Page 29 of That's Too Pucking Bad

Maya gives me a knowing smile. “Well, if you change your mind… I’ll be here for the front-row seat to the Zane and Remy show.”

I groan and pull a pillow over my face. “I swear, you’re the worst.”

She cackles. “You’re welcome.”

As I lay there, pillow over my face, trying to block out the world, all I can think about is those piercing blue eyes and the way he looked at me last night. Fuck.

This is going to be a problem.

A huge one.

The next day, I sit in the same spot, staring at the table. Maybe he won’t show up today. Maybe this whole thing was a one-time deal. Maybe Zane Coburn has better things to do than bother me.

But that’s not how it goes.

I hear him before I see him. The low, confident drawl sends a shiver— no, not a shiver— a freaking annoying jolt of awareness through my body.

“Hey, baby.”

The nickname causes me to panic. He slides into the chair across from me, all casual like we’re a thing, like he didn’t just drop out of nowhere into my life and ruin my peace.

I look up, my fingers tightening around the pen in my hand. I chew my lip nervously and then I ask, “Why are you bothering me?”

Zane smirks, leaning back like he owns the place. “If you wanted to sit with someone else, you would have. But you’re here, and here I am. So, clearly, you wanted to see me. You enjoy spending time with me, don’t youslut?”

I roll my eyes ignoring the flutter in my chest. “You’ve got issues, and I am not a slut.”

He grins wider, his eyes sparkling like this is all some sick game to him. Which it probably is.

Reaching into my bag, I pull out the phone he gave me and toss it onto the table. “Take it back. I don’t need it.”

He glances at the phone, then at me. “It’s yours.”

“I have a phone.”

Zane raises a brow, feigning surprise. “Oh yeah?”

I nod, pulling my own phone out of my pocket and holding it up. “See? Very functional, actually. I don’t need a new one.”

Before I can even process what’s happening, his hand darts out, grabbing my phone right out of my hand.

“Hey! Give it back, Zane!” I hiss, but it’s too late.

“Oh, so you know my name now?”

“I’m serious, Zane,” I say a little louder.

A couple of people nearby shush me, but I don’t care. I reach for my phone, but he’s too quick, pulling it just out of my grasp, and keeping his damn eyes locked on mine the whole time. Then, as if he hasn’t already proven himself to be the world’s biggest jerk, he drops it on the floor.

And stomps on it with his boot.

The sound of glass cracking fills the quiet space, and my heart stops. My brain is stuck between shock and disbelief as I stare at the shattered remains of my phone.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” I whisper, standing up, my voice tight. People glance over again, but I don’t care. “That was my fucking phone! My mom saved up to buy me that!”

Zane doesn’t flinch, doesn’t even blink. He just stares at me, calm as ever, like this is all part of his twisted plan.

“That one was shit,” he says casually, leaning back in his chair again. “You’ve got a better one now.”

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