Page 76 of Candygrams

“What?! Of course I’m not being prejudiced. I just don’t like you.”

“Why?”

“Because you came crashing into my room, leered at me, and…I know your type and I want no part of it.”

Back to the little nugget Coach Russel gave me about my tutor’s past. It apparently is coloring her perception of me. Usually, I’m chill about shit like that. If you don’t like me, that’s alright. You can’t stand what I do, fine. But not with her. Not with this smart little tutor who is refusing me before I’ve even had the chance to figure out all of her secrets.

There’s a reason my nickname is Rip on the field. It’s because I’ll rip your goddamned arm off to get what I want. Not that I’m plotting violence where this little thing is concerned. Just the fact I want answers and I intend to find them out. Any way I have to.

Chapter Three

Tandy

The nerve of the guy. Calling me prejudice. Maybe…I’m more prone to not liking him because of my past but me saying no had nothing to do with that and everything to do with him barreling into my room uninvited and staring at me the way he did. Yeah, the money is good but is it really worth all the hassle?

And why is he following me, still?!

“You shouldn’t walk by yourself.”

“Across campus? In the morning?”

“I just meant…I’m just concerned about my new friend and tutor.”

I stop walking and turn to address him fully. “We are not friends, and I already told you I’m not taking the job. I know a tutor close by…”

“Look, I don’t want second best. I was told you were the best and that is what I want. I’m not going to be a douchebag and hit on you or try some shit. I’ll keep my hands to myself, do what you tell me, and keep my mouth shut. If it makes you feel better, let’s say we do a trial run. If you still aren’t feeling it in…two weeks, we part ways, and you still keep all the money.”

I try to look for an angle, something he’s trying to pull over on me, but all I find are blue/green eyes that look straight into mine.

“If I say yes,” I hold my hand up so he doesn’t start celebrating before he hears me out, “I want to make some things clear. There will be no flirting, no leering, no going back to your place, no bringing girls to the sessions that will stare at me with flaming stink eyes, no bullshit, and you keep your hands to yourself.”

“Deal.”

He says it way too fast.

“No bringing your girlfriend over so she can tell me how much of your time I’m asking you to give to this.”

“Don’t have one.”

Oh, spit! He’s a player. A different girl every night. No need to learn their names because they won’t be staying long enough for it to matter.

“And I do not want to walk in and find you balls deep in some girl when I schedule something.”

“Balls deep? Did you really just say ‘balls deep’?”

“Yes. I’m not trying to make you a monk, I just don’t want to see it. Do it on your own time, not mine.”

“You think I’m a man whore, don’t you?”

“I think guys like you only have to crook a finger and you have girls falling all over your dick.”

“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean I have to do anything with them.” I shake my head and turn to start walking again but am pulled up short. “Wait a minute. If you get to lay down rules, don’t I get to make a few of my own?”

“No.”

He gives me a cocked eyebrow and a look that I am sure gets him all kinds of things he wants.

“That’s hardly fair. I’ll respect your rules and time. I think it’s only right that you respect mine. At least hear them out so we can talk them over.”

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