Getting the Axe - Nikki Mays Page 0,11

nicknames over the last few months and not all of them are my doing.

“I know,” I say before taking a sip from the bottle of water that I’m holding. “I really thought that he was messing with me when he said that.” Truthfully, I thought that there was a hidden camera on me somewhere. I spent the whole day looking around like an idiot.

“Nah,” He crosses his massive arms over his chest. “He would have to have a sense of humor to mess with you. He seemed to lose his sense of humor, right around the time that you showed up.”

I frown up at him. “You think that it’s my fault that he isn’t fun to be around?” I’m kind of hurt. I don’t know what I could’ve done to make Noah feel that way around me.

Mason’s lips twitch and he looks down at me with nothing short of mischief in his eyes. “In an indirect sort of way. It would be fine if he didn’t have his head up his ass.” He says cryptically.

“I don’t get it.” I put the water bottle down on the table and put my hands on my hips.

Mase pats me on the head like I’m a freaking dog again. “Elle, I’m pretty sure that you’re the only person in the world who doesn’t understand why he’s been acting the way he has been. Which makes all of this even funnier.” He chuckles deeply.

I roll my eyes. “You’re not even making any sense.”

He shakes his head. “I really can’t wait for you to figure it out. I think a few people will throw a damn parade when you do.” He turns and starts to walk towards the table with all the food. “By the way, it’s your turn to throw.” He says over his shoulder, as he beelines it for the sandwich platter.

I shake my head as I walk towards the lane that I’ve been sharing with Ben, Mason, and Noah. It sucks that he thinks that I’m the reason that Noah is so darn grumpy all of the time. I really have no idea what I ever did to piss him off. It seemed the second that he saw me, Noah hated me on sight.

Okay, sure, I understand that there are times that people will like you no matter what. Even I’m guilty of disliking someone for no apparent reason, other than just a weird vibe.

But geez does it really suck when it’s your boss. Even more so when he’s a walking and breathing Adonis. Really the only bad part about him is his attitude.

And the fact that he seems to despise me.

I sigh heavily as I walk up and grab an axe or hatchet as the guy who works here called it. I’m still going to call it an axe since it looks like a smaller version of what I think the guys who chop down trees use. Well, used before chainsaws were invented.

The handle of the axe is heavy and has several nicks in it from where I’m guessing other hopeless saps like me failed miserably at throwing it.

I’d probably have better luck if it wasn’t so heavy. Okay, fine, probably not, but telling yourself a little white lie never hurt.

“You going to manage to actually throw it near the target this time?” Ben chuckles from behind the line that the place has drawn on the ground. You have to stay behind it if you’re not the one throwing.

I turn around and give him a sour look that only makes his smile widen. I put my left hand on my hip and my right hand is down at my side. I mindlessly tap it against my thigh. The weight and the motion is oddly soothing. “I told you guys that I didn’t want to throw.” I totally do not whine in that sentence.

Both of them now have matching smiles, that I could appreciate the beauty in a lot more if it wasn’t at my expense. “You’re the one who set this whole day up,” Noah states like I’ve somehow forgotten that this was my idea. “It wouldn’t be right if you didn’t. You’re the one who wanted everyone to have an enjoyable day.”

I grit my teeth. We have been both behaving like proper adults the past few weeks, must not ruin that now by getting snarky with the big, handsome jerk. “I understand that.” It absolutely does not come out low or strained. “But I don’t see how me not throwing would