AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I don’tneedyou. I’m sure I can find someone else to take me.” Hell, Ralph would be my date if it came down to it because he still owed me one.
“Yeah, but taking anyone else beside me wouldn’t be as much as a ‘Fuck You,’ to Rachel.”
“Why would talking to you annoy her?”
“Because I rejected her a week ago, and I don’t know about you, but I think it’s about time that girl ate some humble pie. She really thinks she’s the shit, doesn’t she?”
It was taking longer to process his words than normal, and I based in on the fact that my brain had been a little fried from all the vacuous conversations today, but when I finally processed it, I looked at him with furrowed brows. “Wait, what? She asked you out. When?”
He gave me a lopsided smile that looked almost bashful. “Not in so many words, but that was her intention. Before I insulted you as my tutor, she may have tried to tutor me. Told me she could teach me a thing or two.”
I closed my eyes, cringing because if it wasn’t enough that I’d already seen her making out with Connor, I was now imagining what she’d look like making out with Tanner, and it made me want to vomit. “Too. Much. Info.” I raise my hand, willing my brain to stop the images with no luck, of course.
If she was dating Connor, then why was she trying to get Tanner? Why did I care? I didn’t. She could do whatever the hell she wanted, just as long as it didn’t involve me.
“Don’t worry. I didn’t let her touch me. Even if I could tell she was undressing me with her eyes.”
Sneering, I said, “Do you know when to be quiet?”
He shrugged. “Clearly not. That’s why I need a tutor. Teach me, and I’ll help you. What do you say?” He held his hand out and as I inspected it closely. It was more of a paw than a hand with cuts and small bandages wrapped around two fingers. They looked like hard working, solid hands that could easily cover my full face and smother me if they wanted.
“I hate deals.” It wasn’t a no, but it was close enough. As tempting as it sounded to take Tanner to the ball and kill two birds with one stone – Annoy Rachel and please my mother – I didn’t want to help Tanner, out of principle at this point.
He barked out a laugh, throwing his head back as if I had just told the funniest joke on the planet. It seemed even when he was down on his luck, the guy still exuded positivity. “And I hate failing, so we have something in common.”
“No. we don’t.” His persistence was admirable, and to be frank, I wasn’t certain why I stayed talking to him, but I did.
“Look. We need each other. Let me help you and you can help me.” I was silent, but still standing next to him. “Come on, do you really want to go to that ball with anyonebutme? I’ll let you choose my tux. I’ll even buy you a new dress.”
With hooded eyes, I glared at him. “I don’t care about those things.”
“No? But you seem to care about this sorority.”
My mom’s over-eager smile came to mind because he was right. I did care, but only because I was being guilted into it.
“I don’t know.” I pushed my lips from side to side, annoyed that I was almost readily admitting that I was softening.
He opened his hands out and tipped his chin to the sky. “All I’m asking is that you use me, Aster. Please. Let me take you to that ball and tick off everyone there.”
Everyone there? That was when it hit me. Connor would be there, too. Oh, how delicious it would be to see his face if he saw me with Tanner. I know for a fact he tried to get onto the football team but didn’t have a family member to help him out, so he had to settle for the hockey bench. Showing up with the star quarterback would be the kick in the teeth I was waiting for.
Tanner’s fingers were dancing in front of me, and the longer I looked, the faster he moved them. He was teasing them in front of me, goading me to accept.
“Fine.” As I reached for his hand, his face split into an obnoxiously gorgeous grin. My hand slipped into his with ease, and when he wrapped his fingers around my palm, it felt like he would never let go.
Rough callouses scratched across my hand as we shook, and it felt like I was making a deal with the devil. Only he was too sweet to be evil. So that left me with one conclusion.Imust have been the devil in this story.
“Seriously?” He huffed out in disbelief. “You’re seriously going to help me?”
“I’m shaking your hand, aren’t I?” And that shake was still going. I was certainly right about him holding on for dear life.
“Okay, so just so we’re both clear. You’ll tutor me if I take you to the ball?”
“Don’t make me think about it too much. I might change my mind.”
Snatching his hand away, he gave me a salute. “Sorry, Boss.”
I pointed my sharp finger at him, and he went cross-eyed looking. “Don’t call me Boss. Tutoring is on my terms. Be free Friday at 7pm.”
