Page 81 of Exes That Puck
“Got you,” I whisper, then let her find her footing again instead of holding on longer than necessary.
We take a break on the bench, sharing a peppermint hot cocoa. The rink is mostly empty, and it’s peaceful in a way that makes conversation easy.
“How was the PR thing?” she asks.
“Actually helpful. Learned how to apologize without making excuses.” I take a sip of cocoa. “My therapist would be proud.”
“You’re really sticking with therapy?”
“Yeah. It’s weird talking to someone who doesn’t know me, but good weird. Makes me think about stuff differently.”
I don’t mention Brianne being at my place. It feels unnecessary—just drama that doesn’t need to affect what Kara and I are building.
When our hour’s up, we walk to my truck and drive to campus. It’s a pretty short drive. We just listen to music, and I watch her in my peripherals.
The campus is quiet when we arrive.
“This was fun,” she says before she gets out. “Even if I almost died several times.”
“You did great. Natural.”
“You’re such a liar.” But she’s smiling.
I almost ask if she wants to come over, the words right there on my tongue. Instead, she looks like she’s about to say something.
“Have a good night,” she breathes.
“Right. Text me when you’re inside?”
“Always do.”
I watch her walk inside before heading back to my house where I’m dreading to be.
When I walk in, Brianne’s still on the couch with Ava, both of them curled up with blankets and what looks like a rom-com on TV.
“How’d it go with Kara?” Ava asks, looking over the couch at me.
“Good. She’s a natural.”
It feels weird having this conversation in front of Brianne, like I’m performing my relationship for someone who has no business judging it. Ava isn’t trying to cause problems. She genuinely wants to know how things went, but the whole situation feels uncomfortable with Brianne here.
Dylan walks in twenty minutes later with messy hair and that satisfied look guys get after good sex.
I raise an eyebrow as I watch him walk through the house. He acknowledges the girls on the couch while I sit at the kitchen table.
My phone buzzes with a text from Carter.
Carter: Cross’ new nickname is Liam Neeson.
Zeke: Why?
Carter: Because he keeps taking people’s pucks.
Zeke: I would love to kick his ass.
Carter: Drop the good guy act and do it. Life is boring trying to be perfect.
Later, lying in bed, I can hear Ava and Brianne talking quietly in the living room. Brianne’s sleeping on the couch, which means she’ll be here when I wake up tomorrow. The thought makes me restless and uncomfortable. I’m exactly where I want to be with Kara. But having Brianne here feels like a test I didn’t sign up for, another variable in an equation I’m still trying to solve.
