Page 31 of Uncovered
I blush. “Not a gift, necessarily. Maybe I’m just feeling charitable today.”
“Uh-huh. Well, be careful. That coffee’s hot. And so is the guy you’re giving it to.”
I laugh as I leave the shop and take the short walk to the writing lab. I nod at Meg as I walk in, since my hands are full, and then head over to see Ty who, as usual, has his head in a book.
“You’re late,” he says without looking up.
I check the clock on the wall. “By like two minutes, and because I brought you coffee,” I say.
At that, he looks up. “Why?”
Lord help me, I’m about to dump this coffee in his lap. “Because I’m nice. Because it’s the middle of September and I’m homesick and I miss my brother and he was a good person. He was always doing stuff like that, ok? Like, we’d be at the drive-thru and he’d pay for the car behind us. And he’s gone now and I miss him and I thought--”
Ty reaches out and takes my hand in his. “Jesus. I’m an ass. I’m sorry. I didn’t--”
“Well, now you know. I don’t talk about him a ton because, god, because it sucks. He died two and a half years ago. It was awful. He was away at school and he was pledging a frat and--” My voice breaks as tears tumble down my face.
“Shh, it’s ok, you don’t need to explain.” Suddenly, Ty’s crouched beside me, his hand warm and gentle, rubbing circles on my back.
I wipe the tears away with the back of my hand. “I’m sorry, I…”
“No, I’m sorry. God. I’m being an asshole. It seems to be a constant state for me whenever you’re around. I promise, I’m not this much of a dick to anyone else.”
“So what?” I ask, half-laughing, half-crying. “You’re telling me you’re an asshole and it’s my fault?”
“God no, the fault is all mine. Look, I--it doesn’t matter.” He shakes his head and resumes his seat. Stern Ty is back. “Thank you, for the coffee and for putting up with me. I’ll--”
“God, this is exhausting. Can we just call a truce? Like, you don’t have to like me. That’s fine. But I need your help and this is kind of your job, so...I don’t know. I just can’t handle the hot-and-cold, ok? I can’t do this. I’d walk away, but you are literally the only person I’ve met who understands this stuff and I need your help to pass this class. But I just don’t get you. I don’t get the Jekyll and Hyde act--and yes, that was a literary reference. I don’t get why you hate me and I don’t get why you’re nice to me. And I don’t know who pissed in your Cheerios, but I just--can’t you just pretend I’m someone you can tolerate for the next hour?”
Ty chances a look around, but thankfully, the other tutors are busy and aren’t paying us any attention.
“Yea, yes, we can call a truce. Look, it’s my fault, all of it. I--”
I take a deep breath and shake my head. “I don’t need an explanation or an emotional outpouring, ok? I just need your help.”
“Then it’s all yours,” he tells me, and we get to work.
***
We’re halfway throughSixteen Candlesand on our second bowl of popcorn when Mel’s phone starts to buzz.
“Damn it. Voldemort strikes again,” she grumbles as she swipes up to answer. “Hey...are you fucking kidding me? No...no, stay there. Park your ass inside the front entrance. I’ll be there in five.” She turns to me, but I’m already standing and reaching for my keys.
“I’ll drive,” I tell her, slipping on my shoes.
“Are you sure? Ian’s been drinking. He’s not wasted or anything, but he’s had a few.”
“I’ll be fine,” I tell her, and I will. I know what I’m walking into and I know he’s safe. “I’m taking it Christian didn’t show?”
“I wish,” she scoffs as we take the stairs. “He showed up, all was good, and then he left to get drinks. Ian went to the men’s room and walked in to find Christian on his knees with some guy’s dick in his mouth. And it’s not the first time he’s pulled this shit. I freaking hate that guy,” she mutters as we walk across the lot to my car.
***
Half an hour later, I’m back on Ian’s comfy couch as he gives me slightly slurred advice about men. “Don’t trust them, Phoebe. They’re all fuckers. Every last one.”
I nod at his imparted wisdom because, bless his heart, he’s dead serious.
“‘Specially your tutor. Sure, he’s all hot and smart and shit, but that’s how they get you. And I’m telling you--those boys are messed up, every last one of them.” He takes a sip of the water Mel handed him, frowning because it tastes funny.
