He pulls his textbook and a notebook out of his backpack. “You should know right off that math isn’t my thing.”
I can’t help but smile, in spite of my nervousness around him. “I suspect it’s more your thing than you give yourself credit. It’s simply a matter of understanding the rules.”
His cocky grin is back. “I’m not a fan of rules.”
“And look where that’s gotten you.” The words are out of my mouth before I realize I’m saying them. My eyes widen in horror. “I’m sorry. That was uncalled for.”
He shakes his head, his expression changing again. Tucker’s face is a chameleon of emotions. “No.” His gaze narrows. “I need that.”
“What? Snarky remarks?”
“No. The truth.”
I wait for a sarcastic comment to follow but none it doesn’t come.
We spend the next half an hour starting with the basics of mathematic operations. He’s focusing on what I’m telling him, but the concepts are slow to sink in, and he’s frustrated.
“Don’t worry. You’ll get it. The problem is that everyone’s brain is wired differently. Some gravitate to words and concepts. Others are hardwired for facts and logical order. The human brain is capable of both. We just need to figure out how to activate your brain.”
“So I’m a cyborg?” he teases, but it’s not cocky or arrogant. He’s sweet. And so unlike his public persona.
“If you were, you wouldn’t need me.” I grin. “We’re the ones who tell our brains we are incapable. Maybe you need to tell yourself that you are capable.”
He watches me for a moment, his palm resting on his closed book. “When are you in here again?”
“Why?”
“I want you to tutor me. No one’s taken the time to work with me the way you have.” I wonder if he’s flirting, but he seems serious.
“Uh…I work tomorrow from three to six.”
He scowls. “Do you do private lessons?”
I shake my head, now worried where this is going. I thought this Tucker, the one I’ve spent the last half hour with, was too good to be true. “No. I only work here in the lab.” I force a smile. “But there’s always someone here who is more than capable of helping you.”
“You like that word. Capable. You’ve said it multiple times.”
I’m caught off guard and a blush rises to my cheeks. My gaze falls to my folded hands on the table. “Maybe it’s because I think we tell ourselves that we can’t when we should be telling ourselves that we can.”
I refuse to face him, instead pretending that my hangnail is fascinating. Several seconds pass before I make myself look up.
Tucker’s blue eyes flicker with confusion and surprise. He gives me a soft smile before he scoops up his books, grabs his backpack, and walks out of the lab.
He must think I’m weird, the brainy math geek, and part of me is glad. I’ve always steered clear of guys like him, and I have no intention of changing. Guys like him were who Momma and my sister ended up with. Smooth talkers who took your money, screwed you until the next piece of ass came along, and then left you pregnant and living in a trailer park for the rest of your life. I’m running away from my past, creating my own future. There is no room for men like him, or for self-destructive relationships. With my schedule and drive to succeed, I don’t really consider dating much at all, not that I have men begging me to go out. The male math majors have either tried or considered me untouchable. They leave me alone, and I like it that way. Only classes, work and mathematics. The logic of math will never let me down.
I stay several more hours, helping other students before my shift ends. I pack up my stuff and head for the exit. “See you tomorrow.”
“Scarlett, wait.” Dr. Carlisle calls out of his office. He gets out of his chair and stands in the doorway. “I saw you helping Tucker Price earlier. How did it go?”
I shrug. “He doesn’t understand some of the basic rules. But despite the impression he likes to give, he’s capable of learning the material. I think he just needs repetition.”
“And how comfortable were you with him?”
I know what he’s asking. Dr. Carlisle is well aware of my anxiety disorder. Although we don’t discuss personal relationships, my preference for not dating is well known in the math department. And the entire school knows Tucker’s penchant for trying to get every girl in school out of their panties.
“It actually went really well. He surprised me.”
He smiles and leans against the doorframe, looking relieved. “Good to know, because I received a phone call from the chancellor. He wants you to personally tutor Tucker Price. Outside the math lab.”
My mouth drops. “What?”
“The chancellor himself called, Scarlett. You know the department is up for funding for the new computer program. This could…”
Bile burns my throat. The university needs Tucker to keep his eligibility. The math department needs funding. If I can help the university with the former, they’ll help with the latter.
Damn it.
I nod with a jerk. “Okay.”
“You can tutor him during your scheduled lab hours if you like.” He sighs and his brow wrinkles with worry. “Scarlett, if you don’t feel comfortable—”
“No, I’m fine. It will be fine. I can do it.” But it won’t be fine. And I’m sure I can help him as long as I’m dealing with the Tucker from this afternoon. But if I’m dealing with the Tucker I saw in the lunch room, then I’m screwed.