All the Sauce (IceCats 4)

“Really good. I got a B on a test last week, but I was able to turn in some extra credit to bring it up to A.”

“Smart girls are hot,” he says, waggling his brows at me. “Especially you in your sexy glasses—wait, are you in the jungle?”

I laugh out loud, shaking my head. “No. These are my plants!”

His eyes widen. “I thought you said you had a few.”

I wave him off. “Oh, I lied so I didn’t sound like a crazy plant lady. But since I cried on you, I figured it’s time to come clean. I love plants.”

“I see that. Wow. That’s a lot.”

“Wanna run?” I tease, and he laughs.

“To you, yes. I miss your face.”

I grin. “Just my face?”

“And your ass.”

I snort at that, shaking my head. “You’re a mess. When do you get in?”

“Tomorrow morning. I’ve got some stuff to do, and then if you have time, can I steal you away?”

“Steal me away where?”

“I don’t know. Anywhere. As long as we’re together.”

Oh, heart. I smile, nodding. “I would love that.”

“Groovy. How’s it with the roommate?”

“Ugh, so bad,” I say on a long sigh. “She hasn’t really been speaking to me.”

“She’s a bitch.”

“Jesus, you don’t even know her.”

“And I don’t like her.”

I laugh. “You’re so aggressive.”

“Aggressive? No, I’m passionate. If I care about someone, don’t mess with them.”

We share a small smile, and I can’t wait to see him tomorrow. “You sound like my uncle Jude.”

This awestruck look comes over his face. “You mean Uncle Legend Number One? Dude is so awesome.”

“Okay, calm your tits.”

His laughter makes my stomach tickle. He lowers the phone so I can see his nipples as he rubs them. “But they’re my party tits.” I fall back on my bed, laughing as he watches me, smiling from ear to ear. “Your uncle is one badass dude.”

“Yes, he is,” I agree, moving my fingers through my hair. “They want to see me this summer for a family thingy. My dad actually called to try to convince me to walk at graduation.”

As soon as the words leave my lips, I instantly regret them.

“Why does he have to convince you?” he asks, as I knew he would.

I clear my throat, and I decide there is no point in lying. “I don’t want to.”

“Why?” he asks, staring into my eyes.

I bite my lip, holding his gaze. “You know why.”

He makes a face. “Come on, Paxy. Really?”

I shrug. “I know if I walk, my family will come, and everyone in my school will see how big I am now.”

He holds up a finger. “For one, you aren’t big. For two, don’t make me fight your brain. I’ll do it. It keeps being mean to my beautiful, gorgeous, perfectly shaped Angela Paxton.”

“Yours? Wow, that’s a bold claim.”

“I am a bold man, Angela. Get used to it, and believe me. We will all be so proud of you. No one is going to be like, ‘Oh no, she’s gained some weight. Don’t give her a diploma!’”

I scoff. “You don’t know that.”

“I do, and I will physically fight them if they do.”

I chuckle. “You’re crazy.”

“About you, I know,” he says with a wink, and I can’t stop myself from grinning.

When he yawns, I say, “You need to go to bed.”

“I do, but I want to talk to you.”

“I’m going to bed. I’m done watering and cleaning my plants, so I can go to bed now.”

“You clean them?”

“Yes. I don’t like dust on them.”

“Huh,” he says, but I don’t think he is really listening. Instead, he asks, “So, where are we on the walking for graduation?”

I bring my brows together. “Solid I don’t think so.”

“That’ll change,” he says confidently. “And going home to see your family?”

I make a face. “Solid maybe.”

“That’ll change too,” he announces with so much confidence, I’m jealous. “I’ll be at graduation, and I’ll go home with you.”

“Man, super bold.”

“It’s true,” he says with a wink. “Don’t fight it.” When I laugh, he smiles. “Okay, last question.”

“Okay?” I say with a sigh since it really doesn’t matter what my answers are. He’s dead set on changing my mind on everything.

“Do you miss me?”

“It’s been a week, and I just saw you Monday,” I jeer.

“And? I told you I miss you.”

“You did not! You said you missed my face! Oh, and ass.”

“Which is attached to you. So, in theory, I miss you.”

I beam at his silliness. “This theory has holes.”

“I disagree wholly, but I do miss you.”

“Yes, I miss you.”

When he winks, my heart flutters. “A week, Owen. One week.”

“Hey, all I needed was an hour and I knew I’d miss you.”

My lips curve even more. “Goodnight, Owen.”

“Goodnight, Angie.”

We wave at each other like dorks and then hang up. I lay the phone on my chest and exhale loudly.

A week. It’s been a fucking week.

Though, he’s right. I missed him the second I left him.