In Your Pucking Dreams, Captain

Reunion with My Ex

Kendra’s PoV

[Unknown: Still waiting. It’s rly important. I’ll b rly quick]

[Me: •••]

Last night, I had the nature channel on. This furry arctic fox chased down a shrew through the snowy winterlands of Alaska. Surely, that shrew’s heart was speeding faster than light, knowing it was its last day on the planet.

That’s how I feel right now.

I rubbed the top of my racing chest, taking deep breaths. Yet, I couldn’t shake off the invisible grip of Simon’s hand on my wrist.

My eyes shifted to Dad. As helpless as I was, Daddy wouldn’t waste time pulling up a shotgun.

“What should I do?” I asked Dad.

My phone chirped again. Another text from Simon. [Don’t make me come in there.]

I chewed my lower lip. “Brat. He's going to throw a tantrum.”

I grabbed my bag, planted a kiss on Dad's forehead and tucked his sheets to his sides. “See you soon,” I whispered.

With one final glance at his peaceful body, I slipped out the door.

As soon as I charged outside the hospital, I marched past the parking lot with my head low, and hands deep in my pocket as the cold winds whipped into my face. Thankfully my coat kept me warm.

Maybe some clown got a hold of Simon's phone and was pranking me.

But a powerful engine revved. Its expensive roar tightened my stomach and I promptly jumped as a familiar Harley motorcycle glided next to me.

I lifted my gaze.

Simon had his helmet on, flashing a two-finger salute.

I circled my fists. A middle finger would be wasted on a dumb prick like him.

“Slow down, would ya?” His muffled voice called.

I stopped, turned to face him. “What do you want, Simon?”

He removed his helmet, dirty blond hair was nearly uncombed, green eyes sunken with a dark gaze. They were evil, I thought.

“What’s with the piercings?” He asked, drawing a circle to his face. “Must have hurt so bad, because you’ve got zero tolerance for pain.”

“Yeah, and along with six billion people on the planet,” I replied dryly. “Are you minoring in fashion now, Simon?”

Simon frowned.

I gave him a dark look. “Not a bad thing though, you’ve always got the spark for narcissism.”

His head dropped back as he laughed, making my skin crawl. “Has it been a month already?” Simon asked. “I forgot how much you could never put a lid on that big mouth of yours.”

I crossed my arms, keeping a watch on his hands.

“My d**k sufficed,” I heard him murmur.

Fight or flight was embedded in every human being—it kept us alive, so why resist? When my palm struck Simon’s cheek, his head jerked sideways. I relished the red marking forming on the skin.

“Go shove it in a pencil sharpener then!” I barked at him before stomping off.

“…freaking bitch.” His growl came from behind.

I increased the pace of my footsteps down the sidewalk.

The entire area seemed to be deserted. Not a single soul walking about. Where the hell was everyone today?

“Kendra, wait!”

His footsteps thumped, getting closer. I reached for my smartphone, thumb shaking over digit nine.

Shoot.

His hand took hold of my elbow and circled in front of me. “Enough fooling around. You have something I want!”

I wrangled free from his clutches, swallowing. Simon thought he was a tough guy. Everything about him stunk of cowardice. How did I ever fall for his charms?

“Geez, go screw yourself, Simon,” I hissed. “Aren’t you having a blast drinking horse pee at your frat parties?”

He scoffed. “You have no idea how frats work.” Now he was smiling. “But of course, you let your minion, Edith, harass me all over the internet because you miss me.”

“No I don’t!”

“Yes, you absolutely do.”

He whipped out his phone, swiping at the string of messages on the screen.

From me.

I shut my eyes.

I didn’t need to look at the words. They were marked in my head.

“I miss the sound of your voice. Times are changing, you have a future to look forward to, and that you were scared of what mine holds. Science fiction isn't my cup of tea, but I wish I had a time machine to go back and stop my Dad from falling apart. Maybe he was afraid of failing me; I’ll always love you, Simon.”

“See, the evidence is right here, Kenny.” Simon smirked.

I was a different person a month ago. Crying into my pillow for hours straight. Hoping Simon would reply.

It’s not like he cheated on me with some other girl.

Ever since he tried to hurt me in the locker room, my blood boiled at the mention of his name, but that version of me has been buried and cremated.

I opened my eyes to the Gladiators logo on his wristband, warming up a little.

“I have nothing left for you.” I finally answered.

“Not so fast, except that pendant I gave you for your sweet sixteenth.”

It was a simple butterfly with gold lining the edge. I wore it every day to school like a prize.

“What?” I whispered.

“I want it back.”

I couldn’t believe my ears right now. “Do you want a refund of every kiss we exchanged at the back of the bleachers too?”

He glared so hard a vein popped on his temple. “Don’t start that dumb s**t with me, Kendra. Where is it? Do you have it on you?”

He lifted his hand.

I stepped back, exploding with fury. “Don’t touch me!”

“Is everything alright over there?” A man holding takeout bags called from the other side.

I breathed out. Simon held my scowl.

“Tell him we’re cool.”

I didn't say anything, but gave a thumbs-up. The stranger gave Simon one last look before continuing on his way.

“You told me you loved me that night.” I remembered, dreading the way I blushed like an i***t. “I guess it was really worth all the diamonds in the world.”

Simon gritted his teeth. “Just stop with the childish romance talk. It's over.”

“It was literally two years ago, dipshit.” I said. “Has hanging out with Noah O’Shea twisted your nineteen-year-old brain?”

Upon the mention of Noah’s name, the white around Simon's green pupils grew red. His jaw clenched hard like he was standing near the gates of hell.

Score one for me.

A satisfying spark ignited in my chest as the air between us turned into a storm. Just how petty would it be to admit the truth. That I had Noah's hot lips ravishing mine the other night.

It would kill Simon.

And I wouldn’t care.

A second later, Simon recovered, baring a grin. “Actually, we’re pretty tight. I'm meeting his Dad soon. But you wouldn’t understand the importance of close connections with people of higher standards.”

My eyes did a slow dramatic roll.

“Anyway I want that damn pendant,” he added.

I shrugged, touching my bare neck. “I don’t have it on me.”

“Well then bring it to my dorm tomorrow, Kendra!”

“And if I don’t?”

My ex-boyfriend leaned down to my height, facing me squarely. That same ugly look from the locker room manifested. “Then I’ll charge you for theft.”