Page 18

Tobie

Ignoring the stares from the students pouring out of the McAllister building, I linger, embarrassed but determined to do something for Reid after what he did for me.

I didn’t just share my schedule with Reid, Javier, and Caleb, they shared theirs with me, which is how I know to be here early this afternoon.

After my humiliation at the arena, I thought I would crawl into the nearest sleeping bag, zip it up, and forget the way out. I never expected to be laughing on an ice rink days later.

When the door swings open again, Reid emerges, his footsteps slow, and a smile transforms his face. “Hey, Tobie. You want to hit the rink again?”

I eye him curiously, sensing I know what’s happening here. It’s the same thing that happened in the coffee shop.

Avoidance.

Reid leads the way from the building. “I was thinking about yesterday.”

“Skating?” He aims a smile at me.

“No. The coffee shop.”

“What about it?”

I continue walking, trying to ignore the curious glances we’re attracting. Caleb was right. We were at the frat party for a hot second, yet everyone knows we’re dating.

“What is it, Tobie?”

When we’re far away from the nearest students, I grip my bag a little tighter and face Reid head-on. “You were lying about your paper.”

I brace myself for his response to my accusation.

I wasn’t expecting his smile. “And what makes you think that?”

“Back in high school, I put my name down to tutor anyone who needed it.” I flick a rapid glance at Reid. “It’s, uh… it’s how Marc and I started dating.”

His smile fades. “And this is important because?”

“He didn’t like me doing it after we got together, I guess because it’s how we met. I mean, it’s not like lightning hits the same spot… I’m rambling. What I mean is that’s how I know you need help with your paper. I lost count of how many people needed help but didn’t know how to ask for it.”

A softness enters his gaze. “Are you offering to tutor me, Tobie?” he asks softly.

I gulp. “Uh, I guess. And it wouldn’t be tutoring, really. Just help. If you want it.”

He studies me for several seconds, then he tosses his bag on top of a bench and climbs onto it. He offers me his hand.

I hesitate.

The rule follower in me sees his feet resting on the bench and wants to say something.

When I take his hand, he helps me up beside him.

“I don’t think we’re supposed to sit on the top like this,” I tell him.

He nudges my shoulder. “Some rules were meant to be broken, Giggles.”

For some inexplicable reason, I blush. “That is still a ridiculous name.”

“Not if everyone calls you Pollyanna,” he says cheerfully.

He gives me a brief smile, then turns to the quad where the students are hurrying to class, the gym, or the dining room.

I watch him, surprised by how easy it is to be around him.

Two days ago, we were strangers. Now, everyone thinks we’re dating, and there are times when we’re together when it almost feels like we are.

Like when he walked me to my room, and even though no one was around, he still kissed me goodnight.

Why would he do that when there was no one around to see?

He rakes his hand through his light brown hair and releases a soft sigh. “I’ve been a people pleaser since I was ten years old. How about you?”

“What makes you think I am?”

“Takes one to know one.”

“Forever,” I quietly admit. “I always found it easier to go along with what everyone wanted than say I wanted to do something different.”

He slowly nods as he watches two students tossing a football back and forth. “I find it easier to focus on fixing other people’s problems than my own. So now I have a twenty-page paper to write in under two weeks, and it’s worth sixty percent of my grade. And I haven’t even started it.”

I’m always ahead with my papers, finishing and submitting them long before they’re due. But hearing that?

It’s not my paper, so why does it feel like I’m the one breaking out in hives?

“I’ve finished all my papers for this semester.”

“I don’t need help.”

I arch my eyebrow.

After a long moment, he sighs and looks away. “Caleb has stopped freaking out about missing his shot, but he’s probably internalized it.”

“You said you needed me to help distract him. I can do that, and I can help you study for your paper. I warn you, I don’t know much about public policy, but I’m a fast reader, and I know how to write a strong paper. We can do it.”

“You don’t know me,” he says.

“Should we only help the people we know and ignore everyone else?” I counter.

“You’re going to be stubborn about this, huh?” he says with a slight smile.

“I can be about some things. I get it from my dad.”

“What things is he stubborn about?”

“I eat all the vegetables on my plate, and I ask for help when I need it, even if I’ve done something stupid that I think I’ll get in trouble for.”

“And did you ever get in trouble for those stupid things?”

I shake my head. “Because me being safe is more important than me being hurt.”

“He sounds like a good guy.”

“He’s the best.”

After another thoughtful moment, he nods. “Okay, but don’t say anything to Javier or Caleb.”

I scrunch my nose. “Why not? I’m sure they’d help if you asked for it.”

“I’m the helper, not the helpee.” He gets to his feet and holds his hand out for mine.

“Not sure helpee is a word, Reid.” I place my hand in his, and he helps me to my feet, but he doesn’t immediately let go.

“Thanks.”

“Everyone needs help sometimes, and you’re doing way more for me than I am for you.”

A hint of a smile curls his lips. “I’m not so sure about that. Want to come to my room and study?”

His eyes dip to my mouth as he speaks, and butterflies form in my belly.

I lick my suddenly dry lips. “Why did you say study like that?”

“Like what?” His smile is innocence personified.

“Like you meant something else.”

“Now, what else would I want to do with a beautiful woman in my dorm room?”

That butterfly sensation in my belly tightens.

I eye him steadily. “You keep flirting with me, even when no one is around to hear you.”

There are students around, but they’re feet away.

His smile grows. “And apparently failing miserably at it.”

“I thought the point was to help each other out.” I jump, startled, when he slides his arm around my shoulder and steers me toward the other side of the quad. “You know? The fake-date agreement we have.”

He laughs. “Is that what you’re calling it?”

I blush. “I figure I have to call it something. What are you calling it?”

“Project Headless Ex.”

I look at him.

He widens his eyes. “What? It’s a good name. Bloody and memorable.”

“Max…” I ask myself what I’m doing bringing up Max, who has been gently encouraging me to sleep with three hot hockey players, not for revenge but to have fun.

“ Max ?” His forehead furrows in a frown.

“A girl on my floor. Maxine Ryan.”

That line melts away. Almost as if…

No.

Do not let your mind go there. Reid was not jealous because he thought you were talking about a guy.

“Oh. What about her?”

He continues guiding me toward Reynolds Hall, his strong, warm arm a pleasant weight around me. “We bonded over a mutual dislike of hockey,” I tell him.

“Don’t let Caleb hear you say that,” he says with a grin. “He’ll never forgive you.”

I smile. “Not just hockey. Most sports.”

I catch a girl staring at us like she can’t believe I’m with Reid.

I’m struggling to believe it as well.

“You sure we’re just gonna study?”

“Yes.”

“You sure?” His eyes dip to my mouth.

“This is just pretend,” I remind him.

“Is it?” He leans toward me, and I stop breathing.

He’s going to kiss me again.

Why am I not stopping him?

Why, in fact, am I leaning toward him?

I’m staring at his mouth, a death grip on my bag as I prepare to close my eyes.

“After you,” he says with a smile.

I glance to the right.

He has the door to his dorm building open.

He bent to open it, and I thought he was getting ready to kiss me.

Idiot.

Face hot, I turn to enter when he grasps my arm. “Tobie?”

I twist around. “Yeah?”

“Pretend can stop anytime you want it to. You know that, right?”

“Why would I need to know that?”

“Just telling you the most important rule of Project Headless Ex. That’s all.”

“I thought it was revenge. And getting girls off your back.”

He holds the door farther open for me. “Is it?”