All Chapters of Blunt Pain: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

MeritShe looked at the last text Aspen sent her and frowned. She was supposed to wear jeans, a top that wasn’t revealing, sneakers or boots, nothing with a heel. She had no idea where they were going, only that they were going to watch Axl. The lack of detail made her nerves prickle, curiosity tangling tightly with anticipation in her chest.The idea sent a thrill through her. She wasn’t sure why, because she didn’t really like him. Sure, he was good-looking, the broodiness worked for him, he could sing, and she finally understood why women threw their underwear on stage. If Axl had to sit on a stage, his guitar in his lap, and open his mouth, women everywhere would swoon. His voice had lingered in her memory long after the last note had faded.The only thing she didn’t like about him was that he ignored her most of the time, making her feel like an outsider. She hadn’t done anything to him, and she disliked how he just dismissed her so easily. Sure, she wasn’t model hot like Aspen,

NorthAspen nudged him in the ribs when Axl and Merit arrived. Axl dumped the bag of gummies on Aspen’s lap. She delved into it immediately, and North chuckled as he tried to grab a packet, and she slapped his hand away.The room was already dimmed for movie night, soft lighting washing over the wide couches and oversized cinema beds, turning the space into a cocoon of noise, sugar, and laughter.“Damn, woman, share with me!”Another bag of gummies landed on his lap, and Axl grinned. “Thanks, Axl, at least someone loves me.”There were two cinema beds in North’s entertainment room, and he had already claimed one, leaving the second one for Axl and Merit to share. He’d told Aspen that Axl would know what they were up to, because it really was obvious. Subtlety had never been Aspen’s strong suit.She was standing around, looking a little uncomfortable, as Axl plopped down on one side. Aspen’s mouth was already stuffed with gummy bears when he started the movie. Axl was already leaning b

MeritNorth was still laughing, and she closed her eyes. Why the hell hadn’t they heard them come outside? She was mortified, because the truth was, she really did like him, despite the fact that she knew he was trouble, despite everything. Heat rushed to her face, her pulse skidding unevenly as embarrassment and hope tangled in her chest.“It was a joke,” Aspen said.“Yeah.” Axl’s voice was low, and she knew his eyes would be blazing and narrowed. “I guess now you should really worry about all the time I spend alone with North.”Aspen laughed. “You know, Axl, there’s something about two hot guys—”“No, there’s not! There’s nothing remotely hot about two guys. Period!”“I’m with Axl. Now, two hot women, on the other hand,” North said.“Why is that a thing?” Aspen asked.Merit finally opened her eyes as North went into detail to answer Aspen’s question. She was right. Axl’s eyes were blazing, and he was looking intently at her. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out, and his face b

AxlAxl grumbled under his breath as North unpacked their food in the cafeteria. The chicken salad was slid across the table in Axl’s direction, and he glared at his friend.“Seriously? I’m in the lower limit for my weight class. I need to gain a few pounds, actually.”The noise of the cafeteria pressed in around them—chairs scraping, trays clattering, voices rising and falling in overlapping waves. Axl welcomed the noise. He didn’t want to think about why he’d dragged Merit into that closet. Why was it important to him that she made the right choice? He didn’t want to think about it too much, not sure he’d like the answer.“Well, that chicken salad looks really good,” Merit said, and traded her burger for his salad.“You can’t woo me with food,” Axl said, and gave her a look.“I don’t think she’s going to woo you at all,” Aspen said, and laughed as she unwrapped her salad sandwich.“I don’t put out for nothing,” he said, and North choked on his soda.“When have you ever put out?”“Go

AspenHer overnight bag was packed, and she’d packed a surprise for North, too. Weekends were her favorite because she got to spend them with him. He was her favorite person in the world, other than her two sisters. The small duffel at her feet felt lighter than it should have, as if all she really needed was already waiting for her on the other side of town.She drove the ten minutes to his house and used her key to let herself in. The house was quiet, but she could hear the piano from the music room. The door was open, and she leaned in the doorway as she watched him.The notes drifted through the hallway, soft and familiar, wrapping around her like a welcome home she never got in her own house.“Staring constitutes stalking,” North said, without looking at her, and she laughed.“Can you stalk someone you already have?”He turned in his seat and frowned. “I don’t know, but you can stalk me anytime.”“Why is the house so quiet?”“My mom went to rehab,” he said.“What?” Her eyes were