Page 12 of That's Too Pucking Bad

I hesitate, then pull out the list from my bag. I don’t want to show her, but I need those books. They’re required, and I can’t bullshit my way through psych without them. “There’s this… list,” I say quietly, sliding the paper across the table.

My mom picks it up, scanning it quickly. She doesn’t say anything for a minute, just stares at the paper. Then she folds it neatly and tucks it into her purse.

“We’ll figure it out,” she says, her voice calm. “Maybe we can hit up the thrift shops this weekend, see if we can find any of these used.”

I nod, biting my lip. “Okay. That sounds good.”

We sit there for a while, just chatting about nothing—work, school, the usual. It’s nice, even though I know she’s stressing about the cost of everything. Still, she doesn’t let on. Before I leave, she squeezes my hand and says, “I’m so proud of you, Remy. You know that, right?”

I smile at her, but it feels tight. “Yes. Thanks, mom.”

On the way back to school, my mind’s a mess. I hate that she’s working so much, and I hate even more that I’m not there to help her. But I also know I can’t fuck up this chance. She’s right—I have to focus on school. Still, the guilt lingers, gnawing at me the whole way back.

When I get to my room, I expect it to be empty. Maya mentioned something about going to a concert tonight, so I figure I’ll have some time alone to get my shit together. But when I push the door open, I stop dead in my tracks.

Caleb is there. And his face… is in between Maya’s legs.

I freeze. My brain shuts down for a second, and I just stand there like a total idiot. Maya catches my eye first, and instead of being embarrassed or apologizing, she just bursts out laughing.

“Shit, Remy!” she says between giggles. “You should’ve knocked!”

Caleb doesn’t even look phased. He glances up at me, smirking. With that, I see her full on vagina. Jesus Christ.

“Did you bring those chips?” he asks like nothing’s happening.

I blink. “Uh… no.”

He shrugs and goes back to what he was doing. She arches her back with a deep breath.

I walk over to my bed, trying to act like this is normal. I sit down, pretending to look at my phone, but my brain is still trying to process what the hell I just walked into.

“So, how was your mom?” Maya asks, not missing a beat like we’re just having a regular conversation.

I clear my throat, trying to ignore the awkwardness. “She’s fine. We had lunch at the hospital.”

Maya wants to say something else but instead she grabs Caleb’s hair. “I don’t think I can come with an audience, babe.”

Caleb pulls away from Maya and kisses her forehead. “See you tomorrow night?” he asks, his voice low and teasing.

Maya grins. “Wouldn’t miss it.”

“Good.” He turns to me, flashing me that cocky smile of his. “You can come, too, Remy. But you’re not allowed to run off like you did last time.”

I roll my eyes. “I had to get home early.”

“Uh-huh,” he says, not buying it. “Well, no excuses this time. We’re hitting up Dax’s place, and you’re coming.”

I sigh, but I can’t help smiling a little. “Fine. I’ll come.”

“Perfect,” he says, giving me a wink before heading for the door. “Later, ladies.”

The door clicks shut behind him, and the room goes quiet for a second.

Maya grins at me. “You know, you really need to loosen up. You’re too uptight.”

“I’m not uptight,” I say, folding my arms.

She raises an eyebrow. “Really? Because the look on your face when you walked in was priceless.”

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