Page 86 of The Assist
A look around the tutor center reveals intrigued, if a bit annoyed, glances from the tutor stations. The commotion has disrupted any chance of concentration. “Well, looks like I have my work cut out for me. You gonna stick around and make sure they don’t sneak out?”
“Nah. I gotta do some studying.” He turns and raises his voice so the guys in line can hear him. “But I’ll stop by later and get a full report on how it went.”
I roll my eyes. “Get out of here, Reynolds.”
Surprisingly, the guys are good sports. A few of them even take it seriously. And when the last ball player walks out the door, there’s a new line that’s formed. Gotta give the jocks props for that. Where they go, others follow.
Wes shows up as the tutor center is closing for the night. The last students are packing their bags and the tutors are tidying up the room. I lean back in my chair, completely spent.
Every eye in the tutor center follows his path from door to my desk.
“Got time for one more?”
I sit forward and narrow my eyes. I can’t tell if he’s serious or not. One side of his mouth pulls into a smile. “Then how about dinner instead?”
“I, uh . . .” I trip over my tongue. What even are words? Did he just ask me on a date? “Sure. Let me just grab my things.”
Silently, Wes leads me to University Hall. We order food and then take a table in the far corner. “Brought you something,” Wes says as he slides me a small gift covered in Christmas paper. On top is a handmade origami bow made from a Chewy Spree wrapper.
Nice touch, Reynolds.
“It’s a little belated. I didn’t get a chance to give it to you that night . . .” His words hold a hint of sadness.
“I see you got mine.” I point to his gray T-shirt, and he looks down proudly at the black bold letters:Smart is the new jock.
“Open yours,” he says and winks.
I tear open the paper to find a flat, rectangular box. My throat goes dry. I’m not prepared for whatever is in this jewelry box. I pry open the top slowly and hold my breath as I reveal the bracelet inside. It’s similar to the ones Gabby and I make out of colored embroidery thread, but there are only two colors—orange and purple. My and his favorites. My heart thumps wildly in my chest as I lift it and study the letter beads that twist around the braided thread.BLESS
“No way,” I say in complete disbelief. “Where did you get this?”
“I, uh, may have commissioned it?”
I lift a brow.
“Gabby,” he says, looking a little guilty.
“Gabby was in on this?” I inspect the bracelet and see her in the smooth braid, the neat knots at either end. I can’t believe she kept this a secret. “I love it. Thank you.”
“I have one other gift. Though, it isn’t from me.”
I narrow my gaze, intrigued. “Okay. Who’s it from? Did you get Vanessa to write me a poem?”
He shakes his head. “Let’s call it a gift from the university. David was expelled today.”
All the air leaves my lungs as he continues.
“The campus police received several anonymous tips leading them to him, and when he was questioned, he folded. All the evidence was on his laptop anyway.”
“He’s gone,” I whisper. I expected to feel better, but the damage is already done. I’m glad I won’t have to see him, but I guess I’d already eradicated him from my life.
“You know, if you pressed charges, he could be charged with a felony. Laws in Arizona are strict about this kind of thing.”
A nervous laugh escapes at the scary expression on his face. Wes is pissed and ready to see David pay. Me too. “I haven’t decided what to do yet. I made an appointment with a counselor for later this week and I need to tell my parents. That’s going to be hard.”
His jaw flexes before he speaks. “I’m really sorry I didn’t stop this from happening. I failed you in so many ways.”
The loyalty of this man never ceases to amaze me. “David’s crimes aren’t yours. It’s not on you. I just want to move on. I let him hold me back for too long. Whatever I decide to do, it’s going to be about me – what’s best for me. Part of me thinks I just want to be free of him, but I don’t know if I could live with myself if I don’t see this through and make sure he never has the opportunity to do this to someone else.”
