Page 5 of Still Here Without You

“Okay, now for the test.”

“Um, what?” Delilah recoils, and an adorable look of confusion crosses her face. I have to hold back another laugh.

“It’s time to test you on the chapter we just discussed,” I state, matter-of-factly.

“We didn’tjustdiscuss anything. We’ve been casually chatting for the past thirty minutes.”

“I know. And now it’s time to get back to it,” I say before moving my focus to the book.

“Okay, then,” she huffs and opens her textbook to the right spot.

“See what I mean? I know this stuff!” Delilah exclaims and falls into a heap on the table, head on her arms, body sagging. She’s a hot mess.

I stare at her with what I’m sure is a puzzled expression. She’s right. She seems to know her stuff. Even taking her mind off topic didn’t throw her.Hmm… “Then why are you here? I mean, I know I’m pretty good to look at, but you were expecting Joelle, so that can’t be it.”

Her head pops up for just long enough to roll her eyes before she drops it back down and mumbles, “I told you. It’s all up here”—she taps her head without lifting it—“until I sit down to do the test.”

“Does that happen a lot? Performance anxiety?” I ask, even though I’m pretty sure I’m risking a beating.

“No, never,” she scoffs and sits up. “Why? Is that somethingyousuffer from? I’m sorry.” She gives me a fake sympathetic pout, then it slowly morphs into a grin. I ignore her.

“Is your teacher hot? Are you getting distracted? Oh, let me guess…” I say, snapping my fingers. “You have Travers. I’ve heard a lot of girls—”

Oof. That hurt.My eyes snap to Delilah as I rub my shoulder where her textbook magically hit me out of nowhere. I didn’t even see it in her hands, and her eyes never left mine. She gives me an innocent expression, batting her eyelashes, with the slightest lift of her shoulder.How the fuck did she get me without looking? Lucky shot.That’s twice now. I was right to be worried. She definitely has violent tendencies.

“All I’m saying is I’ve heard he can be distracting.” I exaggeratedly rub my arm and wince.

“I don’t even have Travers. I don’t even know Travers!” Her arms flap around as she speaks before her eyes lift to the sky as though she’s trying to recall information. When the hint of a smile plays on her lips, I know she’s figured out who Travers is. He’s got that hot professor vibe that’s hard to look away from.So I’ve been told. I laugh just as the alarm goes off on my phone.

“And that’s time. It was nice meeting you, Del. I won’t be offended if I don’t see you again.”

Sheappears offended by my remark, causing me to snicker again. “What I mean is, you said so yourself—you know this stuff. You don’t need me.”

“I have to do this.”

“You don’t. You just need to concentrate—”

“I’m not distracted, asshole. And I dohaveto do this. If I don't, it's an automatic fail. I’ll lose my spot on the team and miss out on other opportunities.Please,” she begs with a look of panic.

“Right, okay. Same time tomorrow?”

She lets out a long sigh. “Yes, thank you.”

I grab my things and throw them in my bag before walking to the door. Hopefully just one more session and I can tick tutoring off my list. “See ya then.” I wave over my shoulder without a backward glance.

“Bye, Joelle,” she yells after me, and I can’t stop the laugh from escaping.

My best friend, Dylan, is in the yard when I get home so I head out the back to meet him. He’s the picture of relaxation, kicking back on the outdoor sofa, his messy brown hair tucked under his football team-issued cap.

Raising my arms above my head, I clench my hands together and stretch. “I’m living the tutoring dream. Your little dare backfired. She’s a hottie.”

Without looking up from his comfortable position, he scoffs. “For the last time, I didn’t dare you to become a tutor. Thatneverhappened. You came up with that all on your own.”

“You said you didn’t think I was cut out for it. Therefore, you set the challenge.”

He shakes his head but laughs. “So, how hot are we talking?”

“If she kept her mouth shut, she’d be a ten. So, let’s go with nine. Actually, I can’t lie. She’s still a ten, even with her smart mouth.” I pull at my bottom lip with my teeth as I picture her smart mouth and those lips as they suck on her pen. I can actually imagine them wrapped around my…Whoa! Hold up.I shake my thoughts free and move to sit on the edge of the deck.

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