Maya Thompson had know Axel Petrov was annoying
What she hadn't known was that living with him would be a full time job in patience.
She stood in the kitchen door way the next morning, arms crossed, watching him.
He was leaning against the counter like he owned the place, scrolling through his phone with one hand while drinking coffee with the other. Is injured shoulder was still in a sling, but somehow he still managed to look intimidating.
And shirtless
Maya immediately looked away.
"Do hockey players it believe in shirts? She muttered.
Axel didn't even glance up.
"Do sisters of my best friend not believe in knocking?"
"This is the kitchen."
"And?"
"You don't own the kitchen."
He finally looked at her then, grey eyes sharp with irritation.
"Did you come here to complain or are you actually going to do something useful?"
Maya gasped.
"Wow, still a jerk, I see."
Axel smirked.
"Still dramatic, I see."
Maya marched over to the fridge, grabbed milk, and slammed the door harder than necessary.
"You know," she said sweetly, "most people would say thank you for letting them stay here."
Axel raised an eyebrow.
"You're staying here."
"Because my brother said I could."
"And I said you couldn't."
She poured cereal into a bowl.
"Good thing your opinion doesn't matter."
For a moment the kitchen fell quiet except for the sound of the spoon hitting the bowl.
Axel watched her.
Really watched her.
Which was a mistake.
Because the awkward teenager he remembered was gone.
In her place was a woman with confident posture, sharp eyes and a stubborn tilt to her chin that made something uncomfortable twist in his chest.
He cleared his throat
"You still talk to much."
Maya rolled her eyes.
"And you still think being rude is a personality trait."
Axel pushed himself off the counter.
"Trust me, Thompson. If I was actually trying to be rude, you'd know."
"Oh please. You used to make fun of me every time I walked into a room."
"That was years ago."
"You hid my backpack once."
"You cried."
"I was fifteen."
"You cried a lot."
Maya narrowed her eyes.
"You're unbelievable."
Axel shrugged
"You're still here."
She pointed her spoon at him.
"You know what your problem is?"
He leaned closer, clearly amused.
"No, but I'm sure you're about to tell me."
"You think the whole world revolves around you."
"Not the whole world."
"Oh really?"
"Just hockey".
Maya scoffed
"Typically."
Axel was about to fire back another sarcastic comment when she suddenly slipped slightly on the kitchen floor.
It happened fast.
One second she was standing confidently
The next she was losing her balance.
Axel reacted without thinking.
His good arm shot out and grabbed her waist, pulling her steady before she could fall.
For a brief moment, they froze.
Maya's hands were pressed against his chest.
Axel's hands were still wrapped around her waist.
They were suddenly very close.
Close enough that Axel could see the tiny freckles across her nose.
Close enough that Maya could feel the warmth of his breath.
Neither of them moved.
Then Maya cleared her throat and stepped back quickly.
"I had it handled," She said
Axel crossed his arms.
"Sure you did."
She grabbed her cereal bowl.
"Don't get used to saving me, Petrov."
His lips curved slightly.
"Don't worry, Thompson."
His voice dropped just a little.
"I'm not planning to."
But as Maya walked out of the kitchen, Axel watched her go.
And for the first time since she arrived....
He had the uncomfortable feeling that two weeks might be a very long time..