Page 43 of These Pucking Boys

I grow serious. We definitely shouldn’t broadcast what we did. Too many snakes would try to exploit our private lives for their own gain. We could take the hit, but June couldn’t. The last thing I want is for her to get hurt.

CHAPTER 18

JUNE

When Jake and I returned to the apartment, there wasn’t time for a tour. He showed me where the bathroom was and told me I could eat anything. After they left, I felt pretty glum. It’s been fifteen minutes, and the sensation of abandonment hasn’t gone away. I’ve been sitting on their comfortable L-shaped leather couch without moving, staring into nothing.

My stomach grumbles, reminding me I haven’t eaten anything today. And I’ve been operating without coffee. I need to fix that pronto, before I develop a headache. I get up and head to the kitchen, but my hope for coffee plummets when I stare at the fancy espresso machine.

“Shit. How does this thing work?”

I look at all the buttons and knobs but can’t figure it out. It looks super expensive.You’ll end up breaking it, June.I might have to head out to grab a coffee.

I open the fridge in search of something to eat. It’s fully stocked with all kinds of promising things, but my eyes immediately zero in on the bottle of cold brew. Katrina hates iced coffee, but I could mainline it.

“Thank God.”

Besides the coffee, I grab cheese, ham, butter, and bread. It takes me a few minutes to whip up a sandwich and less than that to inhale the whole thing. I guess last night’s sex marathon worked up my appetite.

Energized and with caffeine running through my veins, I’m motivated to get organized. The first order of business is to charge my phone and then call roadside assistance to tow my car to a garage. I hope it’s nothing major. I can’t afford an expensive car repair.

While my phone charges, I take my laptop out of its bag and search for places to live. Even if I can stay at Mrs. Carpenter’s apartment for now, it’s temporary. I need to know what my prospects are. But after ten minutes of checking listings, I’m sick to my stomach. As I already suspected, I won’t be able to afford my own place.

My phone pings as it comes back to life. Several different people are waiting for replies to texts, including Mom and my brother, Autumn. Ugh. They know about my epic fiasco. I didn’t tell them I planned to propose to Bill last night, and they don’t watch hockey, so I didn’t worry about them. Someone must have told them, and I bet my humiliation is juicy gossip in good old Baron, Texas.

The messages from my mother start with Honey, what were you thinking? and the last one is all-caps: CALL ME!

“Yeah, fat chance of that happening this second.”

Autumn’s text is better.

Never liked that guy. Do you want me to come over and beat the shit out of the douche?

I laugh despite the growing sadness in my chest. I don’t think I want Bill back. I’m mourning the death of the relationship I thought I had.

Katrina left several messages too, and the last one is about the selfie with the boys I posted on social media. I want to call her and tell her everything, but first period has already started, so I reply with a text instead.

Girl, those hockey players are hot. I want all the deets.

Call me as soon as you can.

I don’t expect a reply right away, so when my phone rings a minute later, it startles me. It’s Katrina.

“Hey.”

“June, how are you, baby girl?”

“I’m okay. Aren’t you supposed to be in class?”

“I couldn’t wait until the end of the first period. I’m in the bathroom. Tell me everything.”

“I can’t tell you everything over the phone. There’s a lot to tell.”

“Ugh... don’t do this to me. At least tell me you hooked up with one of those boys,” she whispers.

My face becomes hot in an instant. “The answer is yes.”

“Yes! Who?”

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