Page 70 of Brutal Little Secrets

Mom stands and runs her hand over her slacks. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, EvanAnn. Cam says you’re super busy, so we’re glad you can find time to help out Cam with his classes.”

She holds her hand out to Evan, and Evan shakes it. “It’s a pleasure, Mrs. Warwick.”

“Lisa, please, dear.” Mom glances at Dad as he stands behind her. “You can call him Alex.”

Evan holds her hand out and he shakes it. “It’s a pleasure, sir.”

Dad looks her over until Mom elbows him with an overbright smile.

“It’s good to meet you.” Dad puts his hands on Mom’s shoulders. “I hope you can do something to make sure he gets the grades he needs to get into Yale.”

“I’ll do my best to help him get his grades up.” She glances back at me.

Yeah, that’s enough of that. “Okay, we’ll be in the family room.”

“If you need any snacks?—”

“We’re good, Mom.” I smirk as I lead Evan down the hallway. I gesture to the opening. “We can work here.”

I set her backpack on the table in the corner. This room will be the best for my parents since there are no doors to close. It sucks for me though.

“Okay, first thing we need to do is figure out where you are and make a plan to get you caught up or improve your grades.” She sets the flower in front of her with a smile before she pulls out her laptop and opens it. “WiFi?”

I give her the information. “You really are a nerd, aren’t you, goody?”

Her smile makes my chest tight. “Probably. But I’ve been the one driving my education. I love my mom, but she’s not focused on me or getting good grades.”

“I wish my dad were a little more lax, but maybe a happy medium?”

As she begins to plan what I need to work on, I fill in the details when she asks for them. She takes control. I never imagined listening to her boss me around would be so hot.

When we have a plan, she sets me to work on homework for one of my classes she’s not in while she begins on her calculus homework. It’s probably been a half hour when I hear footsteps.

“How are you two doing?” Dad stands in the doorway. His gaze takes in everything. I’m sitting next to Evan instead of across from her, but we both have our texts and laptops out and are busy working.

“Good. Evan’s a good instructor.”

She blushes but smiles at my dad. “He’s not really behind. We put together a schedule, so he can stay on top of his assignments and a study schedule, so he won’t be doing it all the night before.”

My dad nods. “Who are your parents?”

Too many of my friends are from families he knows. But Evan isn’t like the other Deimos kids.

Evan clears her throat. “Heather Ward. My father passed years ago. Cancer.”

“Oh, sorry for your loss.” Dad straightens. I can see him trying to figure out the last name and if it’s someone he knows. Or a friend of a friend.

Evan smiles. “It was a long time ago. I miss him, but he’s always with me.”

Dad nods. “You’re in Deimos?”

“Anteros. I’m in the directing program.” A good thing about our school is that they train us to deal with situations like this. She has no problem rolling with the questions. “I’ve always excelled in school as well.”

“Well, if you can help Cam, we’d be grateful.” Dad steps away with a nod and leaves us alone.

“He probably counts it as a win that I’m not out partying tonight.” I roll my eyes as I focus on my screen.

Evan’s fingers stop on the keyboard. “Do you really party on weeknights?”