Page 41 of The Cheerleader

My heart nearly stops when I see his face pale. Nothing else about his expression changes—except maybe a slight tightening of his jaw.

He nods. Then he turns to me. “We’ll work something out.”

I nod. “I’ll be as flexible as you need me to be.” I’m referring to his schedule, but when I notice the slightest twitch in the corner of his mouth and the way his dark eyes dance as he stares at me, I realize he’s not thinking of my flexibility the same way I am.

A chill runs over me—not the cold kind. Sure enough, I find myself heating up deep inside. This is really weird and not something I’ve ever felt before—not that I’m worldly and experienced when it comes to guys—or men. Because Bryan Granger seems a lot like a full-grown man to me.

Professor Yardley nods. “Good. I’ll bring the materials to class in two days.” She gathers up her papers. I half expect her to ride off on a broom.

I don’t know what to say to Bryan or what to do, but my legs are smart and they automatically take me to the nearest door of the classroom. Bryan’s right there beside me.

We walk together out of the building, where I breathe in the fresh air before I pluck one of the random thoughts spinning in my head from the unexpected talk with our terrible professor.

“You have a dirty mind.” Shit. Of all things to say first, that’s what comes out? I smirk to temper the comment so I don’t sound like I’m scolding him.

“How do you figure?” He raises a brow in challenge. “You mean how you’re teasing me with your comment about being flexible? a I’m not a hundred percent sure if he’s teasing. He’s so hard to read, but I take a chance.

“You’re teasing me.” I grin, my tension easing. Maybe this won’t be so bad.

“You’re easy to tease,” he says, but there’s still no hint of a smile.

“I’m sorry the professor forced you into having me tutor you⁠—”

“She didn’t force me. I need a tutor.”

I wait futilely for him to say more, maybe something positive. But then why should he encourage me since I jumped in and volunteered with cheerleader-like enthusiasm?

“Was that true what she said? About all the girls on campus clamoring for you?”

He stops walking and looks at me, forcing me to stop abruptly, and I stumble back. He grabs my arm to steady me. His hand, large and hot and tight, feels like a brand, like he’s taking control. I should, but I don’t pull away from him as I regain my balance.

I stare, prepared to wait him out for his answer.

“Why does it matter?”

Another rhetorical question that I feel compelled to answer. “If I’m going to work with you, help you, I think I should know⁠—”

“You think I owe you something?”

Not rhetorical, but it’s hard to answer, to admit that I’m wrong. Because he’s right.

“Never mind. It’s none of my business.”

He snorts and starts walking again. “You’ll find out for yourself one way or another if Yardly’s right about all the girls lining up.”

“When we have the first football game. That should tell me something.” I smile at him because I’m teasing, not because I’m flirting.

“Why are you a cheerleader?”

“Why not?” I’m aware it’s a juvenile answer, but I have nothing better, not really. I can’t say it’s because Liz dragged me into it and I let her because I felt I owed her.

He doesn’t comment but raises one brow in challenge, not letting me off the hook.

“It’s fun… I… wanted to have some friendly faces, people who I know on this giant campus.” Shrugging, I turn away in near embarrassment before I start insisting there’s nothing wrong with wanting to belong to a group. I stop short of telling him they’re my new sorority, my sisterhood.

“Afraid to be alone on a campus full of fourteen thousand students?”

Anger sparks. “Why should I be afraid? I’ve been alone my whole life. I’m an only child.”