Jax's X Game The Axelridge Series Book 2
Chapter 16

(Chapter song ‘Not Meant To Be' by Theory Of A Deadman)

JAX

Several injuries and a mountain of dead lycans later, Marcus is back to cleaning up the damaged buildings and calming his pack down. We spent the next few days trying to develop a security system for all the outside packs. Of course, that lead to a fight and I needed to get some air before I punched my friend in the face. I love him like a brother, but fuck, the Yorker gets on my nerves.

I have a game later today for the tournament that was delayed due to now dead lycans. It’s not going well. We’re falling behind the Roughnex. We can come back, but we are running out of time. We’re in the last week of the tournament. I need back on my game.

With Audrey and I in a better place, they’re may be a chance to get back what we lost. I know I’m really starting to feel it. That kiss at the restaurant felt so real…I want it to be real.

I hop up the steps to the huge black tower.

Walking through the circle spinning doors my brows raise as I look around.

“Whoa.” I say practically tripping as I turn around and walk backwards looking up to the multiple floors, skylights, marble and gold.

I stop spinning and walk forward. I catch my reflection in the gold ‘Horizon Corps.’ sign. I lean closer, run my fingers through my hair, check my eye brows and breath.

“Jaxton?”

I turn on my heel and smile when I see Audrey walking from the elevators. Her fabulous hips sway in her black, business dress. Her heels click on the floor as she heads my way and her long legs make my mouth water.

I slowly step to her. “Hey! I hope you don’t mind. I though I’d stop in and see if I could take you out to lunch.” I look around as I stuff my hands in my pockets. “This place is…wow.” I chuckle as she looks around too.

“Thank you.” She stops in front of me and smiles. “I was just stepping out, but yes, I would like that.”

A big toothy grin grows on my lips. I chuckle as I step closer and lick my lips. I grab her hand and start to walk her to the door. “Great…um…You ready? I know this great little restaurant tucked away a couple of blocks from here. They have this awesome burger. You can get anything you want…”

“AUDREY!”

We turn and my heart slams into my throat. My smile fades and my brows stitch up. Then my gut twists as my head flips between Audrey and the guy jogging toward us. He hasn’t changed one single bit since I’ve seen him last. My breathing speeds up and my hand balls into a fist.

“Chet.” Audrey lets go of my hand and steps to him.

He slows and stops. He hands her a paper. “You forgot the contract.”

Our eyes meet and he fucking knows.

She glances at me as she takes it. “Thank you.” She steps to me and turns to him. “Uh…Jax. You remember Chet.”

Our eyes are locked as my anger festers. I feel my lip curl as I read the note left on my bed 30 years ago. “The asshole that took my girlfriend, how could I forget.” I whip my head to Audrey. “Have a nice fucking day.” I sneer and walk out the door.

“Jax, wait!”

She calls my name just as I get to the top step

I spin around and take big steps to her. “No, Rey!” I growl so loud, people stop and stare. “You lied to me! You told me he was gone! We're done!!” I throw a finger at her and out to side as I turn toward the steps.

“Jax, please. It’s not like that. Please, stop.” She chases after me and I’m not fucking hearing it.

“Get the fuck away from me, Rey!” I walk around to my car and open the door.

“Jaxton, it’s not what you think. Please, don’t go. I can explain.” She pleads as she leans on my open window.

I get in and start the engine. “I don’t want to hear it, Rey. I said we're done and I meant it. Leave me alone.” I hit the gas, squeal the tires and leave her in the dust.

As I run up the street, I see her in my mirror flop her arm to the side and hold her forehead.

I suck in my top lip as the old feelings slammed my chest again. I smack the steering wheel with my palm and try to make sense of it.

She came here to start back up with me while she had Chet in the back. Fuck her! If Chet was smart he’d kick her ass too, but knowing him, he’d stay for the sex. He can’t love her like I did.

No one could.

Maybe he does. I don’t fucking know. Right now, I don’t fucking care. She did it again. Sucked me in and destroyed me. I’m never going to learn, am I. Audrey and I, we’re the most incompatible people going. I can’t believe I even thought about wasting my time with her.

Nope. Back to the original plan. Get through this tournament and get her out of my life. I’ll go back to not dating and swearing off women all together.

When I arrive at the arena, I’m still hot under the collar and all I want to do is pound some balls into the goal.

I tries to push Audrey away as I played the game against the Thunderbirds.

I pocket the ball, run it up to the attack zone and slam the defender so hard he actually got injured on the grass. The ref called it and I was given 30 seconds. I take a knee on the sidelines and hang my head. Like this game, I feel like no matter what I do, I lose.

This can’t be it for me. Audrey was something so special to me. I tried so hard to protect her from everything. I gave her everything. My everything. I’m still being punished for it and I don’t get why. Why am I being repeatedly hurt when all I want to do it love?

The whistle blows and I run out to the field. The middie I approach, gets taken out by Tyler and I catch the ball in the air. I pass it to Gerard.

I run up the field and ready my pole. “FIRE IT!” I yell. Gerard passes and I get under it. I turn and get smoked. I’m laid out, but twisted my knee. “Argh! Fuck!” I grab my knee as pain shoots up and down my leg. Thankfully, I’ll be OK in about 10 minutes, but there’s only 5 minutes left of the game.

The ref calls a penalty for tripping and the Thunderbirds are a man down.

Tyler helps me to the bench. I grab his shoulder as I sit. “Kill them.” I look into his eyes.

He smirks. “You got it, Captain.” He claps my shoulder and I watch from the sidelines.

I pack my stuff and grab my water bottle. Chet is burned in my fucking brain. I watch my team run up the field and scramble for the ball outside the 9 foot circle. I hear the shots ping off the poles and I see them run after it. I shake my head, test my knee and pound back water.

“Jaxton.”

I close my eyes as I cap the bottle. She just doesn’t listen. “I told you…”

“I know what you said, but you’re wrong.”

I turn my eyes to Audrey standing behind me. “I’m playing a game here. Go away.” I grumble and turn back.

“No. Alpha Dupree. I have something to say and you’re damn well going to hear it.”

I turn on the bench with a deep growl and my face twisted in anger. I was about to explode all over her when the ref calls my name from the field.

“DUPREE!” He signals for the status of my injury. I signal back that I’m OK.

“I don’t have to damn well hear anything, Audrey. I've seen enough. You've ruined my life, I’m not about to let you ruin my game.” My knee is still sore as fuck, but I wasn’t going to be trapped on the bench with her.

We pass the ball back and forth up the field and I slam the middies. I hit the circle and fire the ball right by the goalie. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough. I lower my head as the ref calls the game. I limp back to the bench and grab my stuff. My wolf is taking his dear sweet time healing my pain. I feel him in there, rattling around like he’s pissed at me. Well, fuck you too, bud. If I could kick his ass out, I would.

I grind in frustration as I see her still standing by the bench as my team walks to the building. I eye her and turn away.

“Jaxton.” She tries to stop me, but all I can do is wave her off and continue to the stadium. This loss puts us at the bottom of the tournament and the Roughnex sit at the top with favorites to win.

If it wasn’t for Audrey, I would have topped this. She has to ruin everything. I swear, she gets off on it.

Once in the locker-room, I take the longest, hottest shower I could stand. I need to release this tension I have. The guys are right. Pining for Audrey isn’t getting me anywhere. Maybe it’s time to seriously consider letting her go. I can’t keep doing this to myself. She’s no good for me and never will be. I understand that now.

I get dressed and pack up. I walk out of the locker-room to the Stadium foyer.

As I cross in front of the administration desks, I hear my name. She just won’t take a hint.

“Jax, stop.”

I turn around and shake my head. “Just leave me alone. Go…back to Chet.”

“Please. Let me explain. I promise it’s not what you think.” She steps closer.

“I’m not buying it, Rey. Have a nice life.” I turn around and start to walk away.

“CHET SAVED ME!”

She yelled so loud that the people around us stopped for a second, glanced our way then continued to walk around to wherever they were headed.

I stop, scrunch my face and turn to face her. “Saved you from what?!” I say like she’s nuts.

I watch her face fill with pain and my brows stitch up.

“From you.” She pauses. “He saved me from you.”

I look at her with complete confusion.

What the hell did she just say?