Page 33 of Tutored By the Smart Girl

“Mom is,” Rush whispers into my hair.

“Not your dad?”

“Not really.” Rush’s mouth moves to my ear. “Let’s not talk about this anymore.”

I devour his mouth and he groans. “No more talking for tonight.”

“Agreed.”

The morning before mid-terms,I meet Rush in the café on campus. He has that sexy smirk on his face.

“Good morning, sunshine.” He winks and slides into the booth next to me.

I kiss his stubbled cheek. “Good morning, yourself. Are you ready for tomorrow? The big day, right?”

He takes a cautious drink from his coffee mug. “I am and I owe it all to you.”

“Well, let’s not get too excited. You still have to pass the exam, you know.”

He laughs. “Thanks for your support, coach.”

“Just saying.”

He squeezes my leg under the table and wraps his arm around my shoulder. “I’m surprised not to see your nose in a book this morning.”

I shrug. “Just enjoying my coffee for a change.”

Rush’s teammate Sean Piper— or Pipe as the team calls him— slides into the empty seat of our booth.

“Morning,” he greets and takes a big gulp from his plastic milk container.

“Hey, Pipe,” Rush says. “Tomorrow’s the big day. Ready for your mid-terms?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be, I guess.” Sean shrugs. “I still have to finish a report in my composition class, but I’ll be ready to hand that in tomorrow. Hopefully.”

Sean takes another huge gulp from the milk jug. “You going to the party tonight?”

“Oh, at Will’s new place. Probably not. Not the night before mid-terms, man.”

“Oh, come on. You need to make a showing. The team will be there. You’re invited too, Ads.”

Since the second time I met Sean, he now calls me Ads like we’re old friends.

“Not tonight.” I take a sip of my coffee. “I’m going to look through a few things and then head to bed early so I’m ready for tomorrow.”

“Good idea,” Rush agrees. “Me too. My exam in math is early.”

“Seriously?” Sean rolls his eyes. “It’s not like you have to stay late. Just come over. Have one beer and then go home and get your beauty sleep.”

Rush looks at me with raised eyebrows. “You wanna go and have one drink with me?”

Although I’m about ready to give in, responsible Adison beats out fun Adison. “Not tonight, guys.”

Sean hops out of the booth. “Gotta run. I’ll see you tonight at Will’s place.”

“See you then.” Rush holds up a fist and shares a fist bump with his teammate.

“Are you sure you don’t want to join me? I heard Will’s new place has a hot tub.” Rush gives me a mischievous grin.

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