Page 70 of That's Too Pucking Bad

He’s done with me, turning back to his TV. I can’t get out of there fast enough. I walk to my room, the weight of the conversation sitting heavy on my shoulders.

Once the door shuts behind me, I lean against it, rubbing a hand over my face. What the hell have I done? I can’t get her out of my head— Remy, that smile, the way she laughs. It’s all just stuck on repeat, messing with me.

I toss my phone on the bed, grab my stick from the corner of the room, and start tapping a puck against the wall. The thud of it bouncing back feels good, steady, like I can actually control something right now.

I hit it harder, the puck slamming into the wall and back. “Damn it!” It’s not enough. Nothing’s cutting through this knot in my chest.

I drop the stick, falling back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. I can’t shut her out. Can’t stop seeing her with Colin,that stupid grin on his face. And I’m the one left feeling like a complete idiot.

“Fuck!”

I pick up my phone again, scrolling through the contacts. Caleb’s been blowing up my phone. I hit call, pacing the room as it rings.

“Zane! What the hell, man?” Caleb’s voice is sharp. “You’ve been MIA.”

“Yeah. Just had to handle some shit,” I say, trying to sound nonchalant.

“Handle what? Something for the Reapers? Shit’s been going down with them.”

I grip the phone tighter. “Does it matter? No, man. I’ve had enough of that Reaper shit. I had other matters today.”

“Right, because you always keep shit to yourself,” he snaps. “You good?”

“Yeah, I’m fucking good.” I’m not even close to fine.

“I covered for you.”

I hang up, tossing the phone back onto the bed. I’m not in the mood to deal with Caleb’s concern or questions.

I plop onto the bed, staring at the ceiling, and I can’t help it. Thoughts of Remy invade my mind. The way she looks in those tight jeans, that laugh that makes everything seem okay. God, I want to see her. But after seeing her with Colin, I know I need to keep my distance.

I roll over, burying my face in the pillow, but it doesn’t help. I close my eyes, wishing I could turn back time to when everything was simple. I groan, knowing I’m trapped.

Zane Coburn doesn’t get tangled in this crap. I just have to keep my head in the game. But as the darkness settles in, I know I’m lying to myself. The harder I try not to think about her, the more she creeps back in.

This is going to be one hell of a mess, but for my sanity, I have to find a way out of it.

Chapter 14

I glance at my mom over the kitchen counter as she stirs her tea, looking a little too observant for comfort.

“So, how are things with you and Colin?” she asks, a hint of curiosity creeping into her voice. “I barely see him around here lately. Busy, I suppose?”

I shrug, trying to sound casual, like it doesn’t matter. “Yeah, we’re fine, Mom. Actually, he was over yesterday. We just hung out, played some card games.” I try to keep my voice steady, as if I don’t have a care in the world. “Same as usual.”

My mom gives me a small, approving smile, and for a second, I think she might drop it. But then, her eyes narrow just slightly. “You’re glowing, you know that?”

I feel a blush creeping up, praying she doesn’t figure out exactlywhyI’m glowing. “Mom, c’mon. I’m just... happy, I guess.” I fumble with the mug in front of me, hoping the heat from the coffee hides my face.

She sips her tea, thankfully moving on. “So,” she says, changing the subject, “the new hours at work are actually great. And did I tell you? They’re opening a new wing at the hospital. State-of-the-art stuff.”

“That’s amazing, Mom! Really proud of you.” I give her a quick hug, the relief washing over me as she talks about work instead of my relationship. “Hope you get some sleep tonight,” I say as she heads out.

The second she’s gone, though, I’m left alone with... well, all ofthis.I drop into the couch, sighing. Today’s been a total mess. I wanted to talk to Colin, clear things up, but he got all nostalgic on me instead.

We spent the afternoon walking down memory lane— him going on about old trips, our first date, even how he’s kept that stupid concert ticket from our first night out. And here I am, practically zoning out as he talks, my head somewhere else. Somewhere...with someone else.

What the hell am I even doing? I shake my head, feeling a twist of guilt settle in. I think about Zane. It’s embarrassing how much I miss him right now, how much I want to see him, right now.

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