Page 22 of Exes That Puck (The Honey Badger Puckers #4)

I watch Kara dance with her friends from across the room, and for the first time in weeks, something light flickers in my chest. Hope. She said we could date—actually date like it’s something new and important worth pursuing. The idea is so pure it makes me smile despite my split lip.

I settle onto the couch where Rocky’s holding court, joint in hand. He passes it to some girl beside him while a small crowd gathers around. Payton approaches with Emma and Tori, but I notice Kara stays back with my sister and Lola. Smart move, keeping distance from the chaos.

The three girls squeeze into the circle, and the easy chatter dies down. Payton leans toward Rocky, saying something I can’t hear over the music. He completely ignores her, taking another hit like she doesn’t exist.

The girls were giggling a second ago, but now they’re stone silent. Payton tries again, speaking directly to Rocky, and this time he stands up and walks away without a word.

“Asshole,” Payton mutters, storming off.

Kara’s face fills with concern when she sees the girls scatter, all five of them chasing after Payton down the hallway.

“Drama,” Scott laughs from beside me.

Carter howls like a fucking wolf, finding the whole thing hilarious. “Wolf boy, where are you going?”

Rocky returns, shaking his head. “Let’s take this to my bedroom out back. More private.”

I glance around for Kara, but she’s busy taking care of her roommate.

I follow the guys through the house to Rocky’s separate bedroom suite in the back.

Scott waves Dylan and his personal trainer over to join us.

We climb the stairs to Rocky’s massive bedroom, and I’m surprised he’s even letting us in here. This is his sanctuary.

He looks out the window at the party below while we find places to sit.

“Truth or dare, Rocky,” Scott announces.

Rocky doesn’t respond, so Scott continues, “Okay, truth. What was that girl whispering in your ear that pissed you off?”

Rocky turns to him with a smirk. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

“Was she howling?” Scott jokes.

Carter howls again, and we all laugh. Fucking idiots.

Then we hear rustling from behind the bed.

“Who’s there?”

Carter jumps over and starts cracking up when he looks on the other side of the bed. “Why the fuck are you two hiding in here?”

Two underclassmen stand up awkwardly, waving and giggling. “Sorry.”

“It’s off limits in here,” Scott says firmly.

Rocky looks them over. “Alright, let’s play truth or dare.”

We form a circle on the floor. Carter and Scott can’t stop staring at Daisy’s chest—she’s in our grade and has a reputation with half the team. They call her Double D, and it’s not just about her initials.

Things get interesting when Dylan and his personal trainer joins the circle. She’s stunning, and suddenly Scott’s attention shifts completely. Dylan looks protective and nervous. I stay out of most of the questions, not wanting to get involved in whatever drama is brewing between Scott and him.

After about ten minutes of this stupid game, I excuse myself. I need to check on my sister and make sure she’s not getting too wasted. I walk through the house, taking a few shots with guys from my sports psychology class, then find all six girls back on the dance floor.

I claim the same couch and watch Kara, sipping my drink. There’s no show this time. She’s not on her knees with her tongue out like at that other party. Though I wouldn’t complain if she was. That was hot as hell, and I want her just like that for me tonight in my bedroom.

The alcohol makes me bold, so I pull out my phone.

Zeke:Ride me like that tonight?

Zeke: God, you’re beautiful.

Zeke:I’m dating the most beautiful woman.

Zeke:I love you so much.

I watch her, waiting for her to check her phone. I’m relieved when she doesn’t because it means she’s having fun, and that’s all I want for her right now.

About thirty minutes later, I can see how drunk she’s gotten. She grabs her phone and reads my messages, her head whipping around the room until her eyes find mine. I’m already staring, and her face lights up like I’m the only person in the room.

She smiles brightly and makes her way over, pointing at me. “You.”

“Me?” I ask.

She nods, and then her lips crash into mine. All I taste is raspberry vodka.

“You are not allowed to text me,” she says against my mouth, then kisses me again. I drink her in like she’s water in the desert.

I hear my sister shouting from behind her, so I flip her off without breaking the kiss.

Ava storms over and rips Kara off me. “You don’t deserve her, asshole!”

When I see Kara kind of stumble back, I stand, using my height as an advantage against my sister, but she’s feisty and drunk as hell, so she doesn’t back down.

“Leave it alone, Ava.”

She shakes her head violently. “Fuck no! Stay away from her! You’re no good for her!”

Kara looks drunk and confused between us. I turn back to Ava and whisper harshly, “I am nothing like your piece of shit boyfriend, Willy. So stop treating me like I’m him.”

She tries to hit me, but I grab her wrists.

“What the hell did Willy do to you? Do I need to kick his ass?” I snark, grabbing attention of other people at the party.

Ava won’t shut up, and people are starting to stare, so I pick her up and carry her outside to cool down. Once she realizes everyone’s watching, she clams up and calms down slightly.

“What did he do?” I ask, setting her down.

Ava crosses her arms, staring at me. Tears stream down her face as she shakes her head.

“Tell me what he fucking did or I’m going to call him,” I warn. “You’re taking it out on me and now on Kara. Stop shitting on her. She doesn’t deserve it.”

“No, you don’t deserve her!”

I step closer. “Tell me why you broke up with him.”

She’s crying harder now, and I don’t know if she’ll tell me, but then she breaks down completely.

“He cheated on me,” she sobs. “Multiple times. With girls from his study group, girls from parties, girls from his internship. I found out three weeks ago and I’ve been pretending everything was fine because I didn’t want to be that girl who gets cheated on.

” Her voice cracks. “I loved him so much, Zeke. I gave him everything. And he threw it away like it meant nothing.”

My heart sinks. This explains everything—her anger, her bitterness toward relationships, her determination to see me and Kara fail.

“Ava,” I say softly, reaching for her.

“Don’t,” she says, stepping back. “I know what you’re going to say.

That you’re different, that you’d never do that.

But you hurt her in other ways, Zeke. I saw how you were with her.

So possessive. You were controlling, you made her feel small, you made her cry.

Maybe you didn’t cheat, but you still broke her heart. ”

The words hit hard because they’re true. I did break her, over and over again.

“I’m trying to change,” I say quietly.

“Really?” She starts to laugh. “Or are you just saying what she wants to hear so she’ll come back?” Ava wipes her nose with her sleeve. “Because I can’t watch another person I love get destroyed by someone who’s supposed to care about them.”

I look through the window at Kara, who’s watching us with worried eyes. “I love her, Ava. More than I’ve ever loved anything. And yeah, I fucked up. I fucked up so bad that I lost her. But I’m in therapy now, I’m working on myself, and I’m not going to make the same mistakes.”

Ava studies my face. “Therapy?”

I nod. “Started this week. And Kara isn’t getting back together with me. We just miss each other and not jumping into anything. We’re taking it slow, figuring out if we can be good for each other.”

For the first time since she got here, my sister looks uncertain instead of furious.

“If you hurt her again,” she says finally, “I will kick your ass. I don’t care if you’re my little brother.”

“I know,” I say. “I won’t.”

She stares at me for a long moment, then nods. “Okay. But I’m watching you.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

We head back inside, and I catch Kara’s eye across the room. She looks relieved that we’re both still alive. I give her a small smile and mouth “later” before helping my sister get some water.

Ava drains the water bottle I bring her, then looks around the crowded party with tired eyes.

“Can I go home with you tonight? Kara’s bed in the dorm was way too small and crowded. I barely slept.”

“Of course,” I say immediately. “You want to leave now?”

She nods, looking drained from our conversation and the alcohol. “Yeah, I’m done here.”

I scan the room for Kara, finding her back with her friends on the dance floor. Girl really can dance the night away. She’s definitely drunk but still having fun. When I approach, Lola notices me first and nudges Kara.

“Hey,” I say, leaning close to her ear so she can hear me over the music. “Ava wants to crash at my place tonight. I’m going to take her home.”

Kara looks past me to where Ava stands waiting, looking smaller than usual. “Is she okay?”

“She will be. We talked.”

Kara nods, understanding there’s more to the story but not pushing for details. She weaves through her friends toward my sister.

“Ava,” she says softly.

My sister looks up, and for a moment I think she might start crying again. Instead, she pulls Kara into a hug.

“I’m sorry for being such a bitch to you,” Ava says, holding her tight. “You didn’t deserve that.”

Kara hugs her back just as tightly. “It’s okay. I get it.”

“I hope you and my brother work it out,” Ava whispers, loud enough for me to hear. “He’s an asshole sometimes, but he loves you. Really loves you.”

I watch them hold each other, two people who’ve both been hurt trying to find their way through it. When they finally pull apart, Ava wipes her eyes.

“Text me,” she tells Kara. “I mean it. We can hang out more now that I’m single.”

“I will,” Kara promises.

Ava turns to me. “Ready?”

I nod, then look back at Kara. “Text me when you get home safe?”

“I will.”

The drive back to my house is quiet. Ava stares out the window while I navigate the late-night traffic. Neither of us mentions what happened outside the party, but something has shifted between us. The anger that’s been radiating off her since she arrived has dulled to sadness.

“Thank you,” she says as I pull into my parking spot. “For listening. For not making excuses.”

“Thank you for telling me the truth about Willy. I’m sorry he did that to you.”

She shrugs like it doesn’t matter, but I can see how much it does. “I just don’t want you to break her the way he broke me.”

“I know,” I say.

Inside the house, I grab her some of my clothes to sleep in and show her where the extra blankets are. She settles onto the couch with a grateful sigh.

“Zeke?” she calls as I head toward my room.

“Yeah?”

“I’m proud of you for going to therapy. That takes guts.”

I stop in my doorway. “Thanks, Ava.”

“Don’t fuck this up.”

“I won’t.”

In my room, I check my phone. No text from Kara yet, but it’s still early. I change into sweats and brush my teeth, thinking about everything that happened tonight. The conversation with Kara about dating. The fight with Ava. The truth about Willy.

My phone buzzes as I’m settling into bed.

Kara:Home safe. Thank you for taking care of your sister.

Zeke:Thank you for being understanding.

Kara:See you tomorrow for our first date?

Zeke: Wouldn’t miss it.

I set my phone aside and listen to the quiet sounds of the house. Ava settling in on the couch, Dylan still out wherever he goes these days, Westley rolling in past midnight. The hum of the refrigerator. For the first time in weeks, everything feels like it might actually be okay.