Page 96 of Hate to Love You

Sick to my stomach, I nod.

The hand gripping my shoulder disappears, and then he’s gone. The door closes softly behind him.

I don’t know how long I sit on the chair, everything Mr. McKinnon said swirling through my brain. It’s only when a text from Brody flashes across the screen of my phone do I remember that I was supposed to meet him at the library.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Natalie

I find Brody on the third floor, tucked into the corner that has become our spot. His books are spread out, and he’s looking over another set of flash cards I made for him. Each chapter is color-coded and I made sure to use big, block writing so he’s easily able to decode the words.

All I’m trying to do is help.

And yet, according to Brody’s dad, I’m a liability. I still feel shaken from the conversation. Dropping onto the seat across from him, I avert my eyes and lay my bag on the table.

“I thought we were meeting at four?” Brody asks with a slight frown.

“I’m sorry. Something came up,” I say evasively.

Even though I’m focused on pulling out my books and computer, I feel his eyes on me as if he’s waiting for an explanation. But I can’t give him a truthful one. I can’t tell him that his dad just paid me a visit. That he wants me to end things between us.

It’s all I could think about on the way over. If I tell Brody about his father stopping by for a private conversation, it’ll just cause problems between them. How can I do that? Brody doesn’t have any other family. It’s always been him and his dad. I can’t, in good conscience, do anything to jeopardize that relationship. No matter how much I care about him.

Mr. McKinnon wants the best for his son. I want that as well. The difference is that he doesn’t see me as the best thing for Brody.

And that hurts.

The last thing I want is to hold Brody back.

“Nat?” Brody asks, jolting me out of my thoughts.

He must sense something is off with me, because he didn’t refer to me as Davies like he usually does. It’s enough to make the backs of my eyes burn. When I have my emotions firmly under control, I glance up. Concern darkens his golden-colored eyes.

I lift the corners of my lips into a thin smile, one that will hopefully reassure him. “Um, Stacy, my boss from the internship last summer, called, and wanted to know what my plans are after graduation.”

“Oh?” Looking interested, he perks up.

I nod. “We ended up talking for about fifteen minutes. Sorry.”

He reaches out and snags my fingers. I stare at our clasped hands, realizing just how affectionate he is. We hold hands at every opportunity. Brody often slings an arm around my shoulder when we’re walking around campus and holds me in his arms when we’re standing in line.

“That’s great. What did you tell her?” He sounds genuinely happy for me.

“I told her that I was interested.” I clear my throat and force out the rest of the lie. “And that I’d like to meet with her to speak at greater length about the opportunity.”

His gaze sharpens. “You mentioned they have offices all over the country, right?”

I glance away. “Yeah, I think they have offices in every major city.” I have spoken with Stacy, but I’m nowhere near making a decision. It was the first excuse that came to mind.

“Good to know.” He gives me a little wink. “That could come in handy down the road.”

The implication of his words brings a lump to my throat. I need to change the subject before this conversation goes any further. Until I figure out what I’m going to do, I’m not going to mention his dad’s visit. “You’ve been going over the cards I gave you?”

“Every chance I get, I pull them out,” he tells me.

“How about I quiz you?”

“Sure.”

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