Page 63 of Exes That Puck
“That’s enough!” The ref skates over, but we’re already dropping gloves.
Liam throws first, but I’m ready for it. We go down hard, rolling on the ice while the refs try to separate us. When they finally pull us apart, both our jerseys are torn, and my lip is bleeding.
“Fighting, both players! Ten-minute misconduct!”
I skate to the penalty box, the crowd booing, my teammates staring in disbelief. Coach won’t even look at me.
We lose 4-2. In the locker room afterward, nobody talks to me. I shower quickly and get dressed while the rest of the team goes through their post-game routine.
“Zeke.” Coach appears beside my stall. “My office. Monday morning.”
I nod, not trusting myself to speak.
By the time we’re on our way to Rocky’s party, I’m ready to drink until I can’t think straight. The house is already packed, music pounding, people everywhere. I push through the crowd toward the kitchen, looking for anything that will quiet the noise in my head.
Time to get shitfaced.
24
The dorm room has makeup scattered across both desks, music playing from Payton’s speaker, the familiar chaos of getting ready before a college party. These are the days I live for.
Ava hasn’t cried once since leaving Zeke’s house, which is a little eye-opening. She moves through our space like she owns it, claiming the good mirror and half of Payton’s makeup.
Lola catches my eye in the reflection and gives me a knowing look. She’s the only one who isn’t treating me like I’m making the worst decision of my life when it comes to Zeke. With everyone else, I feel like the stupid girl who keeps going back.
While Ava applies eyeliner, I dare to ask, “Have you talked to Willy?”
She pauses mid-stroke. “I broke up with him. Why the hell would I talk to him?”
I shrug, trying to keep my voice casual. “I don’t know. Make sure he’s okay because you care about him?”
She sets down the liner and turns to stare at me. “I’ve been with Willy for two years, Kare bear. When I broke up with him, I decided to be done. I won’t start fucking my ex because I miss him.”
The words hit like a slap. Water fills my eyes before I can stop it. Payton’s jaw drops open. Emma and Tori freeze in the middle of whatever they were doing. It’s just an awkward silence now.
“Just because Kara is sleeping with Zeke doesn’t mean she’s not done either,” Lola says smoothly, saving me from complete humiliation.
Ava rolls her eyes and lets out a sharp breath. “Look, all I’m saying is that you need to move on. You broke up with him for a reason.”
I stare at her, refusing to let the tears fall. “I think I need some air.”
“You do that,” I hear Ava say as I head for the door. “You need to think twice about what you’re doing. Stringing my brother along.”
I make it to the hallway before Lola catches up with me.
“Are you okay?”
I lean against the wall, finally letting the tears come. “You know what? She’s right. What am I doing?” I try to catch my breath. I point at the door. “That’s his sister in there. His sister! She’s the one saying he doesn’t deserve me. She literally doesn’t know life without him. And if his own sister is saying that about him?” I take a moment to breathe. “Is he that much of a piece of shit, Lola?”
Lola grabs my shoulders and pulls me into a hug. “You have a good heart, Kara. Don’t let her hard-ass attitude make you feel like you’re doing something wrong. You never know what’s going to happen. Maybe this is the last straw and you two willbe done, or maybe you have a future together. Who knows? I’ll tell you who doesn’t have a clue—his sister in there. She doesn’t know shit.”
I huff, leaning into her shoulder. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, Lola. You’re the only one who understands.”
“I’m just your bestie who wants to see you happy.”
“What do I do about the heartbroken menace of my ex’s sister currently occupying my dorm room?”
She laughs, so I start laughing too. Soon we’re both cracking up in the hallway, and the tension breaks.
