Page 131 of Puck Prince

“Fine,” I groan, letting my head tip back. “It’s hot.”

He kisses the column of my throat. “Oh, yeah? How hot?”

I roll my eyes and shove against his chest. “I’m leaving.”

“Are you sure that’s what you want? Because I have a few minutes to spare. My closets are even bigger than the one at your new complex.”

I reluctantly extricate myself from him. “Say hi to Summer for me, okay?”

“She can wait…”

“Bye, Owen!” I walk out and close the door before he can say anything else that makes me want to stay.

Because I am right on the edge of locking us both in that closet and staying there forever.

I have a goofy smile on my face when I walk back into Kennedy’s apartment. It quickly fades when I see her sitting at the table, frowning down at the coffee mug in her hand.

“It’s too early to be that serious. What happened?”

“I keep thinking about the other night at Pour Boys.”

Weird, I keep tryingnotto think about the other night at Pour Boys.

“Oh? What about it?”

“Did you recognize the guy I was dancing with? It was right before you and Owen ran out?”

My heart catapults into my throat. “Why do you ask?”

“Owen asked about him. The night you two went home together, he came over later and had some questions.”

Of course he did. I knew he couldn’t leave it alone.

“The way he was asking, it just felt like he knew something. Maybe something I don’t.” Kennedy turns to me. “Is there something you aren’t telling me?”

There are a dozen somethings I’m not telling her, but this secret could put her at danger. I should’ve told her that night. I should’ve matched across the bar and ripped her out of Spencer’s arms.

As penance for not doing that, I blurt out the truth now. “It was Spencer.”

Kennedy’s jaw drops to the table in horror. “It was— SpencerSpencer. Like, your Spencer? Well, he’s notyourSpencer, but…Your Spencer?!”

All I can do is nod.

“Callie!” she shrieks.

“I know.”

“Why the fuck didn’t you say anything? I would’ve… punched him in the dick or something.”

I take a deep breath and join her at the table. “Honestly, I was in shock. I saw him and it took my brain a moment to process it. I thought it was a nightmare. And then I just… panicked.”

“But you still could’ve told me,” she protests. “You could’ve texted me. Or come home and said something. Callie, I wouldn’t have gotten within a hundred feet of the guy if I knew it was him!”

“It’s not your fault; it’s mine.” I say. “You’re right: I should have said something. If anything, because he’s a creep and a horriblehuman being, and you could have gotten hurt. I was worried you were going to go home with him. Or bring him back here.”

She looks disgusted. “Not a chance. I mean, the guy was good-looking and all, but he gave off seriously bad vibes. I couldn’t pinpoint it at the time. But now, I know why.”

“I’m sorry.” I put my arm around her, and she hugs me back. I want to leave it there, but I have to ask. “Did he say anything about me?”

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