We stop next to my car, and Tucker smiles. “Thanks for tonight.”
I laugh. “You’re the one who helped me. Why are you thanking me?”
“Because for the first time in a long time, I had fun working out.” He hesitates, then opens my car door. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
As I drive away, I shake my head in confusion. Just when I think I’ve figured Tucker out, he shows me another side, confusing me even more.
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Chapter Thirteen
Daniel is waiting for me after set and logic on Monday, and I suppress a cringe. What am I going to do about this situation?
“I don’t have time to have coffee with you,” he says, his eyes apologetic. “I’ve got to meet my advisor, but I didn’t want to make you think I’d stood you up.”
I smile. He really is a nice guy. He deserves better than me stringing him along.
“I realized I didn’t have your number to text you.”
“Oh.” I pull out my phone and he takes it from my hand to enter his number.
“If you want to get ahold of me”—he looks up and grins—“for any reason, feel free to call or text.”
“Thanks,” I say, looking at my phone in his hand.
He hands it back. “I’ll see you Wednesday, unless you decide you want to see me sooner.” His meaning is clear.
“Thanks.” I still can’t make myself look at him.
“You look like you’re feeling better.”
“Yeah,” I shrug and finally look up. “I’m much better. Thanks.”
He walks backward down the hall. “I’ll talk to you later.”
“Bye.”
I didn’t have my morning coffee at home in anticipation of meeting Daniel so I head to the coffee shop without him and wait in the line to place my order.
“I heard he’s actually seeing someone.” A girl in front of me says to her friend. “He was supposed to go to Scott’s party on Saturday night, and he never showed.”
The second girl lowers her chin and lifts her eyebrows. “Tucker Price skipped a party? What? Was he in jail?”
My ears perk up at the mention of Tucker’s name, but I try not to look too interested.
“No, he stayed home. Jason said he was doing homework. On a Saturday night. How insane is that?”
“Was he with someone?”
“He stayed home. You know he never takes girls to his place. And Jason said he was at his place. All weekend.”
Tucker’s alleged activity this weekend goes against everything Caroline is always telling me as well. And who’s Jason? I know he’s the dark-headed guy who talked to Tucker at the gym, but is he Tucker’s roommate?
I spend the rest of my time before Arabic trying to study, but I spend more time thinking about Tucker, and the gossip I overheard. What does it mean? Why should it matter to me? But Tucker and I are friends. He even admitted it. Doesn’t that give me the right to care?
The rest of the afternoon flies by in math lab, and I’m exhausted when I leave ten minutes late. Tucker’s standing in the shadows in the hall. He grins when he sees me.
“Tucker, what are you doing here?”
“We did it, Scarlett. We got a B-plus.”
I stop in front of him, my heart bursting with pride. “No, you did it, Tucker. You got a B-plus.”
He turns serious. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Shaking my head, I smile. “You could have easily had another tutor help you. This was all you. You just needed to have the steps explained slower.”
“Well, thanks.” He hands me a brown gift bag he had hidden behind him. His shoulders hunch as though he’s worried I’ll refuse.
My heart flutters, and I feel lightheaded. But not in the way I usually feel when I’m anxious. This is pleasant. “What’s this?”
“A thank-you for helping me.”
I look up at him and smile. Other than Caroline and Tina, I can’t think of the last time someone has given me a gift. The bag is heavier than I expected. “What is it?”
“Open and see.”
Gifts make me awkward. People watch while I open them, and although I’m used to Tucker staring at me, he’s waiting for my reaction. That makes me more anxious than usual. I pull out the white tissue paper and start to transfer it to my other hand, but Tucker takes it from me, his mouth pressed into a tight line.
He’s nervous. Confident Tucker is nervous. Why?
Tilting the bag, I look inside and pull out a rounded object. It’s an alarm clock, but the face of the clock has equations in place of the numbers.
“I saw it and thought about you. It’s kind of stupid…”
I glance up at him, smiling. “I love it.”
“Really?”
“Really.” I can’t believe how happy I feel right now. It’s such an unfamiliar emotion that I barely recognize it. “You didn’t have to do this, Tucker. The university is paying me to tutor you. Besides, we’re friends. ”
“I know. But I wanted you to know how much I appreciate you.”
I’m nearly speechless. “Thank you.” I finally get out.
“You’re welcome.”
We stare at each other for a couple of seconds. I have no idea what he’s thinking, but I’m amazed this thoughtful guy is the same person who fuels the university’s gossip. I’m so grateful he’s part of my life.