Free Tutor Me by Hope Stillwater

certainly act.
    At that moment arms encircled me from behind. Bryce leaned down and placed a soft kiss on my neck, before looking up at Seb over my shoulder. “Hi. I’m Jenny’s boyfriend Bryce. Who are you?” Bryce’s voice was thick with alpha male territorialism and Seb took a step back.
    “Her ex” he said flatly. “So, see you later Jenny.” He barely made eye contact as he said it. I knew him well enough to know he was pissed.
    “Buh bye,” I called out, my hands resting on Bryce’s forearms, now wrapped around my waist. Bryce was chuckling.
    When he was out of sight Lacey muttered “Arrogant prick. That was fun.”
    “Thanks Lacey. You should add acting to your many talents.”
    She laughed but then gave me a thoughtful glance as we walked off the football field. “If Drama wasn’t social death at this school I would do it.”
    Bryce interjected, “Drama is full of weirdos. Do not go there.”
    “I know, I know. Too bad.” She gave a small smile. “See you guys later at Kai’s?”
    Bryce and I nodded, his arm over my shoulder as we walked to the parking lot. I felt elated after Seb’s dressing down. I knew he’d be scouring his brain trying to work out who I could have been crushing on while we went out.
    At my car, I put my arms around Bryce’s waist. “Thanks for putting my ex in his place.”
    “Trust me, kissing you on the neck is my pleasure.” He looked uncharacteristically bashful suddenly. “And you know how I kind of exaggerated things a bit and said I was your boyfriend? I know we just started dating but I’m really into you and I hope we can take it to that level soon. Physically too.”
    He slipped his hand over my breast, apparently for emphasis. People were all around us so I took his wrist and pulled his hand away. But I felt so grateful for how he’d been in front of Seb, and proud of this hot popular guy who wanted me, that I wrapped my hand around the back of his head and pulled him down for a kiss.
    That night at Kai’s party Bryce got my bra off.
     

Chapter 9
     
    Where was he? I glanced over once again at Callum’s empty seat. Ferguson was handing the quizzes back and Callum had cut class.
    “Well done, Miss Bartholomew.” Mr. F placed the quiz face down on my desk. I flipped it over to see the grade, confirming the expected A, but my mind was elsewhere. Obviously Callum wasn’t on the edge of his seat about the outcome. Now he – and I- would have to wait till tomorrow to find out the result. I kicked myself for my stupidity in thinking about this guy so much. This bet meant nothing to him, he barely knew I existed, so why was I wasting my time obsessing over it when I had a gorgeous guy willing to kiss me anytime I wanted? I bit the inside of my mouth to calm down and to will myself to forget Callum.
    I was pulled out of my thoughts by Mr. F again. “I see Mr. Caldwell has not graced us with his presence today. Miss Bartholomew, as his tutor, can you convey the results to him?” He dropped Callum’s quiz on my desk. Mr. F distributed the remaining quizzes, weaving between the desks, while I stared at the back of Callum’s quiz for a moment before tentatively turning it over. A- in red was scrawled across the top. I smiled involuntarily, pleased for him and myself. Now what about the bet? A- meant he had won. When would he collect, if at all? Mr. F was still talking, going over the quiz answers, but I didn’t hear any of it. If I texted Callum to tell him his grade, would I seem too desperate? No, that was ridiculous. If I had a tutor and they were given my quiz I would want them to let me know as soon as possible what my grade was. It was just a courtesy. Geez why did it have to be so loaded, though? I decided I would text him, but I didn’t want to seem too eager so I waited until I got home. I got inside, plopped down on the couch, and pulled out my phone. My hands were sweaty with nerves as I texted him.
    Mr. F gave me your quiz
    I knew I should just