Next Man Up (Making the Score #2) - Tawdra Kandle Page 0,48
need that reminder again, but it might be cool to study together sometimes. I don’t know anyone else in the class, and I think it’s a good reinforcement to talk about the lectures or have someone read my papers before I turn them in.” His eyes flickered up to meet mine. “What do you think?”
I knew I should nip this right in the bud and tell him hell, no. There was nothing but heartache and angst in this direction. But despite all that, I found myself nodding.
“That might work.” I kept my tone neutral. “Now and then, I guess. When it’s convenient for both of us.”
Eli inclined his head. “Cool.” That was all he said, but behind his eyes, I thought I detected a hint of something that might have been triumph.
“Hey, Zel, toss me another candy bar.”
With an exaggerated sigh, I leaned down into the bag by my chair and felt around until I found the familiar shape of a Reeses. “Here you go. Catch.”
Sitting against a mound of pillows on his bed, Eli caught the candy in one swift movement of his right hand. “Thanks. See, I told you going trick or treating was a good idea. Here it is almost Thanksgiving, and we still have study snacks. You’re welcome.”
“I don’t think it was the trick or treating I objected to, bud. I think it was the costume you chose for me to wear.” I shook my head at the memory of the very brief, very tight nurse’s outfit Eli had presented me to wear on Halloween when he’d announced that he wanted to participate in Birch’s trick or treating party. “Being the sexy nurse to your wounded World War II soldier felt like I was being used.”
“Well, you were,” he admitted with a wide grin. “But not for my own kicks. It was all for the candy, Zelda. And it’s not like you haven’t benefitted, too. I share, don’t I?”
“Yeah, you do. So we’re both going to end up with rotten teeth, diabetes and a weight issue.” I turned back to face the desk and tried to figure out where I’d been reading, hoping that Eli couldn’t see the smile that refused to leave my face. He was honestly incorrigible. And he had a way of getting around me before I even knew I’d been out-maneuvered.
Take the fact that I was sitting here in his room right now. When I’d reluctantly consented to the occasional study session on the first day of classes, I’d thought maybe we’d meet in the library once or twice to discuss something for class. However, Eli had explained that it was easier to be in his room, where everything was set up for his needs, and I’d given in. Somehow—and I still wasn’t sure how this had happened, for the life of me—my vision of once or twice had morphed into three or four nights a week. I was spending more time with Eli Tucker than I did with my own roommates.
To be honest, the Shakespeare class was considerably more demanding than either of us had expected. It required a copious amount of nightly reading and frequent essays. Maybe it wasn’t unreasonable, then, that Eli and I ended up studying together more often than not.
“When are you leaving to go home?” Eli spoke with his mouth full of chocolate and peanut butter goodness, and I twisted around to look at him again, shaking my head.
“That’s disgusting. Don’t talk with candy in your mouth.”
“Sorry.” He swallowed and winked at me, totally unrepentant. “But answer the question. When are you leaving Birch?”
“Uh, I’m not entirely sure.” I toyed with the small silver star around my neck. “I could leave Friday night after class, but I might wait until Sunday, when they close the dorms.”
“How come?” His brow drew together. “I figured you’d want to get back to the farm and see your family. Do you have something to do here?”
“No.” I paused. Of everyone I knew here at Birch, ironically Eli was the only one who would understand what I could confide. He was still the only person who knew about my complicated history. “Lottie is going to be home next weekend, from Friday afternoon until Sunday.”
“Lottie?” He narrowed his eyes. “That’s your—well, your mother, right?”
“Yeah.” I turned to face Eli more fully, folding my legs up on the chair and resting my back against the edge of the desk. “She’s been in a long-term care facility since I started college. She’d gotten more