Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 140184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 701(@200wpm)___ 561(@250wpm)___ 467(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 140184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 701(@200wpm)___ 561(@250wpm)___ 467(@300wpm)
And he is.
Chapter two
Kennedy
It’s late by the time I’m leaving the Granville house.
Chemistry tutoring took longer than expected. I felt dumber than I wanted to, but Jet has such an effortless way of understanding all this stuff, I think it might be impossible not to feel dumb when you’re doing schoolwork with him.
Jet and I never talked much in school, but tonight we got to know each other a little better. He slipped up and told me about his crush on Brylee White—an impossible conquest because everyone knows Brylee only goes for guys who are already taken.
It’s a shame because the way he talks about her, I can tell he really, truly likes her. He notices things about her, little things that someone who wasn’t infatuated would look right past.
As I’m gathering up my books, I say with a little smile on my face, “Hey, maybe you’ll luck out and it’ll get back to her that I was over at your house tonight. If she thinks I’m into you, you might actually have a chance.”
I’m only joking, but his eyes widen and from the look on his face, you’d expect a glowing light bulb to flash over his head. “That’s kind of brilliant, actually.”
I glance back at him uncertainly as I swing my bag over my shoulder. “It is?”
He nods eagerly, already a step or two ahead as he stands and walks over to me. “You’re not seeing anyone, are you?”
“Well, no…”
He grabs my forearm excitedly. “Would you tell people at school tomorrow that we hung out tonight? Don’t tell them I was tutoring you, just pretend we’re hanging out because maybe you like me or something.”
“Whoa, hold on…” I shake my head, not totally comfortable with the deception.
“I mean, most tutors would charge you for their time,” he adds, apparently noticing my reluctance.
I stiffen, but he’s not wrong, and I can’t pay him—not with dollars, anyway.
It’s a rude thing to say, so I frown at him in disapproval. He scratches the back of his neck, looking a bit sheepish about the light blackmail he just attempted.
But he’s not wrong, and that’s what I’m coming back to.
I may not always make the right choices in life, but I do try my best. I suppose if he’s going to tutor me and help me out, it wouldn’t kill me to return the favor.
“Are you sure about this?” I ask him. “Do you really want a girl who’s only interested in you if you’re unavailable?”
“It’s not her fault,” he says, causing my eyes to widen. He then proceeds to launch into a psychological evaluation of her behavior and the likely causes. I’m sure it’s interesting to a certain kind of person, but by the time he’s finished, my eyes are glazing over and I just want to go home.
“Fine.”
“Really?” he asks like a kid on Christmas.
I shrug. “I guess. If you want me to pretend date you so some skanky girl—”
“Hey.”
The way he scowls at me, I can see she’s already the mother of his children in his vision of the future, so I don’t bother reasoning with him.
I shrug again. “Yeah. Whatever. I’ll do it.”
His guard drops, and he grins at me. “Thanks, Kennedy. You’re the best.”
I head for his bedroom door. It’s open now. It was shut when we first came in, but Milo popped in to ask Jet something while we were studying. His gaze drifted to me, and, with it, a tsunami of warmth I felt clear down to my toes. Then he left, taking the warmth with him and leaving the bedroom door wide open.
I wonder if he really wanted to talk to Jet or he just wanted to check in on us.
As I make my way out into the hall, I find myself watching for him, expecting him to come into view. I don’t realize until I get to the front door without seeing him, I was kind of… hoping to.
Since I have no reason to stay, I hoist my drooping backpack and walk through the door out into the chilly late October evening. It’s a bit windy. The leaves crunch beneath my shoes as I make my way to the car.
“Hey, Kennedy.”
At the sound of Jet’s voice, I turn and look back at him.
He’s holding his phone up in front of him. He snaps a picture of me.
“Proof,” he explains when I shoot him a funny look.
I roll my eyes, but good-naturedly. He’s such a nerd. “Goodnight, Jet.”
“Goodnight, Kennedy. I’ll see you tomorrow at school.”
___
I’m in my bedroom vibing to some music while I study when all of a sudden the headphones are ripped right off my head.
My heart rate kicks up and I instinctively lean away from the danger, but when I turn around, I see it’s only my mother. “What the hell?” I demand.