The Girl He Marked by Laila Callaway novel Chapter 3

Axel's POV.

'What do you mean I can't just ask her' I complain to Rory.

We're waiting outside for Grace to come out. We had separate lessons this morning.

Rory rolls her eyes. 'You have an opportunity to be romantic about the way you ask her. She will appreciate it more if you come up with a cute way to ask, rather than just outright.'

I stare at her for a minute, trying to work out how serious she is.

Okay, so I'm no choir boy. I've been with girls, I've dated girls, I've hung out with girls.

I still have no idea what goes on in their heads.

I'm as clueless as I was when I hit puberty.

Thank Goddess I've got Rory.

'So, I have to plan a cute way to ask her to go to the Halloween dance with me'

Rory nods. 'Exactly. Don't worry, I'll help. Shit! She's coming, ssh!'

Grace comes over and the two of us smile, acting completely suspicious. Grace looks back and forth between us.

'What's going on' She asks cautiously.

Rory shrugs. 'Nothing.'

I can't lie to her, so I just keep smiling.

Grace narrows her eyes at me. 'You were talking about me, weren't you'

Rory smirks. 'Actually, we were talking about the sex shop.'

I have to hand it to her; Rory is very clever sometimes. Grace doesn't question us any further, her cheeks coloring.

We sit together during our break. Luke, Finley and Xaden join us. They're all talking about the match tonight.

We're playing football against one of the nearby schools. I casually mentioned it yesterday and Grace was really eager to come and watch me play.

I'm not going to lie, I'm excited at the prospect of having my girl watching me. I've only ever had my parents come to my games. It's gonna be great having my mate cheering me on.

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At the end of the day, my friends and I gather in the changing rooms.

We spent lunch inside, seeing as the weather had turned. It's stopped raining now, but it means the grass will be wet on the pitch. No doubt, we're gonna get muddy.

We change into our kit and make our way outside. My parents, as always, are there cheering for me.

Their love can be a bit smothering at times, but I have to admit, they're the best parents I could ever wish for. They support me continuously.

Grinning next to them, is the light of my life. Grace is stood by their side, with Rory next to her.

She blows me a kiss and I pretend to catch it.

I know we're cringing. I don't care. I'm happy.

After greeting the opposing team, we take our positions. The whistle blows and the game begins.

The weather stays dry, but the pitch is soaked. In less than ten minutes, my boots and shin pads are covered in mud.

By half time, the colors of my kit are barely visible with all of the mud all over me.

I've scored two goals for my time and one of the goals required me to slide on the floor. I'm caked in mud.

I chug my water and look over at Grace, who is watching me with a heated gaze.

Really

She still finds me attractive when I'm covered in mud

I'm not complaining.

'Stop making eyes at your girl,' Xaden teases. 'Let's go smash this stupid team.'

I drop my bottle in my bag and jog back out onto the pitch. The whistle blows and the second half of the game begins.

I score the third goal in the next five minutes. I hear my mate cheering along with the crowd. When I look over at her, she is jumping up and down, pumping her fists in the air.

'That's my boyfriend!' She yells.

I grin at her. It appears my girl is getting into this.

The match is pretty much over by the time we score a fourth goal against them. We know and they know it. Soon after, the whistle blows, and we've won.

I run over to the sidelines, right up to my family. My parents congratulate me, but my eyes are on Grace. She takes a big step back as I approach her.

'No! Axel, you're covered in mud!' She squeals when I get close.

I pretend to grab for her, and she leaps out of the way, giggling her head off.

'I asked your parents and they've said you can come to mine for dinner tomorrow. Do you want to' She asks me, giving me big, pleading eyes.

I can't say no to her.

'Of course.'

Grace makes me go shower and change. Fifteen minutes later, I meet everyone in the parking lot.

I say goodbye to Rory and kiss Grace before driving home after my parents.

When I get in, I text Rory, asking what the hell I should do about asking Grace to the dance.

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On Friday morning, Rory and I meet early at school. We've come up with a plan and Rory has bought everything I need.

'I don't know what I'd do without you,' I tell her, putting the package into my backpack.

She shrugs. 'Fail at life, probably.'

I roll my eyes. 'Gee, thanks.'

She smirks at me. 'You know it's true.'

The worst part is it probably is true.

I stress about our plan all morning. By break time, Grace has become suspicious about my behavior. I try and hide how nervous I feel, but I suck at hiding things from her.

We go out for lunch at the diner, as usual.

I enter the restaurant feeling nervous. This is the first time I have ever felt nervous in this place.

I'm going to ask Grace to the dance after our meal.

Rory and I spent ages trying to come up with ideas last night. Xaden was no use, as expected. My cousin hasn't got a romantic bone in his body, but to be fair, I'm not much better.

We order our food and Grace puts her hand on mine under the table. She squeezes it and frowns at me.

'Are you okay' She whispers. 'You're really tense.'

I force a smile. 'I'm fine, don't worry.'

I'm not fine. I struggle to eat. My palms are sweaty. I don't know why I'm so nervous, I guess I want it to go smoothly, and I want Grace to be impressed.

I don't think she's heard about the dance yet, or at least; she hasn't mentioned it to me. I hope she hasn't heard about it and thinks I don't want to ask her.

No, she wouldn't think that. She's my girlfriend, she knows I'd want to go with her.

Fuck, I've never been this nervous before.

Well, actually, maybe when I first asked her out.

She is the only human that can make me, a werewolf, so bloody nervous.

I manage to choke down my food. I wait for our plates to be collected and then I unzip my backpack.

I take out the soft toy pumpkin inside. Grace looks over as I place it in front of her on the table.

She frowns at the pumpkin and then at me.

'What's this'

Rory is grinning from ear to ear, whilst Xaden is watching with amusement.

'Open it,' I urge her.

With her brows drawn together, she cautiously lifts off the plushie lid. Inside the pumpkin is a folded piece of paper.

She unfolds it and her eyes scan over it. It took me ages to draw the Halloween images, cartoons of pumpkins, cats and various monsters.

It says, 'Will you be my hallow—queen at the Halloween dance'.

It was the best Rory, and I could come up with on such short notice. Grace's cheeks turn pink, and she looks up at me, surprises on her face.

'There's a Halloween ball next month,' I explain. 'Do you want to be my date'

She grins and holds the note to her chest. 'Yes! I'd love to!'

Xaden whoops loudly and Rory claps as I lean over and kiss her.

When I pull back, Grace is looking at the note with a smile on her face. She tucks it safely in her bag and then picks up the pumpkin. She places the lid back on it and strokes the soft material.

'This is so adorable,' she says. 'I'm putting him on my bed.'

Phew, what a relief.

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