Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 138775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 694(@200wpm)___ 555(@250wpm)___ 463(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 694(@200wpm)___ 555(@250wpm)___ 463(@300wpm)
“But I thought freshmen couldn’t live in frat houses?”
“He’s Kyle. The rules don’t apply to him. They never have.”
I had endless examples of that, but I had already talked more than I should have. It felt disloyal to Lucas to be talking about this stuff, but god knew Tori didn’t need more roommate drama. She’d already been through a lot.
“I don’t know Kyle very well, but I’m still kind of surprised that he’d do something like that.”
The fact that Tori was surprised proved she didn’t know him well. Still, I hoped I hadn’t completely prejudiced her against Kyle—not that he didn’t deserve it, but they still needed to work together.
After a few minutes, Tori spoke again. Between the rustle of the leaves and the warm body nestled against me, I’d almost drifted off. “Thank you for telling me.” Her fingers brushed over my chest. “We probably should get back in there, right?”
“Probably.” My thumb stroked down her arm. “I don’t suppose you know how we can get off this thing without falling on our asses?”
“I was hoping you knew.” She gave a small smile. “So maybe we should stay here longer. It’s nice out here.”
It was pleasant out here—but the reason I was enjoying it so much had less to do with the nice weather and the fresh air, and more to do with her.
“Five more minutes?” I suggested
“Sounds like a plan.”
15
TORI
“Okay, so which one of these articles do you think would provide the best support for your position?” Kyle and I were shoulder to shoulder at a study carrel on the fourth floor of the library.
“Position?” He stared sullenly at the screen in front of us.
“Your thesis. Basically what you’re trying to say in this paper.”
“I’m not trying to say anything. I just need to pass this goddamn class.”
He was getting frustrated, and I didn’t blame him. Though I wished he’d try a little harder, it was clear that writing wasn’t his strong suit. Which I understood. I sure couldn’t hit a ball like he could.
So I took a deep breath and tried again. “I’m trying to help you do that. Please stop scowling at your laptop like you want to throw it out the window and take a breath. You can do this. You’re an opinionated guy. I’ve seen that, and if it comes through when you speak, it can come through when you write.”
“I write like a fourth grader.”
“If it’s any consolation, you don’t look like a fourth grader.” Automatically my gaze went to his broad shoulders and sculpted chest, which, unfortunately, was covered by an olive-green Henley shirt today. Then again, we were in a library, and there was probably a dress code.
My words and my gaze made Kyle smirk. Perhaps that was the secret. To flatter him a bit. He was clearly down on himself when it came to his academic performance, so it wouldn’t hurt to remind him of the things he was proud of. After all, this was the man who’d only agreed to come to our study group if I’d go on a date with him.
I frowned for a moment, catching my tongue between my teeth. He hadn’t mentioned anything else about a date since last week. Maybe he’d forgotten? Or more likely, he considered our deal null and void given how bad things had gone that night I brought him. I doubted I’d ever see him there again, and I was pretty sure that would work out for the best for both Kyle and Lucas. Maybe Jayden too, since we kept getting caught in the middle.
“This one.” Kyle’s voice interrupted my thoughts.
“What one?”
“The one by the University of Washington professor. It backs up my paper the most.”
And just like that, we were back on track. “Good call. Now let’s figure out what passages we want to quote.”
“You’re going to make me do citations, right?”
“Yes, sorry.”
He let out a long-suffering sigh. “Knew it.”
We worked for another hour, and then Kyle fidgeted as I scheduled our tutoring sessions for the rest of the week. “Remember, this is due on Friday.”
He gave me a rueful smile. “You mention it eight times a day, so trust me, I won’t forget.” He stood up. “Come on, I’ll give you a ride home.”
“What?”
“I’ll drive you back.” As I stared up at him, he frowned. “It’s the same truck you rode in this morning. It’s not that complicated—aren’t you supposed to be the smart one?”
“Jayden said he could drive me back in about an hour.”
“And I’m heading out now. Same location, same road. My truck’s twice the size of Jay’s hatchback, so it’s safer.”
“I don’t mind waiting.“ I wasn’t entirely sure why I was balking. I’d ridden in with Kyle this morning and we’d just spent a couple of hours working together. When I was around him, I could never quite relax the way I could with Lucas and Jayden. Maybe it was because I’d known them for longer. Or maybe just that Kyle was unpredictable. Whatever it was, every time I was near him, my pulse sped up.