Page 22 of Of Flesh & Bone

"Math skills."

"Yeah.Depending on their level of understanding, I teach anywhere from 3rd to 12th grade level math concepts.At the beginning of the year, I met a 13-year-old boy who could understand a lot of abstract algebra.I suspect he was a genius, but the testing resources just weren't available."

This incredible woman.Not only is she possibly the most selfless person that I've ever met, but now I'm certain that she did get the right answer on that damn dry-erase board.The thing is, she didn't write anything down.Her paper was blank, and every time I looked at her, I saw that she was staring at the equation on the board.There's no way that she solved that problem in her head.It was one of the most complicated equations I've ever seen.She'd have to be a genius.

The dry-erase board is another mystery.Why didn't she just go to the front and tell him her answer?Why have I never noticed her in class?Better yet, why did she stay through the whole class when she had clearly been dismissed?And what's with the hoodie?That class is a little on the warmer side and she wasn't just wearing the hoodie.She had the hood up, using it like a shield.Like a shield.She doesn't want to be noticed.It's the same reason that she's come out here.There were too many people inside.Too much going on.She came out here where it was quiet, and she could be alone.She must have been so uncomfortable, but she still didn't leave me.She stayed.

Whatever I felt for this girl just took a Viagra with a Red Bull chaser and grew wings.I lean my head back onto the headrest and scrub my face with my hands.This is not what was meant to happen here.I wanted to make her uncomfortable, figure her out, and teach her a lesson.I still intend to figure her out, but I never want her to be uncomfortable again.Oh, and I will teach her so many lessons.We will both enjoy the education.

"Let's go."

"To your car?"

"Why didn't you tell me that you were coming out here?I thought you left."

"I did.I texted you."

I look at my phone and see her text.

Wildcat:I'm waiting for you outside.

"Take me to my car."

She doesn't say a word as she puts the car in gear and drives back to the library.

CHAPTER 8

Eve

When Adam told me totake him to his car, I thought that we would go our separate ways once we got there, but he told me to follow him back to Eden House.When we pulled back up, he told me to get in.I tried to protest, but he made the point that he doesn't classify as a stranger now that he's had both of my nipples in his mouth.He's such a jackass.So here we are in his car, sitting in front of the detention center.

"It's not too late to back out.You can drop me off, and I can Uber home."

He looks at me like I'm an unruly child.

"You will not be Ubering anywhere.Are you trying to get abducted?"

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