Page 101 of Puck Princess

Callie steps closer to me, pulling me against her. “He won’t.”

“How do you know that? He may never have a dad in his life.”

“But Nicky will always have you. He’ll have us. No matter what happens, he’ll have a safe place to be with people who want to love and protect him.”

This night was beyond shitty, but looking at Callie over the countertop, I could not be more grateful I get to end it with her. I cradle her face in my palm. “You really are amazing.”

“Why’s that?” she asks softly.

“Because you so easily love the people I love.”

“What can I say?” She gives a coy little shrug. “They’re easy to love. All of you.”

We lean in for a kiss. But before it can go deeper, it’s broken up by the sound of Summer getting sick in the other room, followed by Nicky fussing.

I sigh against her mouth.

Callie gives me another peck before she pulls away. “It’s going to be a long night, I’m afraid.”

My shoulders sink. “Yeah, it is.”

33

OWEN

“Good morning, Houston! The sun is shining, the birds are singing?—”

“Shut the fuck up.” I punch the radio to the next station. The morning DJ is a bit too cheery for me today. Everything from the traffic, to the radio, to the sun itself is offensive.

No, I’m not hung over—however much I might feel like I am. I haven’t had a drop of alcohol. I also haven’t had an hour of sleep.

Between Summer puking and crying off whatever was in her drink from last night to Nicky crying for hours on end, Callie and I are both fucking exhausted. Both women beat me to the showers, so I grabbed my gear and left. Late, by the way. I know full well Spencer is going to make something of it. But he can suck his own dick for all I care. I am not in the mood to take anyone’s shit today.

I stop for coffee. At this point I am already late and if I’m being honest, I ran out of my apartment too fast to even wait for a K-cup to brew. I pull into the drive-thru and swear under my breath.

“Fucking perfect.”

It’s about twenty cars long. But I’m already late so at this point, it doesn’t really matter. I throw my car in park and pull my phone out, dropping the coach a quick text to let him know. I don’t really care what anyone thinks.

Then I get on social media.

I know I am going to regret it. I know it’s only going to ice the shitcake that is this day but since it’s about my sister, I want to see for myself just how bad the hornet’s nest is shaken up.

Scythes Center Owen Sharpe Rescues Woman From Date Disaster.

Another Street Fight for Owen Sharpe; Scythes Not Pleased.

Owen Sharpe Mr. Steal Your Girl? Leaves With Mystery Woman.

“Awesome,” I mutter, glaring out the window at nothing in particular.

My phone buzzes. It’s Callie.

“Are you seeing this?” her voice fills the car speakers.

“You mean my name once again making all the headlines?”

“Do they not know that Summer is your sister?”

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