Page 79 of Your Pucking Mom

Alex shook his head. “Not right now.”

He pulled out one of the stools from the oversized island and watched as I took an embarrassingly long pull of the beer. “You got something to say?” I asked.

Alex’s grin stayed painted on his face as he watched me and shook his head. “No, I’m watching your breakdown unfold.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m not having a fucking breakdown.”

Alex leaned against the island, staring at me. “Seems like it. Canceling family dinner for another week? The last time you got a pass for hooking up?—”

“Don’t say her name,” I growled as I leaned against the cool concrete wall. “I’m not having a breakdown,” I repeated, probably more for myself than for Alex.

“Cool,” Alex said as he stood, shoving the stool underneath the counter. “Then you’re coming to family dinner. We’re having extra guests this week, and quite frankly, you need to show up.”

“Fine. I’m going like this.”

He looked me up and down again with that stupid grin spread across his face again. “You sure?”

I nodded, taking another beer from the fridge and shoving it into the pocket of my sweats. “Fuck yeah. If you’re going to make me go to this fucking dinner instead of vegging out and watching the game with whatever mystery guest you and Stassi have invited, then I’m going to show up grumpy.”

Alex shook his head. “You know, you sound like Damien when he’s having a tantrum.”

“Whatever.”

I nodded toward the door where Alex let out a small chuckle before I grabbed my keys and headed out. I was admittedly glad he pulled me out of the house, because I would’ve spent all night wallowing.

“Tell me more about this guest,” I said as we hit the button for the elevator. Stassi and Damien lived a floor below me.

“Ah, it’s just a friend of Stass’. You’ll know more soon, I suppose.” Alex folded his arms and leaned against the railing in the elevator.

“You’re being weirdly evasive.” I crushed the empty beer can in my hand but held it because no matter how grumpy I was, I hated when people littered.

The elevator dinged, and we casually walked to Alex’s door.

“Last chance to change your…” Alex looked down at my shirt again as his hand hovered over the door handle. “To change your stained white shirt and sweats.”

I curled my lips. “Nah. If you want me here so badly, then I’m coming as I am. Are you embarrassed?” Hoping he would say yes and let me free from tonight’s burden, I shoved the empty can into my other, free pocket.

“Nope,” Alex said, letting out another laugh. “Let’s go in.”

I shook my head as he opened the door. “You guys are leaving for the bye week this week?”

“Yeah. We’re going to spend a few days in Door County.”

Alex pushed open the door, and I followed him, knowing I could spend the next seven days alone as long as I got through this one obligation.

41

auburn

“It was so nice for Mrs. Popov to invite you for drinks tonight.” Austin lifted his feet onto his dark wooden coffee table as he flipped on the basketball game.

“It was nice…unexpected but kind.” I had almost rejected the invitation, but I was on the phone with Emma when I got the text from Stassi. She said she’d gotten my number from Austin and wanted to get to know me better, so she invited me for drinks at her place.

I’d spent the past few weeks trying to avoid Ledger. He’d texted me a few times, and every time I went to respond, I stopped myself. My scars were too scary for anyone to see, so I did what I knew best. I put up a wall and closed off my heart, not letting myself get too close to anyone.

Emma told me I needed to make some girlfriends out here, as long as I didn’t replace her. As if she could be easily replaced. A good friend, someone you had in your life no matter if times were good or bad, was so rare it felt like being welcomed home on a cold rainy day.

But Ledger?

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