Page 64 of Exes That Puck
“She is a menace,” Lola agrees.
We walk back in, and luckily, it’s not awkward.
The house of the party is insane. Three stories of chaos, music thumping from multiple rooms, people everywhere.
“This is Wolf Boy’s house?” I ask, stepping through the front door.
Payton grins, looking around in awe. “I guess so. Impressive, right?”
Ava whistles low. “Where are his parents?”
I feel Lola and Tori watching me, probably wondering if I’m going to spiral about being at a hockey party.
“Emma, let’s grab drinks,” I say, pulling her toward the kitchen.
She follows willingly. “How are you?”
“I am so ready to get fucked up tonight.”
We start mixing drinks. There’s vodka and we use whatever juice we can find. The kitchen’s crowded, but we manage to claim a corner of the counter.
“Please don’t judge me for Zeke,” I say quietly.
Emma pauses, turning to face me fully. “Honestly, Kare, I’m not judging you. If you want to be with him, be with him. If you don’t, don’t. I think it’s simple.” She shrugs. “The one foot in and one foot out thing is confusing for all of us, but if it’s working for you two and you’re doing good, then just treat it like dating.”
That thought sparks something in me like an injection of liveliness rippling through my body, but also relief floods through me because she’s being nice about it.
“That’s really sweet of you, Em. I love you.”
“I love you back. Now, let’s drink but not get too fucked up. I have a feeling his sister is going to need you tonight. I get the impression she’s very angry at her brother.”
We make eyes at each other and then look over at Ava. She is definitely going to need a babysitter.
We return to the group with drinks, and everyone cheers before taking a sip. Emma gives me pointed looks when Ava drains her cup and immediately asks for more. I follow Ava as she weaves through the house.
“Where’s my asshole brother? Is he coming here?”
I shrug. “I don’t know.”
She rolls her eyes. “It makes sense the more I think about it. Zeke and Willy are like two peas in a pod. Do you remember that time they ditched us, and we found them obsessing over some game at Dave and Busters?”
I smile at the memory despite myself. It was back when everything was good between us. Zeke gave me a piggyback ride to his truck afterward, and we went back to his place and had amazing sex that night.
“They were best friends,” I admit.
“I get why. They’re both...” She makes a choking gesture with her hands.
I grab her arm, laughing. “Ava!” I raise my eyebrow at her. “What’s your plan tonight? Are you getting fucked or fucked up?”
She almost spits out her drink. “Wasted, Kare bear. Being single has turned you into a party animal, huh?”
I finish my drink and gesture for another. “Maybe.”
She shimmies her shoulders. “We’re both single. Let’s have some fun.”
“With the girls,” I add firmly.
The party grows more crowded as the night progresses. I spot Dylan walking through with a gorgeous girl I’ve never seen before. Payton keeps trying to work her way toward Wolf Boy, but he’s surrounded by hockey teammates, and she can’t find an opening.
