Page 58 of Exes That Puck
I stare at the photo, heart hammering, until I recognize the familiar slope of her nose, the way she’s slouching.
Kara:That’s his sister Ava.
Lola:Thank God. I was about to storm over and ring his neck.
Kara:I’ve hooked up with him twice without texting you about it. Sorry.
Lola: When?
Kara:Last time was the other morning.
Lola: Morning sex?
Kara: Ugh. I know.
Kara:We might have said I love you.
Lola: What!
Kara: Like three times.
Lola:Shit! Well this party at Wolf Boy’s is going to be insane. You need to look hot.
I set my phone down and stare at my textbook, the words blurring together. Ava has been with her boyfriend Willy for a while. If she’s here unexpectedly, something’s wrong.
Kara:I still need to tell Payton. I feel so bad, but I don’t feel like dealing with the lectures.
Lola:Just tell her. It’s not a big deal.
Lola:You’re going to dress hot as hell and have him begging for you on Saturday.
Kara:Should I text him to make sure everything’s okay with his sister? Ava has a boyfriend she’s had forever, so if they just broke up, that’s not good.
Lola:Do what you want.
Lola:I still can’t get over morning sex.
Kara:Should I text him? See how much he tells me?
Lola:Yeah, see if he’ll tell you the truth. See if he’s really changed.
I put my phone face-down and force myself to finish two chapters of reading. My reward will be texting Zeke. Two hours later, I pick up my phone to find an encouraging message from Lola waiting. I text Zeke.
Kara: Tonight?
Three dots appear, then disappear. I stare at the screen, waiting.
An hour passes before my phone finally buzzes.
Zeke: Ava’s staying here.
Zeke:She doesn’t know we’re broken up, so come over if you want to.
I screenshot the messages and send it to Lola immediately.
Kara:He didn’t tell his sister that we broke up.
Lola:Oh, you should go over there.
