After Math by Denise Grover Swank Read Free Book Online

seems genuinely anxious. “Okay. No library. Where?”
    “We could meet at the coffee shop.”
    I hesitate. Our first meeting was there, and that was disastrous. And I’m getting coffee with Daniel at the same place tomorrow. But why should that matter? It just means I’ll already be there. “How about I meet you at the coffee shop, and if it’s too noisy, we can go somewhere else.”
    “Thanks.” He releases a heavy breath of relief.
    “No, thank you. There might be something to this exercise thing.”
    He opens the outer doors, following me outside. “Where are you parked?”
    I tell him, and we walk in silence, but it’s not awkward. I’m amazed how comfortable I am with him.
    We stop next to my car, and Tucker smiles. “Thanks for tonight.”
    I laugh. “You’re the one who helped me. Why are you thanking me?”
    “Because for the first time in a long time, I had fun working out.” He hesitates, then opens my car door. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
    As I drive away, I shake my head in confusion. Just when I think I’ve figured Tucker out, he shows me another side, confusing me even more.

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    Chapter Thirteen
     
     
    Daniel is waiting for me after set and logic on Monday, and I suppress a cringe. What am I going to do about this situation?
    “I don’t have time to have coffee with you,” he says, his eyes apologetic. “I’ve got to meet my advisor, but I didn’t want to make you think I’d stood you up.”
    I smile. He really is a nice guy. He deserves better than me stringing him along.
    “I realized I didn’t have your number to text you.”
    “Oh.” I pull out my phone and he takes it from my hand to enter his number.
    “If you want to get ahold of me”—he looks up and grins—“for any reason, feel free to call or text.”
    “Thanks,” I say, looking at my phone in his hand.
    He hands it back. “I’ll see you Wednesday, unless you decide you want to see me sooner.” His meaning is clear.
    “Thanks.” I still can’t make myself look at him.
    “You look like you’re feeling better.”
    “Yeah,” I shrug and finally look up. “I’m much better. Thanks.”
    He walks backward down the hall. “I’ll talk to you later.”
    “Bye.”
    I didn’t have my morning coffee at home in anticipation of meeting Daniel so I head to the coffee shop without him and wait in the line to place my order.
    “I heard he’s actually seeing someone.” A girl in front of me says to her friend. “He was supposed to go to Scott’s party on Saturday night, and he never showed.”
    The second girl lowers her chin and lifts her eyebrows. “Tucker Price skipped a party? What? Was he in jail?”
    My ears perk up at the mention of Tucker’s name, but I try not to look too interested.
    “No, he stayed home. Jason said he was doing homework. On a Saturday night. How insane is that?”
    “Was he with someone?”
    “ He stayed home . You know he never takes girls to his place. And Jason said he was at his place. All weekend.”
    Tucker’s alleged activity this weekend goes against everything Caroline is always telling me as well. And who’s Jason? I know he’s the dark-headed guy who talked to Tucker at the gym, but is he Tucker’s roommate?
    I spend the rest of my time before Arabic trying to study, but I spend more time thinking about Tucker, and the gossip I overheard. What does it mean? Why should it matter to me? But Tucker and I are friends. He even admitted it. Doesn’t that give me the right to care?
    The rest of the afternoon flies by in math lab, and I’m exhausted when I leave ten minutes late. Tucker’s standing in the shadows in the hall. He grins when he sees me.
    “Tucker, what are you doing here?”
    “We did it, Scarlett. We got a B-plus.”
    I stop in front of him, my heart bursting with pride. “No, you did it, Tucker.