Page 7 of Bad Reputation

“I mean, just because we broke up—”

“I didn’t think flings got breakups.”

Yeah, I deserved that one. “I think we can be friends still.”

“Really? I don’t.”

We just stand there for a second, looking at each other. Fuck, I didn’t expect negotiating things to be this hard with her. I have to come up with something to stop the hatred, and fast.

“I need your help,” comes out of my mouth, without me even really thinking about it.

Emma raises an eyebrow. “Oh?”

“Yep. Uh… with studying for the GED. Yeah, I’m hopeless at studying by myself. I already had to put off my tests again for another month.” It’s true that I delayed my testing, but it isn’t because I can’t study alone. I just haven’t been in the mood lately, at all.

“I don’t know…” she says, her brow furrowing.

I go for the gusto. “It’s just, I feel so stupid when I try to study by myself. Like, I know that I should be able to, but…”

I try to look pathetic. If you’ve ever been my height and tried to make a face like a pouty little kid, you know what I’m talking about.

She looks at me, and I can see her wavering. She’s mad as hell still, but apparently my education is more important than that. She chews her lower lip.

I know what she needs to hear. She thinks I am pathetic, that I can’t study by myself. I swallow the lump of pride that collects in my throat. I say the magic words, lowering my voice.

“Please? I can’t do it on my own. I need help.”

Emma’s eyes narrow. For a second, I think she’s about to yell at me. But she doesn’t. Instead, she sighs and looks really annoyed with herself.

“Fine,” she bites off, crossing her arms.

I feel my cheek heat; I’m ashamed of myself. Not only for having to take the damn GED in the first place, but for using it as an excuse to get Emma to forgive me.

“Thank you,” I say, laying my hand on her arm.

She pulls away, like I am made of hot coals. Her face scrunches up. She looks actually wounded, like me touching her arm is an unforgivable sin. “Don’t touch me.”

My face heats a little more. “Sorry.”

I see her own cheeks start to flush. “We need… we need boundaries.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Boundaries? Like what?”

She rubs her arm where I touched her, looking angry. “Like no touching, for a start. And no… like, brooding.”

“No brooding.” I honesty try to keep a straight face, but I can’t quite manage it.

My lips lift a little, and her mood suddenly darkens. The look in her green eyes is almost violent. She glares at me.

“If you’re not going to take me seriously, you can study by yourself.”

“No no,” I say, raising my hands. “You make the rules, okay?”

“Damn right, I do.” She looks hostile towards me.

“So, uh…” I rub the back of my neck. “Should I come over tomorrow night, then?”

“What? Uh, no. We are going to meet at a coffee shop, during the day. You lost your privileges to just come and go as you wish from my house.”

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