’t want to let Raph or moody Finn bring me down. I go to relieve my bladder and as I walk through the bar, I spot Raph sitting with a bunch of his friends who are international students. Some of them he lives with. I duck my head, not wanting him to see me, and I quickly walk back to my friends. But just as I am about to reach the girls, I feel a hand on my arm.

“Charlotte.” His voice is smooth and his French accent is sexy, but I know better than to fall for his lies at this point.

I pull out of his grip. “Go away.”

“Come on, we need to talk. There’s been a terrible misunderstanding. I haven’t been able to sleep. I miss you,” Raph declares, looking sad and afflicted.

“Can I help you?” The voice is stern and comes from behind me. My head whips back to see Finn standing at his full height, his burly arms crossed in front of his chest.

“We don’t need any help. Thanks,” Raph says to him.

“Look, buddy, I don’t know what your deal is,” Finn begins, taking a step toward him.

“Wait?” Raph says, looking between me and Finn. It’s like he’s trying to place him. “You’re the guy my girlfriend took off with.”

“I’m not your girlfriend anymore,” I counter.

“Come on, Charlotte,” Raph says.

“You should walk away,” Finn says, his voice stern. He flexes the muscles in his arms and, damn, it’s hot. His whole alpha move is making me wet, even if he is a big prick.

“Charlotte, please hear me out,” Raph pleads.

My insides are shaking. I just want him to walk away and leave me alone.

“Do you want this guy here?” Finn asks me.

I shake my head and blink.

“Leave now,” Finn orders, his voice firmer. “Before I force you to.”

Raph lifts his hands in surrender. “We need to talk, Charlotte, but I see now is not the time.” He ducks his head and turns away.

I blow out a breath but I’m shaking.

“Are you good?” Finn asks.

I nod. “Thanks.”

Finn nods and turns back to the guys. I notice they watch him curiously, but no one asks any questions and they go back to throwing their axes.

The girls surround me. Annie hugs me on one side and Ruby on the other.

“I’m fine,” I assure my friends.

“That was so hot,” Briar whispers, leaning into me. “Very unexpected from the captain.”

“Nah, he’s a good guy,” Ruby says.

“He may be good, but that was super-hot,” Annie says, waving a hand in her face.

“Okay, I need you guys to hush. I work with those guys now, so we can’t be calling them hot. They can probably hear us,” I insist.

The waiter comes by, and I take my lemon drop off his tray. I throw it back and give my body a little shake, like I am trying to shake off all the bad vibes and memories of Raph. Then I get back to axe throwing with my girls.

I nail another axe in the bull’s-eye and when I look to the right, Finn is watching me. His face is stone-cold and his jaw is pulsing.

I turn away and high-five Annie, Ruby, then Briar. Then we huddle around and chat, and by the time we leave Fair Shot I am thoroughly drunk and happy.