Page 21 of Exes That Puck (The Honey Badger Puckers #4)

The dorm room has makeup scattered across both desks, music playing from Payton’s speaker, the familiar chaos of getting ready before a college party. These are the days I live for.

Ava hasn’t cried once since leaving Zeke’s house, which is a little eye-opening. She moves through our space like she owns it, claiming the good mirror and half of Payton’s makeup.

Lola catches my eye in the reflection and gives me a knowing look. She’s the only one who isn’t treating me like I’m making the worst decision of my life when it comes to Zeke. With everyone else, I feel like the stupid girl who keeps going back.

While Ava applies eyeliner, I dare to ask, “Have you talked to Willy?”

She pauses mid-stroke. “I broke up with him. Why the hell would I talk to him?”

I shrug, trying to keep my voice casual. “I don’t know. Make sure he’s okay because you care about him?”

She sets down the liner and turns to stare at me. “I’ve been with Willy for two years, Kare bear. When I broke up with him, I decided to be done. I won’t start fucking my ex because I miss him.”

The words hit like a slap. Water fills my eyes before I can stop it. Payton’s jaw drops open. Emma and Tori freeze in the middle of whatever they were doing. It’s just an awkward silence now.

“Just because Kara is sleeping with Zeke doesn’t mean she’s not done either,” Lola says smoothly, saving me from complete humiliation.

Ava rolls her eyes and lets out a sharp breath. “Look, all I’m saying is that you need to move on. You broke up with him for a reason.”

I stare at her, refusing to let the tears fall. “I think I need some air.”

“You do that,” I hear Ava say as I head for the door. “You need to think twice about what you’re doing. Stringing my brother along.”

I make it to the hallway before Lola catches up with me.

“Are you okay?”

I lean against the wall, finally letting the tears come.

“You know what? She’s right. What am I doing?

” I try to catch my breath. I point at the door.

“That’s his sister in there. His sister!

She’s the one saying he doesn’t deserve me.

She literally doesn’t know life without him.

And if his own sister is saying that about him?

” I take a moment to breathe. “Is he that much of a piece of shit, Lola?”

Lola grabs my shoulders and pulls me into a hug.

“You have a good heart, Kara. Don’t let her hard-ass attitude make you feel like you’re doing something wrong.

You never know what’s going to happen. Maybe this is the last straw and you two will be done, or maybe you have a future together.

Who knows? I’ll tell you who doesn’t have a clue—his sister in there. She doesn’t know shit.”

I huff, leaning into her shoulder. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, Lola. You’re the only one who understands.”

“I’m just your bestie who wants to see you happy.”

“What do I do about the heartbroken menace of my ex’s sister currently occupying my dorm room?”

She laughs, so I start laughing too. Soon we’re both cracking up in the hallway, and the tension breaks.

“She is a menace,” Lola agrees.

We walk back in, and luckily, it’s not awkward.

The house of the party is insane. Three stories of chaos, music thumping from multiple rooms, people everywhere.

“This is Wolf Boy’s house?” I ask, stepping through the front door.

Payton grins, looking around in awe. “I guess so. Impressive, right?”

Ava whistles low. “Where are his parents?”

I feel Lola and Tori watching me, probably wondering if I’m going to spiral about being at a hockey party.

“Emma, let’s grab drinks,” I say, pulling her toward the kitchen.

She follows willingly. “How are you?”

“I am so ready to get fucked up tonight.”

We start mixing drinks. There’s vodka and we use whatever juice we can find. The kitchen’s crowded, but we manage to claim a corner of the counter.

“Please don’t judge me for Zeke,” I say quietly.

Emma pauses, turning to face me fully. “Honestly, Kare, I’m not judging you.

If you want to be with him, be with him.

If you don’t, don’t. I think it’s simple.

” She shrugs. “The one foot in and one foot out thing is confusing for all of us, but if it’s working for you two and you’re doing good, then just treat it like dating. ”

That thought sparks something in me like an injection of liveliness rippling through my body, but also relief floods through me because she’s being nice about it.

“That’s really sweet of you, Em. I love you.”

“I love you back. Now, let’s drink but not get too fucked up. I have a feeling his sister is going to need you tonight. I get the impression she’s very angry at her brother.”

We make eyes at each other and then look over at Ava. She is definitely going to need a babysitter.

We return to the group with drinks, and everyone cheers before taking a sip. Emma gives me pointed looks when Ava drains her cup and immediately asks for more. I follow Ava as she weaves through the house.

“Where’s my asshole brother? Is he coming here?”

I shrug. “I don’t know.”

She rolls her eyes. “It makes sense the more I think about it. Zeke and Willy are like two peas in a pod. Do you remember that time they ditched us, and we found them obsessing over some game at Dave and Busters?”

I smile at the memory despite myself. It was back when everything was good between us. Zeke gave me a piggyback ride to his truck afterward, and we went back to his place and had amazing sex that night.

“They were best friends,” I admit.

“I get why. They’re both...” She makes a choking gesture with her hands.

I grab her arm, laughing. “Ava!” I raise my eyebrow at her. “What’s your plan tonight? Are you getting fucked or fucked up?”

She almost spits out her drink. “Wasted, Kare bear. Being single has turned you into a party animal, huh?”

I finish my drink and gesture for another. “Maybe.”

She shimmies her shoulders. “We’re both single. Let’s have some fun.”

“With the girls,” I add firmly.

The party grows more crowded as the night progresses. I spot Dylan walking through with a gorgeous girl I’ve never seen before. Payton keeps trying to work her way toward Wolf Boy, but he’s surrounded by hockey teammates, and she can’t find an opening.

Then I see Zeke. He stands across the room looking bruised and on edge. There’s something wrong. His shoulders are tense, and he has dark eyes. It takes everything in me not to go over and ask if he’s okay. But Ava would never let that fly.

“Come with me to the bathroom,” Lola says, appearing at my elbow.

I follow her through the house, still moving to the music. The bathroom line is predictably long, and I’m swaying slightly when I feel someone behind me. Lola looks up, and when I turn around, I see Zeke up close.

His lip is split, and there’s yellow bruising along his jawline.

“What happened?” I ask immediately.

Zeke looks at Lola. “Can I steal her for a moment?”

Lola glances between us. “Really?”

“I’ll be right back,” I tell her, following him down the hall. I check over my shoulder to make sure Ava didn’t see us.

He pulls me into an empty bedroom and closes the door.

“Your sister is wild,” I say.

“You haven’t seen anything yet,” he jokes.

I reach for his face, alcohol making me bold. My body feels warm, and there’s a pulse deep in my belly from being this close to him.

“Are you okay?” I ask.

He grabs my hips, staring at my lips. “No. I’m not okay,” he says, and he sounds serious. “Tell me I’ve been good.”

I search his face, wondering what he means. And then I nod. “You’ve been good.”

“I mean it, Kara. Tell me that I’m not crazy for thinking that...”

I touch his split lip gently. “Thinking what?”

“That you’re just sleeping with me until you find someone new.”

Butterflies explode in my stomach. “Is that what you think is happening?”

He shrugs, then continues, “I just don’t know if I can change. I’ve never loved anyone like I love you and it scares me. You have the power to destroy me, shatter me into a thousand pieces that I don’t think I can put back together, and I...”

I don’t want him to stop. This is what I’ve been waiting for—real feelings instead of anger and accusations.

“What?” I plead.

He shakes his head. “I’m trying so hard, but I don’t know if you’re even noticing. I don’t know if you think I’m even worth it.”

“I had a wise friend tell me something,” I whisper, leaning closer.

“Yeah?” His hands tighten on my hips. I can smell the alcohol on his breath, and I realize that’s where this vulnerable boldness is coming from. He’s a little tipsy.

“Emma told me we could treat this like dating. Instead of all the way in or all the way out, we date.”

A slow smile threatens to take over his face. “And what do you think?”

I shrug. “I think it’s the smartest thing anyone has ever said to me.”

He searches my face, holding me tight. “So we go backwards?”

I nod. “We take a few steps back to go ten forward.”

He searches my eyes, then drops his hands and rubs his face. “That’s actually a brilliant idea.”

He picks me up suddenly, spinning me around. I squeal and laugh.

“Date me, baby. Date me forever. Our first date can be tomorrow.”

I kiss his cheek, careful to avoid his injured lip. “We’re still not together, okay? The rules still stand.”

He places me back on my feet.

I continue, “Your sister is going to be pissed.”

He shrugs. “Let’s not tell her. Deal?”

I look into his eyes, feeling calm wash over me for the first time in weeks. “Deal. Now let’s get back to our friends.”

I turn to leave, but he catches my wrist. “Wait. If Ava gets too drunk tonight, she’ll pass out early. If she does, do you want to come over?”

I feel him through his jeans and smile. “Yeah, I’ll text you.”

His face lights up with that smile I love most. “Okay.”

We slip out of the bedroom just as Lola emerges from the bathroom. I run up to her, and she looks between us suspiciously.

“How did it go?” she whispers.

I can’t stop blushing. “It’s good. Now let’s have fun tonight. Just us girls.”