Page 54 of Under Pressure

“Hi, Brad, how are you?” I’m reflexively polite, even though I actually have somewhere to be and don’t really want to talk to him. Damn my parents for instilling their native Midwestern values in me.

“I’m good,” he says, before bringing a hand up to the back of his neck sheepishly. “Listen, sorry about dropping out of the study.”

“No big deal,” I tell him, not wanting any forced apologies. “Things like that happen all the time. We actually recruit extra participants knowing some will drop out.”

Why am I continuing to speak? I need to leave. Besides, I’m glad he left. It solved a lot of problems, not only with the data trend and not having to confess everything to Dr. Price, but also with Tyler. It’s what led to him suggesting this arrangement to begin with.

“Oh, good,” Brad says, visibly relieved.

I go to continue down the sidewalk, but he keeps speaking. “It’s just that I realized I liked you. And it would be too hard to come to the lab every week and sit there next to you, knowing nothing could happen between us.”

My jaw drops, my momentum to leave gone. He actually feels that strongly? I seriously thought him asking me out was a casual, spur-of-the-moment thing.

“So now that I’m not part of the study anymore, maybe we could go out for that coffee?”

My mouth opens and shuts in a spot-on impression of a fish until I blurt out, “I’m already seeing someone.”

He nods, the hope in his eyes fading. “That’s what I figured. It’s Tyler, isn’t it?”

My jaw mentally hits the floor now. How did he know? We’ve been careful to always act professionally in front of Dr. Price and our participants.

Oh yeah, except him.

His lips twist wryly at my silence. “The way he looks at you when you’re doing the biofeedback, the way he defended you… I had a feeling, but I had to take a chance anyway.”

I don’t confirm or deny anything he’s saying, too astounded. “I, um,” I start, not sure what to say. “I actually have to get to the lab right now.”

He checks his watch on his wrist. Who wears watches anymore? “This early?”

“Yeah, I have five other people I meet with before your appointment. At least, when you used to come,” I finish awkwardly.

“Okay, well, I guess I’ll see you. Maybe we’ll have another class together next semester.”

“Yeah, maybe,” I chuckle weakly, escaping as fast as I can without being obvious. Why in the world would he want to see me again? I just said no to him twice.

I speed-walk toward the psych building once I’m out of his sight, out of breath by the time I reach our room in the Stress Lab. Not that I’m anywhere near late, but I wanted to be here early to tell Tyler—

Wait, I’m not going to tell him anything about running into Brad. That will only set him off. Besides, I have no desire to admit he was right again after he insisted Brad was into me. He doesn’t need his ego fed any more.

He gives me a head nod as I drop my backpack on my desk, returning his attention to his computer. Everything is already set up the way I like, along with our data spreadsheet up on his screen.

Was Brad right? Does Tyler really watch me when I’m not looking? Or was Brad just seeing what he wanted to see to justify to himself why I wouldn’t go out with him? I mean, I never actually told him he was correct. For all he knows, I could be with someone else. Or completely lying.

Why wouldn’t Tyler watch you? He wants to make sure you’re doing your job right. How you perform reflects on him too. If you screw up the study, he’ll be pissed.

Hmm, that’s true.

“You have any cupcakes for me?”

“What?” I come out of my reverie to find him smirking at me.

“Brownies? Cookies? How about some of that pie you promised me?”

I glance around as if I actually do have it hidden somewhere. “Does it look like I have anything big enough to carry a pie around in?”

“It could be in your backpack.” He gets out of his chair, coming over to stand by my desk.

“It’s full of books.” My breath catches at how close he is now.

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