Page 79 of Secret Puck
I trudge home with dread and guilt weighing down each step. No matter how many times I tell myself it’s none of his business, I can’t find any solace in it.
Adam’s sitting on the couch with his phone to his ear when I walk into the apartment. I hesitate, but ultimately decide a shower is what I need before he goes nuclear on me. When I’m clean and dressed, he’s still sitting in the same spot—sans the phone to his ear. He doesn’t even look at me as I join him in the living room.
I’m already sweating again with uncertainty on how to navigate this. Quick and honest, rip off the Band-Aid.
“It’s not what you think.”
A growl escapes from his chest and his eyes turn to angry slits. Fuck. Okay, that wasn’t the best opening, I admit.
“Okay, it’s what you think,” I backtrack.
“Of all the girls, man. You can have any other one, but not her. Not my baby sister.”
“I’m sorry if it pisses you off. Maybe I should have told you. Not because I think I need your permission, but out of respect. I’m sorry for that, but I’m not sorry for digging your sister. She’s awesome and I like her a lot. I don’t need your permission,” I repeat. “And Ginny doesn’t need it either, for any guy she decides to date.”
“Ginny said as much.” He stands. He’s a good three inches taller than me and he uses every single one. “You can honestly tell me you think you’re good enough for her? Fuck man, I see how you are with women. I don’t want that for her, is that so hard to understand?”
He doesn’t wait for my answer before heading to his room and slamming the door.
“He and Tarynare sitting guard in the living room,” I tell Ginny on the phone later.
The two of them never hang out at our apartment. That’s part of the Adam Scott boyfriend experience—bending over backward for his girl and always staying at their place. Or that’s what I hear. Since this is my first year living with him I don’t really know, but Rauthruss made an offhanded comment once that Adam hardly ever has girlfriends sleep over.
“So, I’ll just come over. What’s he going to do? Kick me out?”
“No, but he might kick me out.”
She groans. “This is stupid. I can date whoever I want.”
“He’s just looking out for you.”
“I don’t need him to look out for me.” She sighs into the phone. “I guess it’s best to give him a couple of days to cool off.”
My chest tightens, and I wonder if in a couple of days she’ll decide it isn’t worth making waves. Maybe that’d be for the best.
The next morning, though, she’s waiting outside of the dining hall for me and a goofy grin pulls at my lips.
I hug her and she laughs. “Miss me?”
“Yep.” I take her hand and follow her through the line for omelets.
“I need my hand back,” she says, and I realize I’m still holding her palm in mine.
We take our usual table. Mav drops into a chair beside her a few minutes later. “Hey there, Romeo and Juliet.”
Ginny laughs. “Their families were enemies—this isn’t really that sort of thing.”
“Well, itisa Shakespearean tragedy, anyway. What are you going to do?”
I shrug. Thought about it all night long and I still don’t have an answer.
“I’m heading home tonight. I’m sure by the time I get back on Sunday, he’ll be over it.”
I’m not so sure.
After my morning classes, I head back to the apartment. Ginny’s on her way home for the long weekend, and the prospect of spending that many days without her is a real bummer.
Rauthruss is on the phone with Carrie. Mav and Adam are still on campus. I’ve got my newest package from Chloe and Nathan, so I grab it and walk to my room.
