Page 55 of That's Too Pucking Bad

My feet move on their own. I don’t even think about it, just heading toward her, trying not to stare too hard.

“Hey.” I’m winded, and I don’t even know why.

She tilts her head, her lips curving into a soft smile. “Hey. Thanks for the albums. And the player too.”

I shrug, trying to play it cool. “Had to make it right, didn’t I?”

“Yeah, I guess.” She looks around like she’s searching for someone. “Where’s Maya?”

“Outside getting some punch or something. She’ll be back.”

She nods, looking down at her hands, and I catch the tiniest hesitation before she speaks. “I’m... I’m only here to say thank you and to make sure you know— we’re just friends, Zane. That’s it.”

I open my mouth to say something, but my mind blanks. Friends. Just friends. I nod, but something’s twisting in me, something I don’t know what to do with. I shove it down, lock it away. “Yeah, yeah, got it. Just friends.”

She nods too, like she’s happy I’m agreeing, and then moves past me, scanning the room until she finds Maya. I stay where I am, watching her from across the room. Friends. I repeat it in my head like a chant.

But I’m an idiot, because as soon as she’s sipping punch and chatting with Maya, I’m already pulling other girls toward me, just to see if she’s watching. Just friends, right? Fine, let’s test that theory.

I lean close to a girl with blonde curls— don’t even know her name— and let her laugh echo a little louder. I make sure Remy’s within earshot, and when I laugh back, I see her glance over, that little flicker of interest. Her gaze sharpens, but it’s only for a second before she looks away, pressing her lips together and sipping her punch.

That’s enough to have me pulling another girl close, another flirt, another laugh, while Remy stares a little harder into her drink. She’s trying to look bored, trying to look like she doesn’t care, but I see her lips tighten. I notice the way she won’t look in my direction.

Maya gives her a little nudge and says something, probably telling her to let it go, to chill out, but Remy’s shoulders are stiff, and she’s fighting to keep that indifferent look.

An hour later, I’m outside, needing air and something less chaotic than the noise inside. I lean against the wall, running a hand through my hair, when I hear footsteps. I glance over, and there she is, her face half-lit under the outdoor lights.

“Enjoying the party?” I ask, trying not to sound too eager.

She gives a small nod, barely meeting my eyes. “Yeah, I guess so. You seem like you’re having a great time in there.”

I smirk, folding my arms. “Just making the most of it.”

She glances away, biting her lip, and that one little move— hell, it’s enough to get my blood boiling. She has no idea what she’s doing to me.

“Wanna go for a walk?” I ask, my voice lower than usual.

She hesitates, just for a second, but she nods, moving past me as we head down the dimly lit path. I fall into step beside her, trying to ignore the fact that we’re alone out here, away from all the noise, all the chaos.

After a few steps, I stop, turning to face her. “I gotta know something, Remy.”

She raises an eyebrow, crossing her arms. “What?”

I lean closer, lowering my voice. “Do you feel anything for me? Anything at all?”

Her gaze hardens, and she sets her jaw. “Zane, we’re friends. I told you that. Just friends.”

“Yeah?” I bite out the word, not letting it go. “Because it didn’t look like you were too happy with me and the girls tonight. Looked like something else was going on there.”

Her eyes narrow. “You’re imagining things. I don’t care who you’re with.”

“Right,” I say, sarcasm dripping off the word. “Look, Remy, here’s the deal. If you walk away from this party tonight, I won’t come after you again. I won’t chase you down, won’t bother you. It’s your choice. You want me to leave you alone, then I will. You just have to say the word.”

She stares at me, something flickering in her eyes, and for a split second, I think she’s going to say something, maybe admit something she doesn’t want to admit. But then she straightens up, her face going cold.

“Okay. I’m leaving.”

And with that, she turns, walking back up the path without looking back.

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