Page 75 of Exes That Puck
I inhale. “It’s good, but she keeps mentioning how we’re exes.”
“And you’re worried?” she asks.
I shrug. “I don’t know. First we were hooking up and now we’re dating without hooking up, and I’m just confused about where this is going.”
She kicks me with her foot that’s on the couch. “I swear all guys care about is sex.”
I roll my eyes and stand. “Nope. No, you’re not doing this.” I walk away, shouting, “La la la,” as she talks just like I used to when we were kids.
I walk into my room and lock the door. I laugh at the situation I’m in. She bangs on the door, and I shout,la la lalouder.
28
The afternoon lull at Barnes & Noble means I can actually look around the store and pretend I’m working. Then a customer walks to the checkout line, and that’s my cue to get back to work.
“Hey, Kara,” Harry says with a smile that’s a little too bright. “Didn’t know you worked here.”
We had a few classes last year together.
“Just part-time,” I say, taking the Stephen King’s book from him. “The Shining. Classic choice.”
“Yeah, figured I should read something besides textbooks.” He leans against the counter. “You into horror?”
I scan the barcode, keeping things professional but friendly. “Some of it. King’s a really good writer, so I’ve read it.”
“Maybe you could recommend something else sometime?” He’s definitely flirting now, which is harmless enough but makes me slightly uncomfortable.
I nod. “Yeah. Of course.”
The door opens and I saw, “Welcome to Barnes and… Noble.”
Zeke walks in with Ava. He looks at Harry and then back at me. My heart sinks into my stomach. Ava pulls her brother towards the magazines, but I can tell he’s clocking the interaction. My stomach tightens reflexively. This used to be the kind of moment that triggered fights.
Harry leans closer. “Maybe we could read something together. Something you haven’t read yet.”
The receipt starts to print, so I hand it over.
“Enjoy the book,” I say, handing him his receipt. But he doesn’t take the hint.
“Are you in a book club or anything? I’d love to talk about this after I read it.”
I’m aware of Zeke in my peripheral vision, but he’s not storming over or making a scene. He’s just… waiting. Studying a display of staff picks now like he’s genuinely interested.
“I’m pretty busy with work and school,” I tell Harry gently. “But there are some great online forums if you want to discuss King’s work.”
He finally gets the hint and leaves with a disappointed but polite goodbye.
When my break comes fifteen minutes later, I walk over to where Zeke and Ava are sitting in the café area with drinks.
“Mind if I join you for a few minutes?” I say.
“Please,” Ava says, scooting over to make room. She looks better today. Less puffy-eyed, more like herself.
“What are we rating?” I ask, settling beside them.
“Seasonal drinks,” Zeke says, pushing a pumpkin spice latte toward me. “Ava thinks anything pumpkin-flavored is a scam.”
“It tastes like candles,” Ava insists. “Three out of ten, and that’s being generous.”
