6. Brina

6

brINA

I've been trapped in my condo for almost a week now, and it's ridiculous. I'm over it. I mean, I'm happy to stay at home; in fact, it's my favorite place to be, and I always prefer to be here. Especially since I have my spare room set up in a studio slash office, which makes my job a thousand percent easier. But when you're forced to stay home, things change like nothing else.

Huffing, I walk around my seating area in my living room for the millionth time because I'm antsy. Typically, when I'm like this, I go to the park down the street, another perk for why I picked this place, but I can't now because the press, nosy neighbors, and hockey fans are camped out there.

There are even signs from hopeless romantics being waved in the air chanting "Give him a chance" whenever I'm spotted. It's utter mayhem.

My phone dings, and I cringe. The notifications have been shut off for most of the week, but then Willa gives me crap when I'm not on the platform when Axel is doing another live video.

Thankfully, he's only doing them once a day, and he treats them like we're on a freaking date. I can't believe it, but I haven't watched them when they're going live. I don't want people seeing me on there at all, but I do watch them afterward.

But this has to stop; I need to be able to leave my house.

I open the app, and Axel's rugged face is instantly in the frame, and I suck in a breath at how much he affects me. I've never been a girl who crushed over boys growing up, and I'm not a woman now who swoons over men like Pavlov's dogs, but this man seems to affect me in a way that forces me off balance. I can't tell if I like it or not.

"This week is so boring. I can't even get on the ice. Can you believe that? Coach says I either have to stay home and rest or I can watch game tape. I've picked game tape, so at least I can see how to get better for the game. Now, love, if you would go out with me, you could save me from my boredom. What do you say?"

He cocks his head and lifts his brow, and a bunch of comments roll up the screen.

I'll go out with you, Ruiner.

What's wrong with this chick? It's more like she's the one with the concussion.

Who the fuck ghosts The Ruiner.

Man, you're a legend on and off the ice.

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Walk away, dude! She's obviously not that into you.

"No, okay. I'll keep trying, love, because you're well worth the wait."

I swear this man has talked more in the past week than he has in his entire life. This woman must be amazing. I hope they get together. This is so adorable.

Sighing, I roll my neck around and bunch up my shoulders. This is crazy. Who does this? Obviously, he's been hit in the head way too many times.

"I've been watching the movies you talk about on your channel, and I have to say romcoms aren't as bad as I thought. Some are really funny, actually. I never get into movies. I get antsy and need to get up and do something, but with the forced recovery, this isn't a bad way to spend the time."

My heart melts. I mean, he's not only spouting off into the camera but also noticing and checking my comments.

"I have to say, I understand how you like the eighties classics because they're more coming-of-age, especially for a young woman as beautiful and classy as you."

A ton of heart emojis and awes come scrolling along the screen.

"But I'm partial to anything Sandra Bullock. She's fucking hilarious and doesn't care about looking ridiculous. That scene with the bonfire was fucking hilarious. "

I smile, and my heart beats a little faster. If he's willing to watch the fluffy movies on his own, he'd be willing to watch them with me, right?

Visions of curling up on the couch after a delicious meal, the fire roaring, snuggled up against his side with a big fluffy blanket wrapped around us, lying on his chest watching one of my favorite movies, have me hormonally panting for the man.

I shake my head.

Sheesh, my idea of lady porn is a lot different than others.

Axel continues to talk and mentions a few movies he's always liked, which are given men's movies, but I smile when he mentions Rudy and how that seems to always be an athlete's go-to film.

I open the comment box, and the blinking cursor hypnotizes me as I debate what to say. Deep down, I know that this is going to be the most important comment of my life. Everything is going to change. Right now, it's a blimp of my life, but if I reply what I want to, then my life is forever changed.

The blinking cursor teases and haunts me as I lick my lips and suck in the bottom one.

Okay, Axel. We can go on a date .

Eight simple words and my life is not going to be the same. I sigh and jump in my seat when a loud yell comes from the screen.

"Yes, love, you won't regret it, I swear. Guys, she's going to go on a date with me. Whoo." He claps and has a giant grin on his face. I don't think anybody has seen him smile so wide.

I smile at the screen, too, with giddiness buzzing beneath my skin.

Axel's face darkens, and he glares.

I scan the scrolling comments, and while there is a lot of cheering and congratulations, there are a few not-so-nice ones.

Dude, she's fat. Aren't you rich and famous? Get yourself a supermodel.

She's really made you work for it. She's manipulative. Be careful. Maybe find somebody else.

The original joy I had at finally taking the plunge is tempered by reality. It won't stop me from going out with him because I said I would. And with my chosen profession, I constantly get trolls and mean comments. It's the nature of the job, but it doesn't mean it doesn't put a downer in my mood sometimes.

"You fucking assholes, fuck off. Nobody is saying you have to be here and be fucking decent human beings. Love, don't pay attention to anything of this bullshit. You're a goddess, the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. As you can tell, I'm a little obsessed with you, and I have no shame in saying I'm wrapped around your little finger. To everybody else cheering for me, for her, for us, thank you so much. Later."

The screen goes black, and then the next live feed scrolls up on my screen. I close it, but a notification pops up stating I have a message from Axel.

I click on it.

Thank you, love. I swear you won't regret it. Can I talk to you? I need to hear your voice.

The nerves are rolling along my skin, and my stomach is queasy as his phone number pops up.

I set the phone aside and walk around my room a bit, and then I go to the bathroom because I'm so nervous I have to pee. It's annoying, but what's a girl to do?

My phone lies on the coffee table, and I stare as message alert after message alert lights up the screen.

"Okay, Brina, it's time to put on your big girl panties and get this done. You're a woman of your word. You said you would go on a date, and well, there needs to be talking." I sigh, grab my phone, and sit on the edge of my couch.

Hovering my finger over Axel's phone number, I count down from five, hit the call button, and then the phone rings. It doesn't finish before Axel's voice comes over the line.

"Oh, thank fuck, love. I've been desperate for you to call."

I grow silent, and I blush, which is crazy. I mean, I'm alone in my condo, and it's just his voice, but his voice is raspy and deep, and it brings up all carnal thoughts.

"Hello. Gorgeous, you there?"

"Um, yeah, I'm here. Hi."

"Hi. You have no idea how good it is to hear your voice. I want to apologize for the live videos, but I've needed to connect to you in some way."

It amazes me how shy and reserved he sounds now. He's always so in command and takes charge, but his voice is softer and more intimate now, and it has my core heating up and tingles ascending my body.

"Thank you. I accept under one condition."

His slight chuckle has me shiver. Even that's sexy. His voice alone does something strong for me. Thoughts of him whispering in my ear as he's deep inside me has me whimper.

I clamp my mouth shut and blush as I cover my eyes with my hand as if that can stop the embarrassment.

"Love, you okay?" His voice deepens, and my panties are ruined for sure now.

"Yeah. Um, the condition is you can't do those live videos anymore. I don't want us to be public fodder anymore."

"Done. No problem. It's just you and me."

It's just you and me.

Have there ever been sweeter words grouped together in the English language?

Nope, I don't think so.

"Talk to me, love."

"What do you want to know?"

"Everything. I have to know everything. Start wherever you like. I just want to listen to you speak and get to know you. "

I get comfortable on the couch.

"Can you ask questions? It's easier for me to answer than just start talking about myself. I may be an influencer, but I have something to, well, influence." I giggle. "So it makes it easier for me to talk. It's not about myself."

"I love that laugh."

I blush, grab one of many throw pillows, and hug it as I settle in.

"But yeah, I can ask you questions."

"Good, but I'm going to ask questions too. I need to get to know you, too."

"Love, I'm an open book. I'll tell you anything and everything you want to know because you're mine."

I gasp and can't deny the rawness of his statement because there's a tidal wave of need building inside me that entirely agrees with that statement. Now that I've stepped over the cliff and accepted we're closer to each other, I have this urge to call him mine as well, but I'm not sure I can trust it because none of this makes sense.