Page 36 of Exes That Puck
“Let him live in his secrets,” I say, deflecting. The irony isn’t lost on me that I’m defending Dylan’s privacy while sitting on my own secret.
My knee starts bouncing around 9:47. I check my watch, then check it again. 9:58.
“I’m gonna head out,” I announce, standing.
“Already?” Carter asks. “Game’s not even over.”
“Early morning tomorrow.”
The chirps follow me to the door, accusations about mystery girls and secret plans that hit closer to home than they know. I play it cool, but I’m pretty sure I fail.
The drive home takes forever despite every light being green. No texts waiting on my phone, which is exactly right. We agreed on one-line logistics only. No confirmation needed.
Dylan’s light is off when I get home, the side door still unlocked. Thank God. The house is quiet.
I walk into my bedroom, staring at the time on my phone. It’s 10:16. Maybe she’ll be a few minutes late, maybe she’ll change her mind entirely.
My heart races at the presence of someone in my room.
Shit, she scared me. I wasn’t expecting her to be here already.
Kara sits cross-legged on my bed, wearing the hoodie I gave her last night, lamp turned low. She looks up when I enter, and the sight of her in my space steals my breath.
“Hey,” she says softly.
“You’re here.”
She cocks her head to the side. “Where were you?”
“Dinner at Carter’s.” The words come out steady despite my racing heart.
“Oh.” She considers this, and I can see her processing that I was with friends instead of sitting here waiting for her. “That’s good.”
“Yeah, hockey game was on. It was fun.”
Adrenaline courses through me like I just finished a shift in overtime. She’s here, in my room, and I want her more than I’ve ever wanted anything. But we have rules now. Boundaries that matter.
“You want some water? Something to eat?” I offer, staying by the door.
“I’m okay.”
Neither of us moves to close the distance. The space between us hums with electricity, but also with the careful respect we’re both learning to practice.
“I need to change. Brush my teeth. I’ll be back.” I grab clothes from my drawers.
“You don’t have to change,” she says, watching me rummage through the drawers.
I look at her.
She shrugs.
“Okay then,” I grin and rush to the bathroom, scrubbing my teeth and tongue with my toothbrush. I walk back to the room and lock my bedroom door behind me.
“I’m happy you’re here,” I say, trying to hide my nerves. I know I can be the man that she needs.
She stands, walking to me. “Yeah?”
I don’t know where this confidence is coming from, but it looks good on her. I’m already rock fucking hard.
