I laugh, shaking my head, my ponytail brushing my back. “You’re incorrigible.”
“And that’s why you love me.”
I laugh again and see Tucker at a table twenty feet away. He’s sitting with several soccer players and their groupies. Two of the girls openly flirt and Tucker flashes them his cocky grin.
I’ve paid little attention to him before, other than casually observing his self-destructive behavior. Rumor has it he’s on academic, as well as behavioral, probation. Tucker might be Southern University’s soccer superstar, but he’s close to burning out at the pace he’s keeping. Watching him now, I know that people like him bring this upon themselves. Tucker Price has been given a gift I’d kill for—a full-ride scholarship—but he chooses to throw it away so he can party and screw.
He catches me watching him, and I freeze, waiting for the look of derision that’s sure to come. I know that my own look of disgust isn’t what he’s used to seeing. Instead, his face loses all expression before his arrogant grin is plastered back on his face, like he’s just taken a stage break and he’s jumping back into a performance.
Tina stands to leave, noticing that something has caught my attention. She grins when she sees who it is. “There may be hope for you yet.”
“What? No. Way.”
“I heard he almost got arrested last weekend for disturbing the peace, but the policeman turned out to be a huge soccer fan and let him off with a warning.”
I throw my trash away, but Tucker’s face haunts me while I head to the math lab for our afternoon shift, dodging the raindrops that fall as I walk across campus.
As I take my regular seat, the rain continues, heavy drops pounding the window next to me. The January afternoon perfectly reflects my mood when a few hours later, Tucker stands in the doorway of the lab, looking around. His gaze stops, and he moves toward me.
What is Tucker Price doing here?
The room isn’t that large, enough room for four tables where tutors can work with a student. Old office chairs, the fabric on the seats torn and faded, line the walls. There’s no one waiting so Tucker slides into the chair on the opposite side of my table, and lifts an eyebrow with an amused grin. “You’re in my Western civ class.”
My face burns at the reminder, and I wait for him to call me out for staring at him at lunch. Although why he’d care what I think is beyond me.
He watches me in confusion. “So you teach math?”
“Tutor.” The word catches in my throat. “I tutor in math.”
I want to scream. I want to hide in a corner. Working in the math lab is perfect for my social anxiety. While my reaction to awkward social situations has eased quite a bit since I’ve moved away from my dysfunctional family, it’s still present, even in its milder form. The math lab is one-on-one and a more controlled situation, but my run-in—literally—with Tucker earlier is pushing all my trigger buttons.
He leans forward, resting his hand on the table, and looking around before his eyes land on mine. “I need help with algebra.”
“Then you’ve come to the right place.” I search the room to see who’s available. Mark is with a pretty freshman and from the way he’s attempting to flirt, I can see they will be a while. But Tina is not only free but practically salivating at the sight of Tucker. I point toward her. “Tina will help you. Right over there.”
His forehead wrinkles. “Why can’t you do it?”
My mouth parts and a whoosh of air escapes. “I usually work with students in more advanced courses,” I say, flustered. Why would he care if I tutored him or not?
All expression leaves his face. “Are you calling me stupid, Scarlett?”
“I…no…that’s not…” How does he know my name?
A slow smile lifts his mouth. “I was teasing, but seriously.” He leans even closer. “If you teach advanced math, I’d rather have you. I’m in serious trouble if I don’t pass this class. I’m going to lose my scholarship.”
I want to tell him that’s not the only thing putting his scholarship at risk, but I figure he’s already well aware of that fact, despite the continuation of his behavior.
He continues to watch me, waiting for my answer.
I’ve never been this close to him before, and I can’t help studying him. I can see why girls fall at his feet. He’s gorgeous. Light hair with lots of natural streaks of blond from all that time in the sun. Tanned skin, with a hint of stubble, like he’d forgotten to shave this morning. But those eyes, a pale blue with just a touch of gray. I’m sure they are what seal the deal for him with the women he collects.
Only there’s no smile in his eyes. Only sadness and fear.
I should say no. I’m out of my element around him, and it will affect my ability to tutor him, but something in those eyes touches a place deep in my heart that I keep hidden from everyone. I can’t help but wonder if there’s more to Tucker Price than he shows the world.
I nod. “Okay.”
His eyes close, and his body slumps with relief. After a moment, his eyes open, and he’s the cocky guy that bumped into me hours earlier. “So let’s set up a time.”
“It doesn’t work that way. The math lab is drop-in. You work with who’s available when you come in. We can get started now.”
He frowns and his top teeth bite his lower lip.
“Why don’t you get out your problems and show me what you need help with?”