Page 44 of That's Too Pucking Bad

“Thanks, honey,” she says, squeezing me back. When she pulls away, she studies me, a little smile on her face. “So… what have you been up to?”

“Oh, uh,” I say, trying to keep my tone casual. “Nothing exciting.”

She raises a brow, but thankfully, doesn’t press further. She’s too busy basking in her own excitement, and I’m just relieved to keep my morning with Zane to myself. For now, at least.

Though, I can still feel the way he bit my bottom lip and remember the way he looked at me when I pulled away after kissing him back.

This is dangerous territory I’m stepping into.

Chapter 8

The locker room’s half-empty when I grab my bag and make my way to the exit, trying to dodge anyone who’d want to chat. No interest in talking tonight.

“Zane!” Caleb’s voice slices through the noise from the guys still showering or goofing around in there. He’s jogging over, looking determined.

I sigh. “What?”

“Where the hell were you yesterday? You missed the team’s whole pre-game prep—”

“Busy,” I mutter, slinging my bag over my shoulder and taking a step past him. But he grabs my arm, yanking me back.

“Dude, c’mon.” Caleb’s face scrunches up like he’s wounded. “You need to fucking tell me what the hell’s going on and stop leaving me in the dark.”

“You think I’m that dramatic?” I shove his arm off me, shooting him a smirk. “Stop being such a girl.”

Caleb laughs, shoving me back. “Maybe I wouldn’t have to if you weren’t being such an ass.” He shakes his head, letting out a big, dramatic sigh. “Look, Coburn. Just…tell me what’s going on.”

I glance around, checking that no one else is listening, then mutter, “My dad’s in town. The whole month.”

Caleb’s face drops. “Damn. You…uh, need me to come stay with you again?”

I feel this weird warmth in my chest— it’s like a reminder that someone in the world does give a fuck about me. When he stayed with me, that was a nice vacation from reality. But I’d never say that out loud. “Nah. Thanks, though. Let’s just go grab some drinks instead.”

A grin breaks across Caleb’s face. “I can do that.”

The bar’s an old favorite—nothing like the fancy joints around campus, but still the kind of place that knows who we are. We walk in, and within seconds, one of the waitresses spots us, flashing a smile that says she knows exactly what we like.

“Zane. Caleb. Long time,” she says as she hands us a couple of whiskey glasses, full to the brim. I catch Caleb sneaking a look down her shirt, typical of him.

“Yeah, it’s been too long,” I reply, throwing her a smirk. “Miss us?”

She winks. “Maybe. You guys here for the night?”

“We’ll see,” Caleb replies, already scanning the place for anyone he’d like to get close to.

I raise my glass, clinking it against his. “Cheers.”

“Cheers to you finally deciding to get out again.” He takes a long drink, eyeing me over the rim. “So…you going to tell me what’s been going on other than your dad? Or is it just your dad’s bullshit?”

I shrug, taking my own sip. “Just dealing with some things.”

“Some things?” he prods. “Come on, I know you better than that.”

I roll my eyes, feeling his stare drill into me. “So Remy’s mom, right? Works at that hospital?”

“Yeah, sure. Okay. What about it?”

I pause, swirling the whiskey around. “I…maybe pulled some strings. Got her mom a promotion.”

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