Page 81 of Puck Prince

Does he consider this a relationship? Is something about it real to him?

And if so, how do I feel about that?

My stomach lurches as the plane hits another bump.

That.That’s how I feel about this. That’s how I feel about everything lately.

Owen gives me a ride home from the airport. It’s quiet at first, but not an uncomfortable quiet. I’m just grateful to be able to look out the window and have my hands free of barf bags.

A few minutes into the ride, he turns his attention from the road to me. “Feeling better?”

“Surprisingly, yes. Your driving is better than the pilot’s.”

“I can flip it into sport mode if you want to put that to the test.”

“I’ll smack you.”

Owen grins and looks back through the windshield. The radio drones on at a low volume. The world outside is a hum of white noise.

“I’m sorry,” I blurt out suddenly. “About not being at the game. I know that looked bad. You know, since we are supposed to be a couple and all. I was just feeling… off.”

Owen shrugs. Not in an assholeish way, but a genuineNo skin off my backkind of way. “It’s cool. I’m sure you’re under a lot of stress lately. New job. New city. New relationship.” He emphasizes that last part, and we both laugh a little. “Not to mention living with Kennedy. I’ve only lived next door to her, but the walls are thin. I can see that being a little chaotic at times.”

“She’s kind of a wild one.” I admit. “Maybe that’s why my uncle took me in so willingly. He wanted my influence to rub off. I was the good girl compared to her.”

“Are you really, though?”

“What do you mean?”

His eyes stay on the road, but his smile is full of mischief. “I just think there’s a salty layer under all that sweetness.”

“Oh, do you?”

“Yep. Spoiler alert: I know there is. I’ve seen it.”

My cheeks flush at that, and I look away, shaking my head.

And yet, I am still smiling.

“That said, if you ever need a break from your crazy cousin, my door is always open.”

“That’s really unsafe. Anyone off the street could walk right in. Have you ever considered hiding a spare key?”

That makes him really laugh, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t rather proud of myself.

He has a great laugh.

When we pull into the parking lot, I unbuckle my seatbelt. It’s been a whirlwind of a trip, that’s for sure. So much has happened in the last couple days. Some good, some bad. (I don’t want to think about the bad). And even more that I’m not really sure how to feel about.

Like right now.

That feeling is back. The feeling that I don’t see why we can’t take advantage of the relationship just because it’s fake. The fact Owen has killed the engine, and we’ve both unbuckled, but we are just sitting here… That says something. Hints at something. And I’m considering letting it lead to something.

I know I shouldn’t.

Neither of us should.

The last thing we need is to complicate this whole charade even more by blurring the fine print.

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