Page 10 of Breaking the Ice

He still looks dubious but agrees to try it. As I explain the fraction lesson this time, we do different hand signs for each concept. And by the end of it, he can explain it back to me.

“That’s amazing!” His blue eyes are alight with joy. “You’re a great teacher, Isabella.”

“And you can be a great teacher, too, if you pay attention a little more. Stay awake in class tomorrow, okay?”

Evan groans. “It’s so boring, though.”

I shrug. “You’ve gotta be better than that. You can do this, if you’re willing to put in the hard work. If you can do it for hockey—which isn’t easy—you can do it for your coursework, too.”

Like my mom said, my dad wouldn’t put up with this guy if he was a slacker.

“Okay, fine. Will you keep tutoring me?”

“Not so fast.” I whip my script out of my bag. “It depends on how good of a scene partner you are.”

I admit, this wasn’t the waste of my time that I expected. I’m getting paid. I can tell my dad I’m helping his team. And maybe I can still memorize my lines tonight. I guess I could try it for a few weeks and see. Couldn’t hurt, right?

Chapter

Five

ISABELLA

Mom: How was tutoring the other night?

Isabella: Fine.

Mom: Really? That’s all I get?

Isabella: Not as bad as I thought. There. Are you happy now?

Mom: Ecstatic!

Against my will, my eyes are drawn to Evan as he saunters into the lecture hall. The moment he tosses his hair out of his face, a giggling blonde attaches herself to him.

“Evan, hi!” She clings to his arm as he blinks down at her. God, he’s tall. What’s it like to stand that close to him? Does she get a crick in her neck? Or does she feel petite?

“Um, hey there…” It’s clear he’s searching for her name as he scans the room for an open seat.

“Heidi,” she supplies. “You don’t remember? We went home together after the Delta Gamma mixer in August.”

“Oh, yeah, of course.” He smiles at her, gaze still vacant. “It’s, uh, good to see you again.”

“We’ve been in this class together all semester, silly!”

Evan stops in front of my desk and shifts his weight from foot to foot while Heidi leans closer. She drops her voice so it’s breathy and seductive. “I heard you’re looking for a study buddy. I’d be happy to volunteer my services. Again.”

It’s clear that she is offering way more than a study session—or at least it’s a study session that will end with her naked. I’m pretty sure I’m blushing just from overhearing her innuendo.

“That’s very kind of you.” Evan waves in my direction. “But I already have a tutor.”

“Fine.” Heidi glances up and down at me, her lip curling. “You and I could still hang out, though. Our own personal party. I’d be down for a repeat.”

He doesn’t say anything, just stares as she grabs his hand and clicks open a pen, writing something on his skin. Presumably her number.

She blows him a kiss and takes a seat as Dr. Burns dims the lights.

Evan slides into the open desk next to me with a wink. “Hey there.”