Page 15

Rilee

I wake up to the smell of disinfectant and the distant hum of a vacuum.

For one disoriented second, I think I’m at the hospital.

Then I sit up, blink, and remember—hockey house.

The carnage of last night’s party should be everywhere. But the hallway’s spotless. Kitchen? Clean. The living room?

Vacuumed. Cushions fluffed. The spilled beer’s gone, and so is the blood.

Hunter is wiping down the counters shirtless like he’s starring in a cursed Mr. Clean commercial.

“Morning,” he mutters without looking at me.

I don’t respond.

Because what do you even say to that ?

Hey, thanks for being weirdly domestic after almost kissing me outside while I was still emotionally drunk on Grayson and sex-dazed from Caleb?

Nope.

I grab my bag and flee.

Lexi’s already at our usual table when I get to the café near campus, a basket of mozzarella sticks steaming between us and her highlighter lid clenched between her teeth.

“Look who survived the Thirst Trap Halloween Massacre,” she says. “You look like someone who woke up in a Lifetime movie titled ‘Too Many Hockey Boys, Not Enough Boundaries.’ ”

I groan and flop into the seat. “Lex. I’m in trouble.”

She dips a stick in ranch. “Did you murder one of them?”

“I kissed Grayson.”

She doesn’t blink. “Okay.”

“And I…” I lower my voice. “Went down on Caleb.”

Lexi blinks now. “Okay, okay.”

“And I can’t decide whether I want to kiss or kill Hunter.”

Lex nearly chokes on her cheese stick.

“I told you,” she gasps, eyes wide. “You’re living in a reverse harem.”

“I’m living in an emotional breakdown. I also bandaged up a bleeding freshman while dressed as a sexy cat.”

Lexi takes a slow sip of her iced coffee. “That’s a lot for one night.”

“Lex—”

“Look. You’re allowed to like more than one person. You’re allowed to feel things. You’re allowed to be hot and smart and horny and confused. But maybe…” She grabs another stick. “Maybe stop panicking about being messy and start owning the fact that you’re the sun in this little solar system.”

“I don’t want to hurt anyone.”

Most of all myself…

“You won’t. Unless you lie. Unless you run. Just be honest.”

I stare at the cheese string hanging from her hand. “You should charge for therapy.”

“I do. It’s $8.99 for six of these bad boys.”

I laugh, and it feels good. Still heavy. Still tangled.

But lighter.

At least for now.

Until Lexi opens her mouth again.

She narrows her eyes like a cat that just scented gossip. “Can we go back to Caleb? You— what exactly happened? And don’t give me PG. I want the IMAX version.”

I groan. “Lex—”

“No. Nope. You do not get to say you gave the hottest golden retriever on ice a blowjob and then brush past that like it was a weather update.”

I bury my face in my hands. “I hate you.”

“You love me. Now tell me: size, stamina, curve? Did he say filthy things?”

I lift my head slowly. “You’re unwell.”

She grins, undeterred. “That’s beside the point. So? Is he… generously proportioned?”

I look at the ceiling like it might save me. “Lexi.”

“Rilee.”

I sigh, slumping back in the booth. “Okay. He’s… pretty. Like offensively pretty. Long. Thick. Perfect ratio. Even his balls were attractive, and I didn’t know that was possible.”

Lexi gasps like I just gave her the antidote to death. “You’re killing me.” She leans closer. “Manscaped, I assume?”

I squeak and nod. The truth is, I still feel bad about the state I left him in.

She smiles, victoriously. “What else?”

“He said things. His voice—it was low and filthy.” Fuck Rilee—you’re gonna ruin me.

My skin heats just thinking about it.

Lexi smacks the table. “I knew it! He looks like a soft boy, but the sweet ones always have a dirty side. Tell me he returned the favor?”

“He did.” Energetically. Enthusiastically.

“And before you ask, yes he knew exactly what he was doing.” I rub my face.

“This is maddening. I’m so attracted to him, but also kissing Grayson the other day was like a full-body experience.

And Hunter— Hunter —looks at me like I’m the reason he’s losing sleep. ”

Lexi leans back, swirling her drink. “You’re in a spiral.”

“I’m in hell.”

“Same thing. But it’s a hot hell. And I’m living for it.”

“Well, it’s over. I told Caleb it was a one-time thing.”

Lexi looks as disappointed as I feel.