Page 78 of Exes That Puck
As soon as I hit send, my phone starts ringing with a video call. From Instagram. My heart jumps into my throat.
I sit up in bed, looking over at Payton’s empty bed and wishing she were here. The phone keeps ringing, and my nerves spike with each buzz. Finally, I answer but keep the camera facing the ceiling.
“Kara?” Josh’s voice comes through the speaker. I can see his face on the screen. The same dark hair, the same crooked smile that used to make my stomach flip.
I grab the phone properly. “Hey, Josh. Why are you Face Timing me?”
He laughs, and the sound brings back memories I’d buried. “Just wanted to see your face. Make sure it’s really you.”
Reluctantly, I flip the camera so he can see me. “It’s me.”
“There she is.” His smile widens. “How are you?”
“I’m good. How are you?” I repeat, suddenly self-conscious about my messy hair and lack of makeup.
He leans back in what looks like the driver’s seat of his car. “Good. I just saw your post, saw your face, and wanted to say hi.”
“Hi,” I say lamely.
He laughs. “Yeah, uh... sorry this is more awkward than I imagined. It’s not like we’re bumping into each other around campus anymore.”
“Yeah.”
“You’re doing good though?”
“Yeah,” I mutter.
“Still dating that hockey player?” he asks.
The question catches me off guard. “No. No, I broke up with him.” Technically true, even if we’re dating again. “What about you? Still with...” I trail off, not wanting to say her name.
“No. She broke up with me. Said I was too much.”
I raise my eyebrows, not entirely disagreeing with that assessment.
“You agree with her?” he asks, reading my expression.
“I mean... I don’t know. No comment. You broke up with me, remember?”
He stares at me through the screen, his expression growing more serious. “Why did I do that again?”
I roll my eyes. “Wow, that’s how little it meant to you? You can’t even remember?”
“Nah, I remember, Kare. You wanted more, and I couldn’t give it to you.”
The old nickname sends an unwelcome flutter through my chest. “So why are you calling me now?”
He shakes his head. “I just wanted to say hi.”
“Oh…kay.” I perch my lips. “I’m gonna go.”
“Wait… uh, I’ll be in town this weekend. Want to link up?”
The phrase makes my stomach turn slightly.Link up.So casual, so meaningless.
“It’ll be harmless,” he continues. “Just catch up as friends.”
I find myself nodding before I can think it through. “If it’s just as friends, sure.”
