Page 55 of The Fake Date Agreement

He spends the next several minutes cracking jokes and telling me about all the embarrassing trips and falls he’s had on the ice. Everything except school. As relaxed as he seems to be, it all feels like a distraction.

Chapter 14

Tobie

Ignoringthe 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.”

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