Chapter 18: Chapter 18

XLII

Axel's P.O.V.

"I'm sorry, okay? Fuck, I've forgotten what it's like to ask forgiveness from people who aren't Sophie." She always caves in quite soon, thankfully.

"Yeah, well, I'm not fucking Sophie and that's a pitiful fucking apology, you need to do better." coach replies, shutting the door of his bedroom in my face.

I woke up ten minutes ago on his couch, not really remembering why, but what I remember is the picture of Sophie with hurt in her eyes as I screwed up again.

Well, to be fair, she screwed up too. What the fuck was she thinking, kissing Theo? I understand how she thought it was a good idea, but I refuse to give up being hurt already. I'm gonna enjoy sulking for a little more time.

Groaning, I turn on my heels and exit coach's house, knowing exactly how to gain his forgiveness.

I knock on his door again an hour later, holding up a beautifully designed bottle of 20 year old scotch - god knows coach loves his booze, there's no way he's saying no to the 200 pound worth bottle in front of him.

He lifts his brow at the sight of it. "Are you trying to buy me off?"

Shrugging, I defend myself. "I already said I was sorry and you called it a piss-poor apology, I don't know what the fuck else I'm supposed to do here."

He rolls his eyes, snatches the bottle and passes by me, going for the living room. "It worked." He admits and I grin. I knew it would.

"Now, sit, and tell me why the fuck you showed up drunk at my house a few hours ago? What the hell did you do? Again?" he orders, and I sit, rolling my eyes.

"I went out for a drink last night, as you know it." I say and coach nods. "And, um, well I didn't return until this morning."

Coach starts to laugh and unscrew the bottle. "Oh, you are so screwed."

"That's not the worst part." I wince. "Sophie knows that a woman brought me home."

Coach stops laughing immediately. "Axel, tell me you didn't-"

"No! No, fuck, of course not, who the fuck do you think I am ?! I would never, ever, ever, cheat on Sophie!" I was suddenly mad that he thought I could do that.

"Well, you said a woman brought you home, what the fuck am I supposed to think?!" he yells back, then stops. "What does she think?"

I don't reply.

"Axel, what does Sophie think you did?" he asks again, but he already knows the question. "I can't believe your stubborn fucking ass." he rolls his eyes at me and I open my mouth to protect myself, standing up from the couch.

"Well, she fucked up too, you know? You never bother to think why I screw up, you just assume that I'm an asshole!" I defend myself the best I can and coach shrugs. "Well, that's because most of the time that's the case."

"This time she screwed up as well." I reach for the bottle, but coach moves it out of the way, giving me a look that says 'you've already had enough'. Giving in, I sit back on the couch.

"She made out with Theo." I finally admit, the words tasting bitter in my mouth.

Coach looks at me as if his eyes are going to pop out. "She did what?"

"He threatened her that he was going to wait in the house for me to punch the shit out of him and I'd go to jail if she didn't make out with him, or something." Closing my eyes, I picture for a moment the joy that I'd feel had I actually been able to kill him.

"Oh. Well. That's not as bad as she kissing him because she likes him."

"Yeah, but he likes her! I mean, I just hate him so fucking much, it's crazy. I almost killed him in the past, he's like a fucking cockroach, just not dying! And then Sophie feels bad for him instead of feeling bad for me for being manipulated!"

I finish the rant, fuming, and wait for coach to say something. It takes a while, but after a few minutes, he finally says:"Look, you both screwed up but it'd be dumb to just give up on this and not make up. So this is what you're going to do-"

"Wait, why me?" I immediately cut in and he glares at me.

"Because you're a man, Axel. Now shut the fuck up and listen."

***

Sophie's P.O.V.

"Oh, thank god you two are here! I've missed you both so much!" I exclaim at the sight of Amber and Liam coming towards me from the taxi. They knew I'm not allowed to move much around the house because it's already so far in pregnancy, much less go get them from the airport. I hug them both as tightly as possible, and they return the hug, however much more carefully.

"Sophie, you look so beautiful." Amber kisses me on the cheek, making me blush and I return the compliment. "We brought you like ten pounds of chocolate." Liam adds and I giggle. "Thanks, guys."

"We also brought all the seasons of Friends, so we can watch them and get fat with you. I hope Axel won't be mad at us for stealing you away." Amber takes my hand and I open the mouth to tell her that I'm sure he won't, but decide against it.

"Oh, no. What did he do again?" Liam asks immediately. I forgot how observant he is.

I shake my head. "Nothing, I don't want to bring the mood down. Let's just set up a camp on the couch and talk about the serious stuff later." I dismiss him and he gives me a pitiful smile.

"You're gonna be such an amazing mom, Soph." Amber grins and plops down on the sofa.

Dad and his girlfriend come out to greet us then disappear in the bedroom, leaving us to watch the series and later talk about Axel, as usual.