Next Man Up (Making the Score #2) - Tawdra Kandle Page 0,70
say, the girls are right. If that girl had been any more into you, she would’ve been sitting on your lap. I think she’s giving you the signal. Now you just have to decide if you’re going to pick up on it.”
Eli shrugged. “I don’t see it.”
“The real question, Tuck, is whether or not you’d actually make a move.” Gia rested her chin in her hand. “You haven’t had a girlfriend since . . . um, since you’ve been at Birch, right?”
“If you were going to say since I’ve been in a wheelchair, you’d be right. Actually, I haven’t had a girlfriend since I was in junior high.” A sly smirk spread over his face. “In the traditional sense of the word, I mean.”
“Yes, I’m sure.” Quinn’s tone was dry. “But maybe it’s time to try something new and novel. A girlfriend might be just what you need now.” She slid me a side-eye. “I was having this same conversation with Zelda earlier. She told me I have to leave her alone and stop pushing her to try a relationship, and I promised I’d respect that. But you, Tuck—” She sent him a wicked smile. “You are fair game.”
“Hey, why does Zel get a pass and I don’t?” He narrowed his eyes. “I don’t think that’s right.”
“It’s a chick thing.” Nate nodded. “Sorry, Tuck. There are some things you just can’t fight, and this is one of them.”
Our dessert and coffee arrived then. Unfortunately, the cannoli I’d been so excited to enjoy now didn’t appeal at all.
“Hey, want some of this?” I nudged the plate toward Quinn. “I’m not as hungry as I thought I was.”
She frowned. “Are you okay? I’ve never seen you turn down cannoli. Or even offer to share one.” She pretended to check me for fever. “Do you feel sick?”
I batted her hand away. “Stop. I’m just not in the mood anymore.”
Quinn studied me. “I’m sorry. Let’s get the checks so we can be ready to leave when Gia and Nate are finished with the desserts.” She lifted her hand to wave to our server.
I was aware that Eli was staring at me, but I didn’t lift my eyes to meet his. Right now, I just wanted to get back to my room and crawl into bed. Alone.
The broodiness that began at the end of our dinner that night lasted for the next week. I couldn’t seem to shake the restless feeling that I wasn’t happy anymore with my life as I knew it. I didn’t know what to change, though. Classes were going well, and I was looking forward to my summer internship. As much as I wasn’t excited about Matt being in New Jersey, I wasn’t unhappy about Gia and I moving into the apartment that we’d share with Quinn come the fall.
I’d spoken to Grammy recently and regularly, so I knew everyone in Lancaster was fine. I wasn’t homesick.
That left only one aspect of my life, but I really didn’t feel like dissecting my sex life or examining too closely why I’d been avoiding Eli since the night at Santori’s.
I was lying on my bed, staring up at the ceiling. Grammy would say I was wallowing, and she would be right. My homework was done. The suite was empty because Gia had gone to a party, and Quinn had driven to the shore to spend the weekend with her mom. Nate and his family were going to be there, too; since Quinn would be down in Carolina this summer with Leo, she was trying to log some quality time with her mother—and Nate, too, I suspected—before she left town.
My phone buzzed, and with a sigh that sounded suspiciously self-pitying, I flipped it over to read the screen.
Eli: Hey, you busy?
I hesitated before replying. I’d been almost expecting his text, both dreading it and afraid it wouldn’t come. For the past four months, every time one or the other of us had an empty room, we’d ended up together—in bed. With Nate away, Eli was alone.
Finally, I typed out my response.
Zelda: Not really.
Eli: I’m working on my take-home essay for poli sci. It could use another set of eyes. Would you mind taking a look?
I vacillated. I knew what Eli was asking; he was using the excuse of needing help with a paper to get me over to his dorm. I could play it one of two ways. I could pretend to think he only wanted a proofreader and suggest that he email me