Page 91 of Exes That Puck
“Kara—”
“Josh wants to take me to dinner. Maybe I’ll let him do more than that. Show Zeke exactly how ‘free’ I can be.”
Lola grabs my arm. “That’s not going to make you feel better.”
“Won’t it?” I pull out my phone, scrolling to Zeke’s number. “Let’s find out.”
“Don’t call him,” Lola pleads.
But I’m already hitting dial, and the phone is already ringing.
“Kara?” His voice sounds rough, tired. How long have we been at this bar?
“Hey,” I say, trying to sound casual despite the alcohol slurring my words slightly. “Just wanted you to know I’m having a great time without you.”
Silence on the other end.
“I’m at the bar, and there are so many guys here who actually want to talk to me. Who don’t run off to lock themselves in bedrooms with their exes.”
“Are you drunk?”
“Maybe. Does it matter? We’re broken up, right? I can do whatever I want.”
“Kara, where are you?”
I spit, “Don’t you dare. I don’t need you to rescue me. I have Josh for that now.”
I hang up before he can respond, feeling vindicated and hollow at the same time.
Lola is staring at me with a mixture of concern and disappointment. “Feel better now?”
I drain my drink and tap the bar. “Can I sleep over your place tonight?”
She nods. “Of course.”
“Thank you. You’re such a great friend. Let’s get out of here because Zeke shows up.”
She nods, so I follow her out.
33
I was trying to have an early night, but that drunk call from Kara has me completely wired. I pace my room for ten minutes, trying to figure out what the hell I’m supposed to do.
My sister’s at Elly’s place. Brianne’s gone back home. Scott’s crashed on the couch, but he’s a complete idiot who’d probably make things worse. Westley’s never had a serious girlfriend as far as I know, so his advice would be useless.
I knock on Dylan’s door. No answer. I crack it open, but he’s not even here.
Fuck it.
I throw on a hoodie and grab my keys. First stop is the karaoke bar, then The Lounge, then the dive bar near campus that stays open late. I go in and out of each one, asking bartenders if they’ve seen a brunette about five-foot-six, probably drunk and pissed off.
At the third place, the guy behind the bar nods. “Yeah, she was here with a blonde girl. Left maybe an hour ago.”
I drive straight to her dorm, taking the stairs two at a time. The RA lets me up without question, apparently my face shows exactly how desperate I am.
I pound on Kara’s door until it opens. But it’s just Payton, scowling at me.
“Where’s Kara?” I ask.
