Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 127146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 636(@200wpm)___ 509(@250wpm)___ 424(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 636(@200wpm)___ 509(@250wpm)___ 424(@300wpm)
She wrinkles her nose in disgust but takes it. I help her sit comfortably and shift the pillows around to support her. When I take my seat again, she's sipping the drink slowly, a little at a time. It will take her forever to get through it, but by then, the chocolate ones will be cold, and maybe I can force her to drink another one.
"Baby," she says, pulling me from the scheming in my head. "Where are you getting the money for all of this?"
It's not the first time she's asked me, but it's the first time she's been so direct, meeting my gaze, her forehead wrinkling in concern.
I sit back in the chair and sigh. "Tutoring, odd jobs, the same as always."
She tilts her head, her lips turning into a wry smile. "How are you tutoring when you've been here more than school? I know these protein shakes aren't cheap, so..."
I shrug. "What do you want me to say, Mom? I'm tutoring a high-profile kid at school. He asked for my services specifically, so that's what I'm doing. I charge more to just tutor him. It's basically almost a full-time income for less than part-time work.”
"Why would someone pay that for your exclusive tutoring services? What does he really want from you?"
I throw up my hands and let them fall to my lap. "I don't know. He's rich. He likes his time to be private, and I don't know, maybe he's spoiled and thinks he'll do better if he has me all to himself."
Her eyes narrow. "So he wants—"
"To pass his chemistry exams, that's it."
Her gaze slides away. "Men like that...they expect things sometimes. Did you plainly have him spell out what he wants? Wait...what’s his name?"
His voice in my head says, "You. Belong. To me."
I gulp and give her a wide smile. Maybe too wide. "He doesn't want anything but a tutor, Mom. I promise. Let's talk about you and the new drugs they are going to start you on. I want to make sure I'm here for you, whatever you need. Oh, and his name is Drew. Not that I think you’d know him or anything."
Her shoulders slump, just like they always do when I bring up the trial drugs. I can't stand the defeat on her face, so I stand, grab the dusting cloths from the kitchen, and start to run it over the shelves of knickknacks. "It's okay, Mom. It'll be okay."
I'm chattering at her and refusing to look at her. As long as she gets that look off her face, I'll be able to look at her again in a little bit.
I keep cleaning since I won't be able to hire a cleaning lady anytime soon. It's another thing that's easy I can do while she's recovering, focusing on getting better.
"Are you seeing anyone?" Her question comes out of nowhere, causing me to drop the cloth and the knickknack I’m polishing. “Maybe this Drew?”
"What?" I sputter as I snatch it off the floor. "Where did that come from?"
When I glance over my shoulder, her eyes twinkle, her smile showing teeth. She looks like Mom again, and my heart jerks hard against my ribs.
"I want grandkids one day. You have to meet someone to make that happen. A lot of women meet Mr. Right in college."
I snort and mutter under my breath. "More like Mr. Doesn't Take No for An Answer."
"What was that?"
"Nothing. No, I'm not really seeing anyone. Not permanently anyway. I went on a date a while back, but it didn't go as planned, so...yeah." She definitely doesn't need to know I was almost drugged…or worse.
"Well, maybe the next one will go better, but it’s probably best to stay away from that boy you're tutoring. It's not a great idea to mix work and romance."
I finish cleaning and then turn back to face her. "I have to get back to campus. Anything you need before I go?"
She shakes her head. "I got it. Thank you."
"Seriously, if you want me to come back, just send me a text or call. I don't have a heavy class load at the moment."
Her eyes narrow a minute, but she gives me a nod and holds her arms open for a hug. "There are still some things we need to talk about, baby. I know you aren't ready, but it still needs to happen. We need to prepare, just in case."
It's on the tip of my tongue to deny and say no again, but if it makes her feel better to be prepared, then we'll do it. Then I'll say I told you so after the fact.
I hug her tight and head back to campus. Light traffic means I'm back in the dorm in record time.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, but I ignore it as I jog up the stairs into the suite.