Uncovering Officer Smith (The Discovering Trilogy #2) by Sheena Hutchinson Read Free Book Online

mouth.
    The conversation dies off until only the clanking of our spoons against the bowls remains. He pauses when he’s finished, looking me up and down with his slate grey eyes.
    “Are you mad at me?”
    My eyes go wide. I place the bowl on the table. “Me? No, why?”
    “Just asking.” His eyes look down at the clothes in his lap. Reality must hit him because he shakes out his jeans and slips his legs through, then throws his shirt over his skinny frame.
    “So,” I blurt out to distract myself from him. “What time is your first class?”
    “Not until ten.”
    “Oh, me, too. Statistics, blah.” I make a face, sticking my tongue out.
    “You studying for finals already?” He points behind him to the mess of books and scattered loose-leaf papers.
    “You can never be too ready.”
    “No, I guess not. Hey, I took Stats last semester. If you ever need help, just let me know.”
    “Aw, thanks, Tom.”
    We sit/stand there looking at each other a few seconds, before I nod and glance away.
    “Well, I should be getting ready for school.”
    “Oh, right.” He struggles to his feet. “Well, I’ll see ya.” Walking to the door, he lets himself out.
    “All right, bye,” I call, closing the door behind him. He glances back like he wants to say more, but I click the door closed, sliding the lock into place, before spinning on my heels to take a shower.
    “Mm.” I hear a groan. Turning in my doorway, Meggie emerges from her room. That ginger hair of hers is a huge mess on top of her head. “Did he leave?”
    “Yes…” I stare at her, but she avoids my eyes. “Tom? Really, Meggie?”
    “Ugh.” She folds, sitting on the stool where Tom just vacated. “Don’t remind me. We were just playing pool in the game room, he bent over to shoot, and I just caught a glance of that cute bum of his.” Her hands cup themselves in the shape of a bum to accentuate her point.
    “You’re ridiculous.”
    “I will never look at him the same. She blinks, staring at the closed door.
    “Why?” I lean against the doorpost.
    “He’s like Clark Kent. Without those dorky glasses, he’s like Superman in the bedroom.” She giggles.
    “Oh my God. Too much information.” I cover my ears. That’s when my alarm begins to blare to life from my bedroom. “Well, that’s my cue to get ready for class.”
    “Whatever, nerd,” she calls, wandering back into her room and shutting the door.
    By the time I’m ready and walk out into the living room again, Meggie is still nowhere to be found. I roll my eyes before picking up my bag and rushing out the door.
    “Becca?” I hear my name before I even have my key out of the door. Tom’s grey eyes meet mine as I turn around. The black-rimmed glasses are back on. I have to bite my lip to keep from laughing at what Meggie said.
    “Let me walk you to class.”
    “Sure,” I mutter, slinging my black messenger bag over my shoulder.
    “That looks heavy. Do you want me to carry it?”
    “Um, no, that’s okay. Thanks, though.”
    “No problem.”
    We walk down the hall in awkward silence. I get the feeling he wants to say something again, but never has the nerve to. Walking down the stairs, he attempts to stroll beside me until people pass from the opposite direction. It’s so strange between us. You would think it were me that slept with the guy. When we cross the football field, I break the silence.
    “What class are you going to?”
    “Chemistry 304.”
    “Oh, I hate chemistry – I took two biology classes to avoid it.”
    “It’s not so bad.” He shrugs.
    The morning sun is beaming down on us as we continue. I’m just happy all the snow has melted. It seems like each passing winter is getting worse and worse. Walking to school during a blizzard is not fun. The teachers go harder on dormers – no excuses, they say. The dew from the field is seeping into my sneakers – meant more for a fashion statement than active wear. It’s a wonder they can be considered