AFTER MATH by Denise Grover Swank

Author:Denise Grover Swank [Swank, Denise Grover]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-03-11T04:00:00+00:00

***

I call in sick to the math lab, and go home with the intention of studying. Instead, I lie on the bed and take a nap. When I wake up an hour later, I’m still depressed, but my head has cleared enough for me to study.

Caroline comes home and finds me in my room, huddled over my desk. “Why aren’t you at work?”

I offer her a grim smile. “I have a big test tomorrow. I need to study so I called in sick.”

Her eyes widen. “You called in sick when you’re not?”

I offer her a teasing smile, but I’m sure she can see it’s forced. “Maybe you don’t know me as well as you think you do.”

“Apparently not. I just found out from Tina that Tucker beat up Daniel in The Higher Ground yesterday.” She’s upset that I didn’t tell her. It’s thinly veiled, but there all the same.

“Tucker did not beat up Daniel. It was one punch.”

She throws up her hands. “Only one punch? But it was over you, right?”

I sigh in exasperation. “What do you want me to say, Caroline? Daniel was making rude statements about me, and Tucker overheard.”

“But Tuck—”

“Let’s get this out in the open: No, I’m not going on another date with Daniel. No, Tucker and I aren’t seeing each other. In fact, this afternoon, I quit being his tutor.” I tilt my head to the side. “Now is there anything else you want to know?” I don’t know why I’m taking my anger out on her. None of this is Caroline’s fault.

She sags against the door frame, offering me a sad smile. “Is it true Tucker’s brother came to see you yesterday?”

Tina and her big freaking mouth. “Yes, but it doesn’t matter one way or the other. I quit, remember?”

“Yeah,” she says softly. “How are you doing with all of this? That’s a lot for you to deal with.”

“I’m fine.” I look down at my desk. “I just need to concentrate on this test tomorrow.”

“Are you hungry? I can make you some mac and cheese.”

I release a soft laugh. Comfort food. “Yeah. Thanks.”

She hangs on the door jamb, kneading her lower lip with her teeth. “I’m sorry about Daniel.”

I don’t look up. “It’s not your fault. Nothing for you to be sorry about.”

“But I pushed you…” Her voice trails off.

I lift my eyes to hers. “You didn’t know. And we both know how resistant I am to trying new situations. I need you to push me sometimes. If Daniel had been great, I would have thanked you for it later.”

After she leaves the room, I find a groove working the problems on my study guide. I stay up to three in the morning, studying. I hope it’s enough. My concentration is off and my mind keeps wandering to this afternoon. If I close my eyes I can feel Tucker’s arms wrapped around me, not that it matters. Tucker let me go.

I suppose it’s better to find out now. Before my heart is broken anymore.

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