Stanley scoffs, and like a magician, he suddenly lifts the posterboard that has the main house rule on it. “Do you know how to read, Reeve?” He pops his head over the top. “I think you do, sir, but your comprehension is shit. Read it with me. Do Not––”
“Fuck off, Stan. I’m trying to talk to Percy.”
He puts the poster down just a couple of inches and says, “I just want to know why we’re still talking about the damn tutor. Are you falling for her?”
“The fuck?” I look around at everyone. “I’m just letting everyone know that he has to change the recipe.”
“Change the recipe?” Stanley laughs, grating on my nerves. “She doesn’t even come to parties.”
“She does now,” I say back, staring right at him.
Stanley cackles. “Then read the fucking Hawthorne House rules with me, Reeve.” He points to them on the whiteboard. They’re written in Sharpie, so it’s permanent. “There are rules in this house for a reason. We don’t need to change the recipe. And you just need to get your dick wet. Don’t fall in love.”
Percy says, “I can start making two different punches.”
“He’ll start making two punches.”
I look over at Blue, who’s watching this unfold.
“Two punches?” I ask Percy.
He nods once.
I walk over to Stanley and stare him right in the eye. “Back off about these rules. She’s just my tutor and my sister’s best friend. Got it?”
Stanley stares back at me. “Got it, cap.”
I turn and walk to the couch. I turn his stupid game off and flick it to hockey. I clench my jaw, trying to figure out how I’m going to get Lucy to come to the party tomorrow night.
Chapter 16
Lucy
ThatconversationwithBensonhas me smiling to myself like an idiot. I pull my jacket tighter without thinking about it. I know I’m almost home when the smell of broth drifts through the air.
I need to keep the giddy feeling to myself, or Gianna’s going to know something’s up. I’m not ready to tell her what happened on Friday because I’ve barely processed it myself. When I walk in, she’s on the couch with Mara eating straight out of the ice cream tub.
“You’re home!”
Mara turns with the spoon in her mouth. “You came at the perfect time. It’s getting really good. Grab a spoon.”
I look at the TV when they turn back around. As if on cue, one of the girls on Love Island starts crying. I drop my bag in mybedroom, grab a spoon, and plop next to Mara. They hand over the tub, and I take a large scoop. The creaminess touches my tongue, and I hum.
“How’s my brother?” Gianna asks.
I keep my voice nonchalant as I answer, “He really doesn’t need a tutor.”
“Maybe when he brings his grade up, he can talk to Coach about canceling the sessions. Are you still tutoring those two other people?”
I nod. “Yeah. Those are a lot more effort. I talk and teach so much more in those sessions.”
Mara jokes, “What are you doing in the ones with Benson? Staring at him?”
Gianna glares at me like there’s some truth to what she’s saying.
I elbow Mara softly for teasing and take the tub of ice cream out of her arms. “No. He does his work, and I have time to work on mine.” I scoop a big load on my spoon.
Gianna says, “So, it’s like a study group but just the two of you.”
