Page 74 of Exes That Puck
My first instinct is to say that won’t happen, that I won’t let her down. Instead, I say, “Don’t blame her. You probably should’ve been done with me a while ago.”
She shakes her head. “Don’t do that.”
“What?”
“Say that I’m stupid like everyone else. I’m tired of hearing it.”
I play with my ramen now. “You’re not stupid, Kare. You’re…”
“I am… scared,” she finishes the sentence for me when I trail off. “Because part of me knows that you’re putting on an act. You’re holding back, and I just want you to know that I appreciate the effort.”
I can’t disagree with that, so I nod.
She’s quiet for a long moment, stirring her soup. “I would like to go back to your place and have sex now.”
My stomach clenches. “My sister is at my house.”
She slumps. “Oh.” She chews her lips. “I forgot about that.”
“Raincheck,” I wink. “I won’t disappoint the next time we do.
After dinner, we walk slowly back toward her dorm. When our hands brush, I don’t grab hers automatically. Instead, I pause.
“Can I hold your hand?”
She nods, and our fingers intertwine.
Outside her building, I don’t push for an invitation upstairs or try to extend the evening. Just stand there in the glow of the porch light, memorizing the way she looks right now.
“Thank you for dinner,” she says.
“Thank you for dating me.”
She steps closer and jokes, “Actually, we’re just exes.”
“Okay,” I smirk, searching her face. I look at her lips and whisper, “Can I kiss you?”
She nods softly.
The kiss is sweet. Her lips are soft. We don’t use tongue, and I don’t grab her, wishing for more. I end it with a peck and appreciate having her in my life.
“Text me when you’re inside?” I ask as she steps back.
“I will.”
Walking back to my truck, I mentally update my scoreboard: owned the fight consequences, listened without defending, respected her boundaries at goodbye. Two dates down, and I’m actually learning how to do this right.
My phone buzzes as I start the engine.
Kara:Inside. Thank you for tonight.
Zeke: Always.
Progress feels slow, but it feels real.
When I get home, I plop on the couch next to Ava. She’s scrolling, laughing at something. It feels like home with my sister here.
“How did it go with Kare bear?” she asks, looking over her phone.
