Page 48 of Taking Sides

When you put it that way I don’t sound nearly as supportive

Me

Are you a coffee person?

Whitney

Not really. I prefer tea.

Me

What’s your standard tea order?

Whitney

I like to try different things, depending on my mood, but my most frequently ordered drink is a chai latte. You?

Me

Café Americano with a splash of half-and-half and one stevia.

I take a photo of my coffee, then send it to her. Over the past week, our schedules haven’t lined up to see each other, but nearly every day we’ve chatted. Everything from a few texts to a solid hour of back and forth. It’s easier for me this way, not looking at her as we talk. Especially since the only way I’m able to manage in person is if we’re naked.

Whitney

At the rink?

Me

Yeah. Just walked in for practice. How’s school?

Whitney

In my first period Algebra II class, two people fell asleep and my second period is taking a test right now and half of them are staring blankly at their laptop screens.

Me

So it’s going great then?

Whitney

Soooo good. I’m molding young minds.

Me

Is this a bad time to admit I hated high school math?

Whitney

*gasp* All of it?

Me

Pretty much but especially algebra.

Whitney

Wow . . . I could handle the whole you beating Houston thing, but this might be unforgiveable.