Page 118 of Tell Me Lies

“What the fuck is your problem?”

“You. You are going to be a problem, Matthias. And my life is complicated enough without any more issues added into the mix.”

“You don’t even know me.” His voice is lower now and I feel bad, but not enough to make me change my mind.

I can find another job. Take some extra hours cleaning offices downtown. The one thing I can’t do is spend any amount of time with him.

“I don’t need to know you,” I start to lie but he cuts me off.

“Tutor me. We can do it away from campus, no one will know.”

“I can’t.”

“I’ll pay you five hundred dollars a week and a bonus if I get higher than a B minus on any subject.”

He sounds like he is negotiating but I know I’ve already lost. That money will fix all my problems. I could quit my job and focus only on getting my degree. If I put in the time I may be able to get out of this florescent-lit hellhole sooner.

“If I do this,” I say staring at the overcast sky, “no one can know. I’m serious. If one person finds out, I will quit.”

“Fine. I will text you my address. When do you want to start?” There’s a smugness to his voice, the small victory seemingly enough to make him happy.

“I can be there at five.”

“See you then.”

The first drop of rain falls on my upturned face as I work through the repercussions of what I have just agreed to. This is not going to end well.

Chapter Five

Matthias Delgado

I hate the word “no.” Not as much as I hate having to beg for help. And this girl has hit both those sore spots. But I couldn’t let her refuse me. I need help and she is the only one with openings to work with me.

Stepping back into the kitchen I catch Thalia’s eye.

“I got someone to tutor me,” I say grabbing a bottle of fruit juice from the fridge.

“So, what has you frowning like you want to kill someone?”

Thalia knows me better than anyone, even more than my father. Ever since I was a little boy, she has been my confidant. She calls me out on my bullshit and never allows me to quit. She’s my cheerleader, my moral compass, and my punisher when it’s called for.

“Everyone else was full except the one girl. And she didn’t want to do it,” I reply sullenly.

“What did you do?” Thalia asks with a raised brow, well aware that I’m unlikely to take no for an answer.

I shrug. “I did what all rich kids do. I threw money at the problem.”

She shakes her head, trying to hide a smile. “Let’s hope it’s worth it.”

The doorbell rings and I head that way to check who it is. Tutor girl said she would be here at five but that’s still hours away. My father is in Vegas to meet a new Russian supplier so it shouldn’t be anyone to see him.

Opening the door, I glare at Amber. “Why are you here?”

“Am I not allowed to visit my boyfriend?” she replies in what I recognize is supposed to be her sexy voice.

I step out of the house and close the door behind me. “I have plans.”

“Cancel them.” She runs her hands down my chest to my belt, pressing kisses along my jaw, the stench of weed burning my nostrils.

---