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She sucked in a breath, backing away from me and relaxed back into the passenger seat.
Fuck
Did I really just screw this up? Did I just come out and show my hand? And her response was to back away?
Stupid move.
Why on earth did I insist on believing that she felt what I did between us?
Tucking her hair behind her ear, she focused on her hands again, completely ignoring my desperate attempt at making her feel better.
“Thank you for coming with me tonight, Tanner. I appreciate it.”
“No problem. There’s no one I’d rather stand in the corner of a bar with than you.” I tried to crack a joke, but there was a little more power behind it than there should have been. I was a little salty. I could admit that, but I really thought we were going somewhere after she told me about her mom. “I hope it helps you get into the sorority, if that’s what you really want.”
She chuckled. “Yeah. I think even if I kissed Rachel’s heels, I wouldn’t get in.”
“Fuck ‘em. Who needs them anyway?”
“I do. What if my mom refuses to attend the operation until I join?” Her lips quirked into a smile.
“Then we’ll just have to make sure you get in.”
“We?”
“Yeah. It’s you and me now, whether you like to admit it or not.”
She rolled her head, so she looked out into the darkness. “I better go.” It was reluctant. “I need some sleep. I’ve got this tutoring client that’s relentless. He wants my attention all the time.” Rolling her head back in my direction, she looked up at me through her lashes. “I found out he’s got my phone number today, so I’m never going to get rid of him.”
Her face was as emotionless as her voice. I thought she was joking, but I couldn’t be too sure with her.
“What do you expect? Those skirts are killer.”
Aster patted my thigh. “You should rest up, too. I’ve got something different planned for you this week.”
I raised a brow. “Care to elaborate, or are you going to leave me hanging?”
“I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.” With one hand holding the flowers I got her and her other hand on the handle, she opened the door. “I’ll text you the location to meet me tomorrow. Goodnight, Tanner.”
“Goodnight, Teach.”
Chapter 11
“You can’t be serious?” Tanner let out a small laugh, and when I looked over my shoulder, all I saw was confusion marring his perfectly angled face.
“Come on.” I tipped my chin, not responding to his question. I just kept walking on the grass. Tanner followed behind me, carrying the net full of footballs I asked him to bring, and cursed under his breath.
He was laughing though, and I couldn’t believe how much our relationship had changed over the last month of working together. Tanner was just so different than I’d ever expected. When he insulted me that first day, I assumed he was just like Connor, but he was the exact opposite. Tanner knew he wasn’t perfect and worked on making himself better. He was dedicated, eager to please and I could only admire someone who could face their faults with such conviction and work on themselves the way he did.
To say I was impressed by his ambition would be an understatement. Every suggestion I gave, he took willingly. Every piece of work I asked him to do, he did. No questions asked. He didn’t moan or complain about anything. Even now, as I was dragging him outside for an outdoor experiment, he was just happy to follow behind me like a loyal Labrador.
“Out of all the places, why’d you bring me here?” I could hear the confusion in his voice, but I didn’t turn to look. It was the first time I was on a field like this, and I wasn’t sure if there were any secret divots on the field like in golf. At least, I thought that was what happened in golf. I couldn’t be too sure. Either way, I was unwilling to trip in front of Tanner with my blue and yellow plaid skirt while holding a textbook in one hand, and my bag over my shoulder in the other.
My new sneakers rubbed against my heel and I could feel the dew from the damp grass sprinkle across my ankles as we walked on the field. Hearing him mumble another curse word, I laughed.
“Yeah, I did.”
The bright lights beat down on us, and I was surprised at how hot they were making me even though they were so far away. I was nearly blinded when I turned my head just an inch to the side. How Tanner managed to play under these conditions with a sold-out crowd on a weekly basis was beyond me. To have the confidence to put yourself out there in front of millions of people was something I was happy that I’d never have to experience.
