Forever Burn

by Trinity Lemm

  “Are you okay?” he rushed over to me, inspecting me for any injuries.

  Jason stood and lifted his elbow back, preparing to land a punch to Axel’s face, but Axe’s reflexes were too fast, catching Jason’s flying fist in his hand, rage resting in his eyes.

  “I don’t think that’s a very good idea,” Axel hissed.

  Jason’s fury turned to fear. He slowly dropped his fist from Axel’s hand. Axe cocked his elbow back, but before he could even move his punch the slightest bit towards Jason, Jason fell to the ground, covering his face with his arms.

  Axe chuckled at his cowardice, then grabbed a handful of Jason’s shirt and picked him up by it. “If you ever touch my girl one more fucking time or even breathe in her direction, I will fucking kill you! Do you understand?”

  Jason’s fear escalated as he stood in Axel’s grip, not responding.

  “Do you understand!” Axe screamed in his face. He rapidly nodded, and Axe dropped him. Jason ran out the door without saying another word.

  “Wow,” Claire quietly spoke, “I didn’t know he was such a puss.”

  Axel laughed out loud. “I did.” He diverted his attention back to me. “Baby, are you okay?”

  I nodded, bringing my hand up to where Jason had grabbed my hair.

  “Claire, are you okay too?” he asked sympathetically.

  “Yeah, I’m— I’m okay.”

  “I should’ve ripped his fucking throat out,” Axe vented, shaking his head.

  “Thank you for rushing over here,” I said.

  His emerald eyes softened as he ran his thumb over my bottom lip. “It’s my job to protect you.”

  I fell into his arms, closing my eyes. His muscles held me, warming me. This was what home felt like. But a small twinge of unsettlement came about me, knowing that there was a very serious conversation I would have to have with Claire.

  Chapter Sixteen

  The Nineteenth Birthday

  The next day, I asked Claire to go get coffee with me. I was concerned about her, hoping that she would take all my advice into consideration.

  I messed with my hair as we sat down, nervous to bring up her crumbling relationship.

  She sat quietly, her blonde hair framing her tired face and swollen eyes.

  “How are you?” I started.

  “I’m fine,” Claire said, hiding behind her coffee cup.

  I tilted my head towards my shoulder, sighing with empathy. “Claire, you’re not fine.” She sniffled once, holding her warm cup of coffee close to her. “You know you have to break up with him, right?”

  Claire looked down. “I know… but part of me doesn’t want to.” She shuffled around in her seat, unwilling to make eye contact with me.

  “I just don’t want you to end up where I was.” I covered her hand with mine, trying my best to comfort her. “He’s toxic. Cutting him off is what’s best for you.”

  “This sucks,” she said, her eyes glossing over as she stared down at her cup.

  “I know. I’m sorry.”

  “Is this what it felt like with Connor?” she quietly asked, finally looking up at me. I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat that formed at the sound of his name. “You dealt with feeling like this for three years?”

  “Yeah.”

  “How? This is terrible.”

  I drew her in for a hug. “Claire, he sucks. Like, he really sucks. He makes you feel more miserable than happy and that’s not okay. You deserve better.”

  She pulled away, wiping the single tear that escaped down her cheek. “Yeah, you’re right.”

  “End it within the next day or two and then we’ll just have fun this weekend, okay?” I said. She gave a small nod, taking another sip of coffee. “And I’m always here for you.”

  “I love you bestie,” Claire said, pulling her mouth over to the side.

  I squeezed her hand. “I love you too.”

  For the first time in what seemed like weeks, I was overcome with pure excitement. I had already done my makeup when Gianna and Claire smuggled me into the apartment to get dressed, making sure Axel didn’t see. It felt like prom or a wedding, trying to hide from the date or groom until the “big reveal.”

  The three of us all piled into the bathroom as I did touch ups on my makeup. People were going to start arriving within the next half hour or so, so I needed to get ready quickly.

  “So, Claire, you haven’t talked to Jason since the other night, right?” I asked. After hearing what happened, Gianna was pissed that she wasn’t there to help. She would’ve gouged Jason’s eyeballs out with her fingernails. But more importantly, after witnessing Jason having Connor-like tendencies and on top of that, getting violent as well, I was more concerned than ever about Claire. I had a first-hand account of how emotional and mental abuse could destroy you and adding physical abuse on top of that would make it a hundred times worse.

  I was glad we had our heart to heart at the coffee shop, but knowing how I was during my whole ordeal with Connor, I understood how hard it was to escape a toxic relationship. I wanted to make sure that she wasn’t feeding back into his bullshit.

  “No,” Claire responded, looking down. Her navy-blue mini dress hugged her body, fitting her perfectly, dirty blonde hair cascading elegantly down her back. Claire was stunning. She would have no problem finding a guy who was actually good for her.

  Gianna rubbed Claire’s back, trying to comfort her.

  “Are you lying?” I asked, slightly raising a brow. She rapidly shook her head. “Has he…” I stopped, unsure if my next question was too much for the moment.

  “Has he what?” Claire asked.

  “Has he ever hit you?”

  I watched in the mirror as she crossed her arms, uncomfortably. I didn’t think Gianna had ever asked her herself, so the second the bathroom went silent, Gi’s concern was raised.

  “Claire?” Gi softly spoke.

  Claire’s eyes were glossy. “No,” she shook her head, “he hasn’t.”

  Gianna and I glanced at each other in the mirror, unsure if Claire was being truthful or not.

  “Are you sure?” Gi asked.

  “Yes,” she said, but the glossiness in her eyes didn’t fade. I could tell Gi wanted to keep pushing the topic, but I shook my head at her, remembering how cornered I felt the other day at the mall.

  I finished applying my red-hot lips and put on my necklace. Then slipped on my black two-piece and completed the outfit with black heels.

  “I was so right,” Claire said. “Those heels make your legs look stellar.”

  “Thanks, bestie,” I grinned, taking a look at myself in the mirror.

  “Ready?” Gi asked. I nodded. She peeked her head out of the bathroom door. “She’s ready!” she yelled.

  “Okay! We’re done out here so you guys can come out now!” Ash called out.

  “Where’s she at? I wanna see my beautiful girl!” Axe shouted.

  I smiled, moving my half up, half down curls in front of my shoulders. I fixed my strapless bra in my black cami top, making sure it wouldn’t fall down, and took one more look in the mirror. My red lipstick popped against my black two-piece and I fucking loved it.

  I walked out and entered the living room, which was decked out with decorations. Streamers dangled from the ceiling and a giant banner that read “Happy Birthday Tate!” was hung against the wall above the couch.

  Axel’s special smirk spread across his face, green eyes brightening. “You look incredible,” he said, not taking his eyes off of me. I did a little spin, allowing him to see my full outfit. His eyes widened and he took a deep breath, wincing. “Everyone’s gonna be checking you out.”

  Gianna rolled her eyes. “Who cares? At the end of the day, she’s still yours, right?”

  Axe intertwined our fingers, grinning. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

  He clearly didn’t want to create an issue, knowing that I would refuse to change if he asked me to. It was refreshing having a boyfriend that didn’t tr
y to control you or guilt you into doing the things he wanted you to do. Even when some things worried him, he still let me make my own decisions.

  We all began drinking before more people showed up. And in small groups, they arrived. A pile of presents began to grow in the corner of the room. Axel had invited more people than I had even expected, from his frat brothers to friends we knew around campus. Not a single girl was invited that had ever spent the night in Axel’s bed, which I was grateful for.

  Axe and I stood near the couch, socializing with our guests. He gave me a peculiar look, the one where I knew he was thinking.

  “What is it, babe?” I asked. His charming smile appeared. “What?” I asked again.

  He stepped up on the couch, still holding onto my hand. “HEY!” Axel shouted. “TURN THE MUSIC DOWN!”

  Everyone’s heads turned, curious as to what the commotion was about. The room went silent.

  Axe licked his lips. “Uh, so as you all know, it’s Tate’s birthday,” he gazed at me. “And I just wanted to give a toast to her,” he said, raising his drink. “To the most amazing, most beautiful woman I’ve ever met. And I’m beyond thankful that she gave me a chance even though I’m probably the biggest asshole on campus. Happy birthday, Tate!”

  “Happy birthday!” everyone screamed, before starting to sing happy birthday to me. I smiled the whole time, unable to contain it.

  Axe placed a gentle kiss on my cheek, pulling away with a smirk. “Birthday shots?” he asked.

  “Absolutely.”

  Axe led me by the hand over to the kitchen, where all the liquor was lined up on the counter. Three guys were standing in the kitchen, beers in hand.

  “Tate, you remember Joey, Owen, and Dylan, right? From my frat?”

  “Yeah, of course,” I smiled at them. Axe poured himself a shot. “Pour me one too, baby,” I said.

  “Just one?” he asked.

  I had only had two shots and a few sips of Axel’s beer within the past hour and a half of the party, trying to steady myself so that I could consciously interact with everyone who had come to celebrate my birthday with me. And already, I could feel those two shots were draining out of my system.

  “Um,” I thought, “gimme three.”

  “Three?” Dylan asked. “At once? For you?”

  “Hell yeah,” I said, leaning against the counter.

  Axe poured them with a smile on his face, then pushed them in front of me.

  “No chaser, either?” Owen asked.

  I shook my head. “Absolutely not. I’m not a ‘lil bitch.”

  Axe chuckled. “Nah,” he said, wrapping his arm around my waist, “my girl’s a badass.”

  “Looks like one too,” Joey said, eyeing me up and down.

  Axe’s body stiffened, his eyes targeting Joey. “You checkin’ out my girl, Joey?”

  Joey shifted nervously as Axel’s eyes peered into him. “Uh, no,” Joey shook his head, but Axe didn’t seem satisfied with his answer.

  “You sure?” Axe asked, glaring at Joey.

  The last thing I wanted was for Axel to get into a bad mood. “Well I’m about to take these shots,” I interrupted, as my attempt to ease the tension between the frat brothers.

  Axel’s attention turned to me. He knew I was trying to change the topic, but he still let it happen anyways. Axe didn’t want to ruin my birthday, so he let it go.

  I grinned at him, bobbing up and down on my tippy toes as I pounded down all three shots. A couple people who saw started clapping, impressed by my performance.

  Axe leaned down and kissed my cheek, happy to show me off. The feeling was refreshing, because Connor never would. He was constantly reluctant to go in public with me, always afraid that someone would say something to Nicole. He refused to post photos with me, in an attempt to keep the existence of our complicated relationship a secret. He was never proud to be with me, or to even have me in his life at all. I was a burden to Connor, but Axel made me feel like a blessing to him. Axe had a way of making me feel whole. And I fucking loved him for it.

  He pulled me into the living room, finding a small open space for us to dance in.

  “Are you sure the music’s not too loud?” I asked.

  He chuckled. “Nah,” he shook his head, “the cops aren’t gonna do anything.”

  I didn’t know why he was so sure, but I took his word for it. I put my backside towards him, beginning to sway my hips side to side as his hands rested upon them. I reached up and behind me, wrapping my hands around the back of his neck. He leaned in, touching my ear with his mouth.

  “I can’t wait to take this dress off of you later,” he whispered. An impish grin came across my lips. If the apartment wasn’t packed with people right now, I would’ve dragged him into the bedroom right then and there.

  I jumped to the sound of a bottle breaking in the kitchen.

  “Shit,” Axe said. “Don’t know what that was, but I gotta go clean it up anyway. Save me a dance still?”

  “Of course.”

  He raised his arms up and dropped them suddenly as he headed into the kitchen. “Damn you, fuckers!”

  I shook my head, giggling at his adorable annoyance. I scanned the room, seeing who else was there that I hadn’t talked to yet. Penelope came into view.

  “Hey!” I approached her.

  “The birthday bitch! Happy birthday, roomie!” she enveloped me in a hug.

  “Thanks,” I laughed, flipping my hair around. “I’m so glad you could make it.”

  “Of course! Wouldn’t miss it, Tate. I just can’t stay long. I told Lucas I’d hang out with him since he couldn’t come.”

  “Oh, well that’s okay,” I said, suddenly feeling like the villain for refusing to give Lucas an invitation.

  “We’ll probably just hang out in our room if that’s okay with you.”

  “Yeah, of course. I’m gonna be spending the night here anyways,” I smiled kindly at her. “I’ll catch up with you in a little bit,” I said, noticing a sappy Claire seated on the couch. “Hey, what’s up? Why are you sitting instead of dancing?” I pulled her to her feet, but the second she stood, she sat back down again. I sighed, sitting next to her. “Claire, c’mon. Talk to me. What’s bothering you? Is it Jason?”

  She slowly nodded. “I just… don’t know what to do. He keeps trying to call me and talk to me and fix things, but at the end of the day, he’s still toxic and still put his hands on you,” she said, shaking her head in disgust. She turned to face me. “I wasn’t lying earlier when I said that he’s never hit me. He hasn’t. But sometimes, he gets so mad that I’m scared he’s gonna.”

  I gave her a hug, her head resting on my shoulder. “Everything will work itself out. And we can talk about this all day tomorrow, but for tonight, stop beating yourself up thinking about it. Just try to have fun, okay?”

  “Yeah, Gianna was saying the same thing,” she said, pulling away from the hug.

  I brought my brows together. “Speaking of Gi,” I started, looking around, “where the hell is she?”

  Claire raised an eyebrow. “She’s been in Ash’s room for a while.”

  I rolled my eyes. “They couldn’t have waited until everyone left?”

  “Apparently not,” she shrugged, still looking miserable.

  “Hey,” I nudged her, “you see that guy standing near the kitchen? The one with the dusty blonde hair and the beer in his hand?” Claire nodded. “That’s Owen. He’s in Axel’s frat. He’s super cute and super sweet. You should go talk to him.”

  Claire tilted her head to the side. “I don’t know, Tate. I mean he is really cute, but I’m not sure if that’s really a good idea.”

  I stood up from the couch, pulling her up with me. “C’mon. I’ll go with you.”

  “Well… okay.”

  I smoothed out my skirt before we strolled over to where Owen and Dylan were standing.

  “Hey!” they both said, greeting us.

  “Hey guys! This is my friend, Claire. Claire, this i
s Owen and Dylan.”

  Owen’s eyes brightened when he shook Claire’s hand, a clear sign that he was interested.

  I felt a hand on my ass, happy that Axel had finally finished cleaning up the mess in the kitchen. I smiled as I turned, but my smile automatically fell when Joey’s face came into view. I backed away, disgusted.

  “Don’t touch me,” I warned.

  “C’mon, Tate. Axel doesn’t even have to know,” he slurred. He swayed back and forth, clearly intoxicated. There was nothing less attractive than a drunk guy who couldn’t handle himself.

  “Absolutely not,” I called out.

  “Just one—"

  “Joey,” Axel hissed from behind him.

  Joey turned, his eyes widening at the sight.

  “Axel, I, uh—”

  “Just,” Axe paused, closing his eyes for a second, his jaw working under his skin, “get the fuck out.”

  Joey glanced at Owen and Dylan for a second, then to me, then back to Axel. “Yeah, okay,” he said, slowly stumbling his way over to the door.

  “Sorry about him, Tate,” Owen said.

  “He’s pretty drunk. We should probably go make sure he gets home alright,” Dylan said.

  “Yeah,” Owen agreed, taking a deep breath. “Well, happy birthday, Tate! Thanks for having us Axel,” he nodded once in Axe’s direction. “And it was nice to meet you, Claire,” he winked at her.

  She blushed as they walked away. I smirked at her, hopeful that maybe she would finally talk to someone other than dirtbag Jason.

  Claire nodded once towards the door, gesturing for me to look. Axel walked out, slamming it behind him. I turned back towards Claire, unsure of why. I could see by the look in her eyes that she knew I was confused.

  “Go,” she said nodding.

  “Okay… be right back.”

  I made my way out to the parking lot, immediately shivering when the cold, February air hit my bare skin. Axe lit a cigarette, bringing it up to his mouth to take a drag.

  He only smoked when he was pissed.

  Axe sensed my presence, turning to meet my gaze. “What are you doing out here, Tate? It’s freezing. You should go back inside.”