Page 1 of Exes That Puck (The Honey Badger Puckers #4)

“Your ex won’t stop staring at me,” Payton says, flicking her manicured fingers in his direction like she’s shooing off a fly. She wiggles them with an exaggerated scowl. “He’s still staring. I swear, it’s creepy.”

Tori sips her drink and follows Payton’s line of sight. Emma’s head whips around instantly. Lola hesitates, pretending she doesn’t care, but even she caves and sneaks a glance.

I don’t want to look. I shouldn’t look. I didn’t come here tonight for him. We came for Payton and her wolf-boy mission. That’s it. Not for me. Not for him.

“Don’t look at him,” Tori warns me, though she can’t tear her own gaze away. “You need to leave him in the past.” She raises her voice, enough for half the room to hear. “He’s a toxic asshole, and you can do better.”

My chest tightens. My eyes betray me, skimming the crowd until they lock onto Zeke Wilshire.

His dark hair falls over his forehead as he lifts a beer to his mouth.

When our gazes meet, he doesn’t flinch, doesn’t even pretend he wasn’t staring.

He just looks at me hard and steady until every hair on my body rises.

Then he flicks his attention to my friends and rolls his eyes, turning back to his crew like he couldn’t care less.

“Obsessed,” Payton mutters. “He’s literally so obsessed with you, Kare. You just looked away and he’s already staring again.”

Emma raises her brows and zones out at the ground, silent judgment dripping from her expression.

None of them like him. They tolerated him when I was wrapped up in him, but nobody thought we were good together.

They were right. We were gasoline and fire.

Burning fast, burning hot, until we scorched each other to ash.

I left because I had to. Because I couldn’t keep drowning in fights and tears.

“Once a guy starts telling you who you can and can’t hang out with, it’s done,” Tori says, turning her sharp eyes on me. “I’m proud of you, Kara. Don’t go back.”

I swallow hard, forcing a sip of my drink.

I don’t remind her that I wasn’t the perfect girlfriend either.

That most of those fights started because of me.

That I hated how he made me, how he made me lose control until I felt like I was unraveling.

None of that matters now. We’re over. And I need to keep it that way.

“Let’s just find wolf boy,” I mutter, scanning the room for the hockey player Payton has been obsessing over all week.

She doesn’t even know his name. Just calls him wolf boy because of his blue eyes.

He’s on the same team as Zeke. Same world I don’t want to be sucked back into.

I never met most of his teammates. Zeke didn’t exactly encourage a social life outside of us.

Which is why my girls are relieved to have me back. I was out of the loop for months.

“He’s not here,” Payton says, craning her neck. “Not yet anyway.”

“Okay,” I say, draining my cup. I grab Tori’s hand, tugging her toward the music. “So, let’s dance.”

The girls follow me, except for Lola, who announces she needs a stronger drink.

The rest of us sway into the crush of the dance floor, hips catching the beat.

I pull Payton close, grinding against her with a laugh.

Tori jumps in, and soon we’re a ridiculous train of bodies, laughing, bumping, wild with the kind of freedom I almost forgot existed.

I throw my cup in the air, dancing like I don’t care, when Payton suddenly drops to her knees. She sticks her tongue out. Tori tips her beer over, pouring it into her mouth. Foam spills down Payton’s chest as she chokes out laughter.

I glance across the room. Zeke’s watching.

His eyes are locked on me, daring me. My lips curl into a grin, and I sink down beside Payton.

I stick out my tongue, letting Tori pour beer into my mouth too.

Beer overflows, soaking my dress, dripping between my breasts, sliding down to where my thong absorbs the last of it.

I choke, swallow, laugh. It’s messy and reckless and I don’t care. I hold his stare the whole time.

Lola appears with her phone, recording, yelling, “Hell yeah, girls!” She pushes me back down to my knees. Her eyes gleam with mischief. “He’s watching,” she whispers, low enough only I can hear. “Let’s give him a show.”

She tips liquor straight into my mouth. This one burns. I cough, but I stand, wiping my mouth. Lola leans in and kisses me. Warm, unexpected lips crashing into mine. My eyes go wide. My heart stutters. Shit. Everything about this feels wrong.

“Lola?” I gasp when she pulls back.

She just laughs, hugging me tight, whispering in my hair, “You’re welcome.”

Payton’s jaw practically hits the floor. My stomach twists. I don’t swing that way. Not like that. And when I lift my gaze, Zeke isn’t even watching anymore. He’s on his phone.

Which buzzes in my pocket.

Payton yanks me away, dragging me toward a corner. “What the hell was that?”

“I don’t know,” I mutter, head spinning. “I have no idea.”

“Don’t cry,” Payton says quickly, grabbing my cheeks. “Kara, don’t cry.”

I didn’t even realize tears were rolling down my face until she wipes them away. Violation burns on my lips, in my chest. I rip free from her hold and pull my phone out.

Zeke: You don’t need to do that to get my attention.

My eyes snap across the room. He’s staring again. My pulse skitters everywhere, betraying me. My phone buzzes again.

Zeke: So you’re gay now?

My throat closes.

“What is it?” Payton presses.

“I need a second.” My voice shakes.

She nods, concern in her eyes, but I’m already pushing through the crowd, bolting out the front door. Cool night air smacks me in the face. I rush down the porch steps only to freeze at the sound of his voice.

“Leaving so soon?”

Zeke comes down the steps slow, like I’m a wild animal he doesn’t want to spook. Hands up, palms open. The move is so familiar it hurts.

I swipe the tears from my face, taking a step back. “What do you want?”

“You look upset.”

A humorless laugh breaks from me. “Yeah, well, that’s nothing new for you, is it?”

“Hey, Kare. I’m just trying to help. Let me take you home.”

The nickname digs like claws. “The last thing I want is to be anywhere near you.”

I storm off, no plan, no idea where I’m going.

His footsteps close in, and suddenly he’s walking along side me. “Come on, Kara.”

“Drop it, Zeke.” My voice sharpens, déjà vu burning in my chest. He pushes and pushes until I explode.

“Kara.” His hand catches my arm. Not rough. Gentle. Enough to make me pause.

My eyes snap to his. I am so not in the mood for this right now. Lola’s voice echoes in my head, “let’s give him a show.”

Zeke steps closer, eyes dark. “I don’t want you kissing anyone else.”

“We’re broken up. What I do doesn’t concern you anymore.”

I spin away, but he jogs ahead, blocking my path. I try to sidestep. He mirrors me. My blood simmers.

“Leave me alone, Zeke.”

His jaw flexes. “Are you kissing her to piss me off?”

I glare. “Get over yourself.”

His lips twitch. “You’re so hot when you’re mad.”

I scoff, “That’s the problem! You think I’m hot when I’m mad. When I’m crying. When I’m begging you to leave me alone!”

He holds up his hands. “Fine. I’ll back off. Just let me get you home safe.”

“I came here with my girls, and I’m leaving with them.”

“Your girls?” His laugh is sharp like it’s a joke. “Come on. I’ll take you.”

“No.” I cross my arms.

He takes a step closer. “Come on, Kare. We can talk on the way.”

I take a deep breath, searching his eyes for any trace of bad intentions. I don’t see any red flags. Zeke can be sweet when he wants to be, and that’s the thing. It’s the same exact trap I can’t fall for.

“I’m walking around the block to cool off. I’m not going home without Payton.” I start walking on the sidewalk.

He watches me walk past him. “Okay, fine. I’ll make sure you’re safe on your little walk around the block.”

I stay two steps ahead of him, annoyed that he’s here but also a little relieved.

“You know,” he starts. “You don’t have to do those things to get my attention.”

“Do what?” I ask.

He walks up beside me and does charades of what he saw in there. Me with my tongue out, beer being poured down my body, and then kissing.

I playfully push him and roll my eyes.

He grabs my wrist, and I stare into his eyes at the heat of his palm.

“Zeke,” I warn.

“What’s it going to take?” he whispers, pulling me closer.

“For what?” I ask but I already know the answer because this is what we do. We’re always breaking up and getting back together. It’s embarrassing at this point. And this time I swore I wouldn’t go back. No healthy couple breaks up this much. We are no good for each other.

He rubs the back of his hand on my cheek and says, “You always resort to breaking up with me, Kare. It’s not fair. And I’ve given you space in the last two weeks.”

He’s right. He has. It’s the longest breakup we’ve had so far, but I really can’t go back.

His eyes look at my lips, and my stomach pinches with butterflies. When he leans in, I close my eyes. I don’t know if it’s denial, adrenaline, or desire, but I don’t pull away. I should though. I should not let this happen.

He kisses me gently, and it feels like it’s the first time all over again. His warm lips caress mine, seeking permission. I peak at him, and he’s watching me. Both hands are on my cheeks, and then he closes his eyes, kissing me deeply.

I’m a little shell shocked at how natural this feels. It feels like the first but like I could do this forever. It’s not fair when we’re talking bodies.

Fuck, I just made a big mistake.

I break away, stumbling back a step, my gaze locked on the ground. Shame twists in my gut. “We can’t—”

“Kara, just come back to my place and we can work it out.”

For a weak moment, I want to say yes. I want to be wrapped up in him, accept his apologies because I deserve that much, but then I remember all the nasty things he’s said to me. Anger flares hot in my throat.

I open my mouth to tell him off, but Payton’s voice cuts through the night. “Kara?”

I spin, heart lurching.

Zeke whispers, “You’ll come back. You always do.”

Payton jogs toward us, worry stamped all over her face. Her eyes flick to Zeke, narrowing in instant judgment. My eyes snap to Zeke’s. Arrogant jerk.

I hope Payton didn’t see my moment of weakness. I really don’t want to hear it.

I force a shaky smile at her. “Just needed some air. Can we go?”

She slips her arm around my shoulders, already steering me back toward the house. I let her, refusing to glance over my shoulder, even though I can feel Zeke’s eyes burning into my back.

“Did you find wolf boy?”

She shakes her head. “He’s not here. Maybe next time.”

My stomach sinks because I don’t know if I want there to be a next time.