“The usual. Saturday was spent nannying. Little Kai has started to babble my name and it’s thecutestthing ever. Truly love that kid. Sunday was spent working on a paper.”
“You’re really living the wild life aren’t you? It wouldn’t kill you to go out once in a while,” she teases.
“True. Nothing beats dusty, overcrowded frat basements.”
“Is this semester any less busy for you than the previous one?”
“That would be a negative. But such is being a student at Westchester. I’m used to it at this point.”
Violet opens her mouth before hesitating. Instead of continuing she shakes her head.
“What is it?”
“I feel bad asking you, given how spread thin you already are…” She bits her lip.
“Just ask me. I can always say no.”But would you?I ignore the voice in my head and give Violet a reassuring smile.
“I know you decided to take a break from tutoring this semester but there’s a student in my class who is in desperate need of one. And you’re the best.”
I had initially decided to put a pause on tutoring to free up some time in my schedule for the additional courses I was taking to knock out some of my creative writing requirements. At one point my advisor suggested dropping my double major, but I couldn’t imagine that. I’d chosen psychology because I loved learning about people, but also because the job prospects seemed a lot more stable than being a novelist. Despite the part of me that was a realist, I refused to fully give up on my second dream — writing murder mystery novels, with a proper dose of romance.
Which meant the tutoring gig was on the back burner, even though I loved it. I was addicted to that moment when you couldseethe lightbulb moment in your mentee’s eyes. Theelation when they finally see their grades improving. It never failed to make my heart overflow with joy. Thinking back on those moments makes me reconsider taking a break. “I should have room to take on one client. I can just cut back on some of my nannying hours, which should be fine since I can still get paid through the tutoring center.”
“Are you sure? I’d hate to add more to your plate.”
“Yup. I’ll make it happen, don't worry about it.” As a people pleaser herself, Violet knew hearing someone was in need was my kryptonite. It was frankly impossible for me to say no at this point.
“I have to warn you…This student is a little rough around the edges. Tutoring is his only option to stay on the hockey team, not something that he personally is choosing to do. He’s already attempted to bribe three other tutors and if another one quits on him, the tutoring center will put him on probation.”
I’d worked with lots of student athletes before without any issues, but as a hockey fan myself I knew the team on campus viewed themselves as celebrities. The kind that didn’t need to work for their grades. I would need to keep my guard up with whoever my new tutee was.
“He’s not the first athlete I’ve had to tutor.” I shrug. “Plus, I love challenges. I do appreciate the warning though.”
“If he does end up giving you any trouble, even a hint of it, let me know and I’ll figure something else out.”
“Will do. Don’t worry Vi, I’ll whip him into shape.” I wink. I’ve dealt with cocky athletes before, and given he was at risk of being benched, he was stuck with me. Whether he liked it or not.
Chapter 4
Jake
Admittedly my initial attempt to fix my grade (demanding Violet change my grade and lying to my assistant coach about how she had been failing me for no reason) was not my brightest idea. I could’ve just told Mason the truth. If anyone would’ve understood prioritizing hockey it would’ve been him, but alas I couldn’t keep my big mouth shut.
Which ultimately led me here— stuck in an incredibly awkward and tense meeting where my coach and TA try to figure out what to do with me. I had assumed they didn’t know each other but the longer I sat in the room with them the more I felt like there is some weird history there. Mason’s longing glances in her direction every 30 seconds, and Violet’s attempt to barely acknowledge his presence had my hook-up-gone-wrong alarm sounding. Great. Just what I needed. One more reason for Violet to hate me.
“With the urgency of the situation, and everyone’s strong desire to help Jake get back on track—” Violet emphasizes the last bit in a not-so-subtle dig at how I claimed she didn’t careabout her students. Alright fine. It was a dickish thing to say. But I hated it when people felt sorry for me and looked at me like I was helpless. I hated it even more when I felt pitied.
“I think we should start Jake’s first tutoring session next week. I already have the perfect person lined up who has agreed to help.”
Violet’s words snap me back into the present. “Waitwhat?I’m not getting a tutor.” It was bad enough that my coaches and Violet knew I was struggling. Now a complete stranger had to know too? “Not happening.”
“Jake,” Mason starts, his eyes pleading with me to listen. “There’s no other option. We need to get your grades up.”
I turn my attention to Violet. “Can’t I just promise to study some more? And do that extra credit you offered?”
“Unfortunately, even with the extra credit assignment, if you don’t start improving your homework grades significantly, and get at least a B on the final, you won’t pass the class.”
“This is a fucking nightmare,” I groan, dragging my hands over my face.
