“Looking at me won’t get you the C you need.”
“But studying with you will.”
“Let’s get one thing straight right now.” Kathryn raked her fingers through her feathered hair. “We aren’t studying together. I’m teaching, you’re learning. There’s nothing magical about sitting here with a student who knows math. You aren’t going to learn through osmosis, Brett. You need to take an active part in this process.”
“Yeah, yeah. Whatever.”
Kathryn stood and gathered her books. “I’m leaving.”
She was halfway to the door when a warm hand gripped her elbow.
“Please. Don’t go. I need you. Really.”
She turned. This would be so much easier if he weren’t so damn good-looking. Every teenage girl’s fantasy. “You’ve got a funny way of showing it.”
“I’m sorry. Most girls like it when I tell them they’re pretty.”
“Most girls didn’t get tormented by you in middle school.”
His high cheekbones reddened. Had she actually embarrassed him?
“I was hoping you didn’t remember that.”
“Not remember that?” She shook her head. “You really think I can forget being told I’m ugly on a daily basis? Being made fun of in gym class at every opportunity? Being tripped in the hallway?” Kathryn closed her eyes and inhaled. Deeply. Never let them see you cry.
She opened her eyes and met Brett’s dark gaze straight on. He bit his bottom lip.
“I didn’t think you cared. You never said anything.”
“Oh. So you would have stopped if I’d given a damn? If I’d cried my eyes out for you? Is that what you wanted?”
“No. I mean…” He sighed. “Aw, hell. I don’t know what I mean. I was a punk, okay? A stupid kid. I honestly didn’t think I was hurting you. I honestly didn’t think you cared. I’m sorry.”
An apology from Brett Falcone? What’s more, it even sounded sincere. For a moment, elation speared through Kathryn, until she realized he needed her. He was just trying to get her to tutor him so he could get his grade up and play freaking baseball. That’s all this was. A forced apology. An act.
She could act as well as the next person. “Fine. You’re right. I didn’t care, and I don’t care now. Frankly, I don’t care if you flunk out of high school and never play baseball again. But I made a deal with Mr. Phillips and I, unlike you, am a person of honor and integrity. I keep my bargains. So I accept your apology. Now let’s get down to business.”
Brett took a seat and smiled. Though she didn’t want it to, her gaze gravitated to his full red lips, his perfect white teeth, that cute dimple on his left cheek. The heavens had wasted so much charm and good looks on this boy. If only he had a kind heart to go with it all.
“You are a fox, you know,” he said.
She rolled her eyes. “If you say so. Now, tell me what you’re working on in class.”
Chapter Three
“They seem to get along well,” Brett said, as he handed Kathryn her vanilla milkshake.
Zoe and Maya had already clamored to the tot lot. Brett carried the girls’ and his own shakes to a table. He waited for Kathryn to sit before he sat down across from her. Always the gentleman, Brett Falcone. That had surprised Kathryn when she first found out.
“So how is Michelle?” she asked, taking a sip of the thick shake.
“She’s good.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
“We’re not together anymore.”
Kathryn swallowed quickly to avoid choking on the creamy, smooth shake. “Oh. I’m sorry.”