Page 69 of Puck Me Back to Life

Most of my relationships exist in compartments.

Teammates.

Friends.

Hookups.

Everything stays neatly separated. Kai is already making that impossible. I don't particularly like how much space he's occupying in my thoughts.

Unfortunately, I like him. A lot. I just genuinely enjoy being around him. I enjoy talking to him, getting reactions out of him. I enjoy watching him slowly come out of his shell. And judging by the way he's arguing with Dante about whether reading counts as entertainment, he's finally starting to enjoy being around us too.

I go up and grab a water from the bar. Dante clocks the clear liquid as soon as I sit down.

“The hell is that?”

I look down. “It's called a beverage, Lopez”

“It's water.”

“Good observation.”

“But we're supposed to be getting druuuunk,” Dante whines.

“You and Hayes are more than welcome. But somebody has to drive your sorry asses home.”

Dante points accusingly. “You're abandoning the mission.”

I shrug. Two beers is enough. The truth is that I don't want to be drunk tonight. I don't even want to be buzzed. I want to stay exactly where I am.

Dante eventually gives up trying to convince me otherwise.

The conversation continues. Kai gets increasingly animated. The bartender ends up joining one debate. Two people from another booth contribute opinions. By the end of the night, Kai somehow has half the bar discussing whether movie adaptations ruin books.

The entire thing is absurd and kind of impressive.

Every once in a while, his eyes drift toward me. Checking. Making sure I'm still listening.

Every time I am.

By the time the game ends on the televisions overhead, Dante and Kai are arguing like they've known each other for years. Dante has abandoned any attempt at getting Angela's phone number.

Now he's focused entirely on convincing Kai that horror movies are a waste of time.

Kai disagrees. Mostly because he's discovered how much I like them. The little shit is trying to protect my feelings.

I hide a smile behind my water glass.

By the time I finally pay the tab, Dante and Kai have become best friends. Or at least that's what it sounds like. The two of them are still arguing about books when I drop my credit card on the bar.

Neither notices. The bartender notices. He gives me a look that clearly says good luck with those two.

“Let's go.”

Neither moves.

I sigh. “Kai.”

His head snaps up immediately. “Yeah, Ash?”