Page 115 of That's Too Pucking Bad

Maya leans back, staring at me for a long moment. “You sure he’s not just stressed out from hockey? You know how it gets before a big game. Everyone’s running on fumes.”

“Yeah, I get that,” I say, my voice tight. “But this isn’t just stress. He’s shutting me out. And it’s not just because of hockey.”

Maya bites her lip. “Maybe you should show up to his place, see if you can figure it out. Guys like him, they don’t always know how to talk about their shit. You might have to show up and push it out of him.”

I think about it for a second. “You think that’ll work?”

“I mean, I don’t know. But you’re not gonna get any answers by just sitting around waiting for him to come to you,” she says with a shrug.

I nod slowly, feeling a knot tighten in my stomach. I need to do this. I can’t keep wondering.

“Yeah, you know what? You’re right,” I say, standing up. “I’ll go over there tonight. I’ll fuck it out of him.”

Maya gives a small laugh, knowing smile. “Seduce it out of him. Just don’t give him what he wants first. Make him work for it.”

“I will,” I mutter.

I sit on the edge of my bed for a while, staring at the floor. I can’t keep doing this. I can’t just sit here pretending everything’s fine when I know it’s not. I need to fix this.

I grab my phone, hesitating for a moment before I open a new message to Zane.

Remy: We need to talk. I’ll be over tonight.

I don’t wait for a reply. I’m done waiting. I need answers.

I head to the bathroom, staring at myself in the mirror for a second. I don’t even recognize the girl staring back at me. I’ve never been this distressed over a guy before. And for what? So he can act like I don’t matter?

No.

I’m going to get to the bottom of this.

The trench coat clings to my sweaty palms as I stand at his front door. My heart’s in overdrive, and my brain’s screaming at me to turn around. But I’m here now, and there’s no backing out. I can’t keep wondering where I stand with him.

I press the doorbell. The chime echoes through the massive mansion, making me feel smaller than I already do.

The door swings open faster than I expect, and there he is— Zane, dripping wet, a towel slung low on his hips, water still beading on his chest.

“Remy?” His voice is sharp, but not in a good way. “What the hell are you doing here?”

I try to smile, but it falters. “I texted you. I just… needed to see you.”

His jaw tightens, and he glances around like he’s worried someone might see me. “You texted? You should’ve called? Fuck!”

“I...” I pull the trench coat tighter around me. “I thought—”

“You thought showing up unannounced was a good idea? You should’ve waited to hear back from me.” He steps back, one hand gripping the edge of the door. “You need to leave.”

“Leave?” My voice cracks, even though I try to sound steady. “Zane–” I almost laugh. “What the fuck? You’re avoiding me at this point. And it’s getting old.”

He exhales sharply, running a hand through his damp hair. “I’m busy, okay? Hockey, school, everything. I don’t have time for this right now.”

“Time forthis?” I step forward, letting the edge of my coat slip open just enough for him to notice the black lace underneath. His eyes flicker, but he doesn’t move closer. “You don’t have time for me?”

“Remy.” His voice is low, almost a growl. “This isn’t—”

“Isn’t what?” I snap, cutting him off. “Isn’t convenient for you? Because you sure as hell had time when you wanted me in your bed. But now I’m standing here, and you can’t even look at me!”

His eyes finally lock on mine, and for a second, I think I’ve gotten through to him. But then he shakes his head, stepping back further into the house.

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