Highest rank on the hot list over the last two weeks - #367 in Chick Lit

I'll try to get a sneak peek up on the site as soon as possible! If you guys could continue to vote and comment, that would be great!

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© 2017 Shay Spencer. All rights reserved.

Something Real

[ Chapter 13 ] Exchanging Pleasantries

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Hayden Pennington was an ass if nothing else, and after the last week of rude glances and snide comments, I was positively sure of this.

"It's the best yacht I've ever been on," my mother droned on. She hadn't stopped talking about the Jensen's yacht all week.

"You'd never been on a yacht before last weekend," I reminded, watching as she stepped out of the car.

"Well I have now!" She retorted, giving me one of her infamous looks. I knew it was my time to keep quiet.

I shook my head, hanging back as Jay lunged out of the car after my mother and Elias, leaving Hayden and I alone for the first time all week.

After Hayden's little blow up at the wedding boutique, he'd completely iced me out. I hadn't gotten more than a snide comment from him, and we'd had quite a few family dinners since our outing. He'd had more than enough time to have a real conversation with me about what exactly was bothering him.

None of what happened last weekend helped me to figure out what I had done to upset him so badly.

"You going to get out, or should I?" Hayden asked.

I shrugged my shoulders before pushing myself up from out of my seat. Apparently, despite the weekly family brunch today, Hayden's attitude wasn't getting any better.

I swerved around the seats to get out of the car, and once I had, I made sure to keep far ahead of him. If Hayden was going to act this way, then I sure as hell wasn't taking it any longer.

I had almost forgotten that Zane was the manager of this hotel, because when I saw him laughing with Elias and my mother, I was more than surprised. He smiled at the sight of me, waving me over as he did.

"Hey," he greeted. "I was hoping you'd be here."

"Yeah," I sighed, feeling a sudden presence at my side. I looked over my shoulder to see Hayden standing his ground firmly beside me, looking as if he wasn't planning on moving an inch from me.

"Your parents said I could join you," Zane relayed. "I've got a few friends in town, too. They'll be here any minute. They're good business partners with Elias."

"Then I think Scarlett and I will skip out on this one," Hayden interrupted, taking my right hand as he did. "She wouldn't want to associate with your people."

"Looks like she already has," Zane said. "Nice to see you, Hayden."

Hayden let a smirk play out on his face, "can't say the feeling is mutual."

"Sit down already, Hayden," Elias groaned, pulling out the seat next to him. "We've got things to discuss."

Hayden rolled his eyes, not releasing my hand for even a second. He pulled me over, making sure I was sitting right next to him.

At least his attitude was gone for the moment, what with Elias watching so closely over the two of us.

Zane shook his head and sat down next to me, exchanging pleasantries with Jay and my mother. He reached out and placed a hand on my knee, silently comforting me. We hadn't seen much of each other this week, but I was sure he would make the most of our time together.

"So," Elias started, resting his elbows on the rounded table at the center of the breakfast buffet. "Zane, will Axel and Edison be joining us?"

Zane nodded, "actually, yes. They got some time off and decided to stay in town for the week. Eddy and I been helping Axel with some bigger decisions involving the resorts."

"So I heard," Elias laughed. "After the get together on the yacht last weekend, I was starting to think we wouldn't be seeing much more of you."

Hayden made a point of squeezing my hand with Elias' words, this small action being enough to pull my attention his way.

"Let's get out of here," Hayden urged quietly, his lips brushing gently against my ear.

"No," I whispered. "Why should I go anywhere with you? You've been avoiding me all week."

"Just trust me, Blaine. You don't want to be here for this." Hayden whispered.

I ripped my hand from his grasp, instead reaching for Zane's hand. He took it sweetly, threading our fingers together.

"Most of our plans won't go into affect until the end of the summer," Zane corrected. "I've encountered some unforeseen complications, as of late."

"So your return to the New York office will happen in July, then?" Elias asked.

I could feel my confusion taking over as I looked to Zane.

"You're leaving Beverly Hills?" I questioned quietly, not getting a direct response from him. "In July?"

"Correct," Zane breathed warily. The man sent me a knowing look, one that indicated that he hadn't wanted to tell me this way.

"You'll be missed around here," Elias continued. "You'll still be around for the wedding, though?"

Zane nodded, "I'm hoping to, yes."

I shook my head, mumbling something about needing to use the bathroom before I stalked off towards the lobby.

I kept my head down, walking without much of a sense as to where I was going. Just as I glanced up, I ran straight into someone.

"Woah," he laughed, placing his hands on either of my shoulders. "Is the food here really that bad?"

"No," I shook my head. "I haven't even had anything yet."

"Well tell me when you do," he smiled slyly. "I'd like to have some raving reviews from a woman of your caliber." I frowned at his response, looking him up and down.

The man before me stood at nearly six feet tall, and had a very confident demeanor to boot. His dark blue suit looked to be more expensive than anything I'd ever owned, and his dirty blonde hair was gelled back neatly. He had a scruff of a beard around his mouth that stopped just below his jawline. All together, he half looked like he owned the place.

"What's your name?" I asked.

"Axel Reynolds," he said, holding out his hand to me.

It all made sense.

"Axel?" I repeated. "What kind of name is that?"

Axel smiled and shook his head, "the kind of name you get when you're conceived at a Guns N' Roses concert."

"Of course," I sighed, crossing my arms over my chest. "Where's your friend? Zane said that Eddy would be with you."

"Zane is correct," Axel laughed. "As for Eddy's whereabouts, he's saying goodbye to Marley. But I shouldn't have to explain that to you."

"Why not?"

"Aren't you Zane's girlfriend?" He asked, motioning back towards the buffet. "He talks about you way too much. You're actually the reason he postponed his return to New York."

"That," I paused, biting my lip nervously. "And I'm Hayden's step sister."

"Hayden Pennington?" Axel chuckled. "I haven't heard that name in ages."

"Good to hear I've been remembered fondly," Hayden said, wrapping his arm around my waist protectively. "Now head on in, Ax. My dad's waiting to talk business."

"Hayden. It's nice to see you too," Axel smirked. "But wouldn't you rather catch up out here? I know you'd rather discuss your return to college as far away from Elias as possible."

"I already told him I wasn't going to NYU," Hayden shook his head. "And thanks to you, most other colleges won't even consider me."

"I'm trying to make it up to you, Pen," Axel said. "At least consider it. The guys and I are in the heart of Manhattan now-"

"I'll pass," Hayden interrupted.

Axel held up his hands in defense before taking a small step aside, allowing for Hayden and I to walk past him.

"It was lovely meeting you, Scarlett," Axel finished. "Zane really found a great rebound."

I felt slightly offended as I turned to watch Axel waltz into the dinning room.

"What the hell was what that supposed to mean?"

Hayden scoffed at my question, "the guy always talks like that. There's two meanings to everything he says."

"No," I shook my head. "That was different. It's like he knows something I don't."

"That's Axel for you," Hayden shook his head. "Let's get out of here before Eddy sows up. I'd rather skip the reunion part three."

I nodded, taking ahold of Hayden's hand as I did. Forgetting out fight for the moment, I knew Hayden would have a place for us to hide out, away from all the craziness that Zane and his friends had brought to the breakfast.

Plus, if I got Hayden alone, I might even get an answer to a few unanswered questions.

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And introducing Axel - our main protagonist for Gentlemen's Guide! I hope you all enjoyed :)

How did everyone like it? I'm sorry about the late update, I had writers block up until very, very late last night.

The next update will be on March 18th!

Remember to vote guys!
It means so much :)

Also! Check out The Buddies Rule - Chapter 23 will be up tomorrow!

Thanks guys!

PS: I'm hoping to release a new short story to participate in this month's #JustWriteIt , and I wanted to give you all a small sneak peek into what this story will look like -

Dehydration should be released towards the end of March! Follow me for updates :)