“Before you go in, I need to check out your water heater. I looked at the bills this morning and I think we have a leak somewhere.”
“I haven’t noticed anything.”
“Well, always good to check. I’ll be quick.” He takes the doll. “I’ll put this inside, so you don’t have to stand here holding it. Wait right here.”
“Okay. Thanks—I guess.”
I sit in the sun, the never relenting Texas breeze blowing my hair wild around my head. True to his word, about ten minutes later, Dave’s back.
“Okay. I set the doll on your dresser. And everything looks good with the water heater. Must be a problem somewhere else.”
“Glad it’s all right. I’ll see you guys later. Welcome home.”
Dave nods and heads up to the main house.
* * *
I check my phone when I get out of the shower. Ten thirty-three.
Crap.
I grab my shorts and a tank top. My study partner’s going to be ticked. I was supposed to meet Slade at ten-fifteen.
Scooping up my books, I head out the door. I’m ten feet from the end of the drive when Danny turns in on his bike. I stop to let him pass, but he pulls up beside me and flips the visor up on his helmet.
The clock in the dash says it’s ten-forty. “Hey, I’ve got to meet a friend. Can’t chat now. I’m late.”
His hand goes for the buckle at his chin. “A friend?”
“Yup. Need to go. See ya.” I roll up my window, hitting the gas.
Slade gets pissy when he has to wait. I’ll be lucky if he’s not gone by the time I get there, even though I sent a text before I left.
* * *
I dash from the car into the coffee shop. Slade’s at the far end of the room. I squeeze between tables and dodge people getting to him. He frowns.
“Sorry, I lost track of time.”
“Well, you almost lost track of me. I have shit to do. I can’t wait here all day for you.”
I let out a sigh. “I’m saying this with all the love I have for you as my friend and classmate: You need this study session. You leave, you lose.”
He pushes his papers across the table toward me. I plop into the chair next to him and read over the notes he’s made. I quiz him on the material for the upcoming exam.
After an hour, I hop up to grab us a couple of coffees. I set his cup in front of him, he looks up from hooded eyes. “So, have you talked to her?”
I shake my head. His shoulders droop, but only for a second. He stands, gathering his books. “Well, I need to go to work. I’ll call you later in the week; maybe we can get together right before the test?”
“Sure. And hey, it’s just a few more weeks and Rach’s coming home. When she does, don’t waste your time. She’ll only be here for a short time before she has to leave for school. And this time, don’t act like a jerk. That is not the way to a girl’s heart. Trust me on this.”
“Who says I’m after someone’s heart?” He gives me a quick grin and saunters out.
Poor guy. He’s got it bad. Of course, he won’t admit it. He just asks about her every now and then. I’m not sure what his deal is. He’s sizzling hot. With everything else, he seems to have no problem going after what he wants. Something about Rachel stifles him.
I do my best to focus all my energy on school and working at the shelter. There’s always a need for extra hands. And I really love playing with the little kids while their moms get job skill training.
Whenever Danny texts or calls, I tell him I’m studying.
I am studying. I’m also avoiding. But he doesn’t have to know that.
Most of my spare time, I hang out at the coffee shop. The less I’m home, the less chance I have of running into him. Of course, the more I stay away from him, the more I think about him and all the things we could be doing if we were together.
But no. Not a good idea.
My phone vibrates on the table. I answer, “Hey, Slade.”
“Got time to get together and study for that exam? I ended up with the afternoon off.”
“Sure thing. I’m at the coffee shop right now. Want to come here?”
“Actually, I’m on your side of town today, I’ve got my stuff, can we meet at your house?”
Dave and Charlotte don’t really like me to have boys over. But, it’s for school, so surely they’ll understand. “I’ll be home in fifteen.”
“I’ll meet you there.”
* * *
It takes two and a half hours, but I think Slade’s finally getting it. I hold my palm in the air; Slade looks at it as though I’ve lost my mind. I reach over and grab his forearm. “It’s called a high five. Works like this.”