Page 66 of Ruled Out

He steps inside and takes a look around.

When I moved here, he arranged a moving van, but never came with me. I know it hurt him for me to walk away from a career he’d envisioned me to take on. Mom had had me when they were both twenty-five, and now that he’s forty-seven, Iknow he has one eye on passing the Destroyers over so he can concentrate fully on the academy.

The academy that funded Jessie’s career and college tuition.

My cheeks flush as the lie tumbles from my mouth. “Yes, I have multiple assignments due. Early mornings are the quietest in the library.”

Dad nods, and his eyes flick to my sweater, which is peeking out from underneath my unzipped coat. “Strange top to study in.” He points to the white logo of the florist I work at, which stands out against the black material.

Shit.

“Only thing I had clean,” I counter.

I begin taking the stairs, hoping he will follow and drop his inquisition.

“Thought I’d travel to see you; the team has their bye week.”

Sliding the key into my lock, I pray Tara isn’t on the other side of the door, ready to blow my cover. “How long are you here for?”

“Until tomorrow morning. I’m here to see you first, obviously, but I’m also here to watch an NCAA game. One of the guys I’m putting through college is playing, and I want to check on his progress.”

“I see.”

As soon as I push through the door, my stomach flips as I set eyes on Tara sitting at the breakfast bar. Other than Leo and Hugh, she’s the only person I’ve told who my dad is. It’s not exactly a secret, but it’s also not something I choose to advertise around campus.

At the sight of us, she drops her half-eaten bagel onto her plate. “Hey.”

“You must be Tara.” My dad strides across the room, his hand outstretched for her to take.

With his back to me, she shakes my dad’s hand and then flicks her eyes to mine, surprise written across her face.

I shake my head slowly, a desperate attempt for her to read between the lines and play along with my story.

“You’re the same major as Mia, right?”

Picking up her bagel, Tara takes a bite and focuses her attention back on Dad. “Yep,” she says around a mouthful.

He thumbs over his shoulder to where I’m standing behind him, and I close my eyes, saying a silent prayer. I know exactly where he’s going with this. If Tara blows my cover, he’ll know I wasn’t at the library. And knowing my dad, there’s only one conclusion he’d draw as to why I was trying to hide my whereabouts.

“Didn’t want to join Mia for an early morning study session?”

Tara swallows her mouthful and then rubs her hands together. Confidently, she slides off the stool and carries her empty plate across to the sink. Turning back around, she faces my dad. “Nah. I worked a late shift last night and don’t have the same commitment as Mia.”

Every knot in my stomach unravels as I blow out a silent, relieved breath.

Propping his hands on his hips, he swivels back around to me. My dad is very rarely surprised or wrong, and I can tell by the look on his face that he’s both things right now. “Can I use your bathroom?”

Thankful I cleaned it before my shift yesterday, I point to a closed door. “Go ahead.”

As soon as he disappears inside and we hear the lock turn, a cheeky smile spreads across my roommate’s face.

Thank you, I mouth.

She picks up her phone from the counter and walks over to me. “Welcome. I’ve hidden enough from my parents to know agirl in need of an alibi. I guess Pancake Boy wasn’t a one-and-done arrangement after all.”

The temptation to spew more lies and deny that I was with anyone last night fights to be the next statement out of my mouth. But Tara just surprised me and did me a solid in the process.

I pin my bottom lip between my teeth, remembering the way Jessie’s tongue slid against me, desperate to feel it again tonight. “I guess not.”