Page 58 of Tutoring the Bad Boy
Ronnie nods. “Yeah, not only are we feeding you, but Dixie’s got dishing to do.”
Yes. Yes, she does, which means my meeting with Kaleb tonight isn’t happening. My friend needs me, and as important as Kaleb is to me, Dixie’s equally important and her heart’s hurting.
* * *
Greasy fried food,too much gooey cheese, and if I take one more bite of that chocolate whatever, I’ll puke. Lying back on Ronnie’s bed, I moan as my stomach feels like it might explode. There is zero chance of me running tonight either. If I do, there’s no doubt I’ll throw up.
“Oh my word, y’all, I think I’m gonna die,” Dixie says, groaning as she joins me on the bed. “Why did we do this again?”
Ronnie’s joined in on the fun, but not nearly as much as me and Dixie. “Because we’re drowning your sorrows, giving Ginny food for Thanksgiving, and giving me a chance to hang with my two best friends before flying to California in the middle of the night.”
“Well, we got the drowning part right, but I’m not sure about the sorrows.” Dixie sighs.
I raise up on my elbows and tap Dixie with my knee. “Yeah, about that.”
“Oh, I’m being stupid.” She waves me off. “It’s nothing.”
“Great,” Ronnie says. “Spill it!”
Dixie cuts a glance my direction. “You remember that guy who was with Kaleb at my party?”
“Chris?” The name comes out more like a question than I want it too. I absolutely remember Chris. He’s cute, just…not Kaleb-cute.
Ronnie’s face lights up. “I remember him too. Geez, he’s smoking hot.”
A smile breaks out on Dixie’s lips. “Don’t I know it.”
“So what’s the problem?” Ronnie asks.
Shrugging, Dixie says, “I thought he wasn’t with anyone, but I saw a girl kiss him yesterday.”
My eyebrows shoot to my hairline. “Did he tell you he wasn’t with anyone?”
Dixie nods.
Ronnie scoffs in disgust. “Gross. Better to find out he’s a jerk now than find out later.”
“I know, but…” Dixie’s sentence trails off. “I just thought…” She waves it off and rolls her eyes. “On to bigger and better things. It’s stupid anyway. We were just talking. It’s not like I have a claim on him.”
Just then it hits me that I haven’t texted Kaleb yet. I pull out my phone and check the time. I’m supposed to meet him in thirty minutes. Crud. I push off the bed, holding my stomach. “Bathroom break. I’ll be right back.”
I get to the door, and Ronnie says, “When you’re texting Kaleb, ask about Chris.”
My cheeks burn, but I don’t turn around. “I’m just using the bathroom.”
“Right…” Ronnie laughs, and Dixie joins in.
“I am,” I say and run to the bathroom. Okay, so yes, they know what I’m doing, but I refuse to verbalize it, and I don’t want them spying over my shoulder.
When I reach it, I shut the door and lean my hip against the sink counter, furiously typing out a text, letting him know I’m at Ronnie’s and I can’t meet him. Three little dots appear, and then his text pops up.
Kaleb: No chance of sneaking away, huh?
Me: No, I’ve been a little absent lately. Plus, I really don’t want to eat tofurkey.
Kaleb: I wouldn’t either…
Kaleb: I was looking forward to our little rendezvous.
