Page 51 of Tutoring Mr. Hotshot

Rodney

The library is blessedly empty today. Andry’s tutoring session is in a few minutes, and while I’ve gotten used to people seeing us together, having a few less eyes is a relief. The man has a legion of admirers. They track his movements like they’re logging them in some diary to look over later.

It’s kind of disturbing.

Really, I shouldn’t have expected any less. Aries’s fans are the same way. Since he’s now dating Raymond, they have become less forward, though they’re still around.

Andry is young, hot, and extremely talented. There is no chance of them not being as obsessive about him, if not more so.

I scroll my phone while I wait on the bench out front. He’s always right on time so I know it won’t be long. He had practice just before our session. I’m kind of hoping he gives me one of those massive hugs when he shows up. They’re amazing on their own. After a fresh shower though — yeah, it’s a whole thing. I love them.

A text from Andry pops up when there’s about five minutes left until he has to show up. I get a bit giddy about seeing his name pop up. That feeling immediately turns to dread when I see what he’s sent.

Andry:I’m not coming to the session. We’re done. With all of it. I don’t know what I was thinking being with someone like you. This was never going to work. Forget about me and move on. I’m blocking your number now. Don’t make this any worse by asking questions.

My body immediately goes numb. How can he say these things to me? How can he be so callous when he worked so hard to get me to trust him?

It doesn’t feel right.

And yet.

I double check to make sure he’s the one who sent the message. It’s definitely him. The last message before that was him telling me he missed me.

What could have happened in the last few hours to change his mind?

Was this all some elaborate joke like I originally thought?

Theories rush through my mind one after the other in a torrent of self-doubt. I can’t slow them down no matter how hard I try.

I realize I’m not breathing right either. It’s too fast. Too sharp.

My chest hurts.

Fuck.

Am I having a panic attack?

Pushing my head between my knees, I tell myself to calm the fuck down. I can’t allow myself to get all worked up over this right now. I’m in public. There aren’t a ton of people around, but word would travel fast if I let it get too far.

Once I know I’m not in danger of falling apart, I ease my breathing and slowly stand. I throw my bag over my shoulder, marching directly to the parking lot. A short drive later, I’m home and rushing through the door.

Ma is on the couch, one of her favorite reality tv shows on. She turns my way with a smile. “Hey, Cariño. You’re home early.”

I shake my head, my voice lost to the pain. She frowns, but I ignore it as I rush up the stairs. I can’t face her right now. Answering questions will be too hard.

Alone.

I need to be alone.

The way I’ll always be.

* * *

My alone time only lasts a short while. I’m not sure how long it’s been since I turned my phone off and buried myself in bed the minute I reached my room.

But the sound of my brother’s footsteps in the hall tells me I’m out of time. The door creaks open a second later.

Aries drops onto the side of my bed, his big body making me roll forward towards him. He chuckles for a second before clearing his throat.

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