Chapter 19
Tip nineteen; don't be afraid to experiment.
Ivy
I slide into the seat across from Charlie just as she's lifting her coffee, nearly making her jump out of her skin.
Her head snaps up, eyes wide, mouth open for half a second before she exhales hard and laughs, shoulders dropping.
"Jesus, Ivy," she says. "Warn a girl."
I grin, nudging the second cup I hold toward her. "You looked like you needed another."
She takes it gratefully, wrapping both hands around the cup like she's grounding herself. "God, I love you. You're the best."
I tilt my head, studying her. "You okay? You're a little jumpy."
She laughs, but it cuts off too quickly. "Yeah. Just...yeah. I'm fine. My manager decided today was the day she was going to change my shift with zero warning." She rolls her eyes, groaning under her breath.
"Can they do that?" I take a sip. "And sorry I'm late, lost track of time getting ready."
She shakes her head, dark hair falling into her blue eyes. She brushes the strands back behind her ear. "It's fine. And I don't know? Nobody ever complains when she does so maybe? I don't have the energy to deal with it though."
Before I can respond, my phone vibrates on the table. I glance at the screen and see Asher's name flash across it. Quickly, I place the phone back, screen down, not wanting to be caught texting Charlie's brother in front of her.
She slumps in her seat, eyes dropping to her cup. She stirs it slowly, once, twice, like she's working up to something.
I lean forward. "Hey. What's up?"
She opens her mouth.
My phone vibrates again, then a third time. Charlie's eyes flick to the phone. "Is that important? Do you need to get it?"
I shake my head, trying to sound casual. "No, it's just Leon."
The lie tastes wrong.
She leans forward slightly, elbows resting on the table. "Leon? What did he want?"
I frown slightly and shrug. "Probably something to do with the team meeting tonight." I roll my eyes. "You know my brother, everything he does is centred around hockey."
Charlie nods, biting her lip. "Yeah, of course."
I watch her for a moment, sensing something is off. "Are you sure you're okay? You seem really distracted."
"No, yeah. Can I talk to you about something?"
"What is it?"
Charlotte inhales. "So . . . the other night-"
My phone vibrates again.
I wince. "Sorry."
"It's okay," she says quickly, too quickly. "It's not urgent. I just-"
I shove my phone under the table. "I'm listening."
"After you left the party, I got a little drunk and I-" she stops when another vibration sets off and I cringe.
Charlottes eyes move to her phone, widening. "Shit, I'm meant to be at work." She rushes up, grabbing her stuff. "I'm so sorry, can I call you later? There's just, something I need to talk to you about."
The way she says it makes my stomach dip.
"Yeah, are you sure you're okay?"
She nods.
I watch her rush out of the cafe. I've never seen Charlotte so frazzled. She's usually so calm and collected, so put together.
It's only when I turn back to the table I realise she left behind both of her coffees.
I pick up my phone, quickly glancing over the notifications to see Asher had text about tutoring at the library and then his third message brings a smile to my face.
actual tutoring Ivy, get your mind out of the gutter.
· · ·
I sit at the library table, textbooks and notes spread out in front of me, trying to focus on the material. But Asher is beside me, and I can't help but think back to the last time we were together.
What had it meant? Was it just part of the deal or was it more?
I shake my head, clearing my mind of the confusing questions plaguing me.
No, he said there was one rule. We couldn't fall in love. It's just part of the deal, even if the lines do feel a little blurred right now. I need to focus on tutoring him. That was the deal; I help him with school, and he helps me navigate . . . everything else.
A knee brushes mine under the table, my attention instantly zeroing in on the touch and I look to the body beside mine.
"Asher, pay attention," I murmur, moving my leg away from his.
He grins, his hand skimming mine lightly. "I am paying attention," he whispers back, his knee tapping against mine again playfully.
"Quit it," I say softly. "We're here to study." I give him wide eyes, staring around at the other occupied tables, making sure no eyes are on us, paying too much attention.
He leans closer, his breath warm against my ear. "I am studying," he says innocently, but the mischief in his eyes betrays him.
I roll my eyes, trying to ignore the way my heart speeds up at his proximity. "Asher, seriously. We need to get through this. If you don't get your grades up, they might kick you off the team. I thought you wanted help?"
He finally sobers up, his eyes searching mine as if he wants to say something but decides against it. "You're right," he says, his voice sincere. "I'll stop trying to distract you, even if it is fun watching you blush from the slightest touch."
"Asher," I hiss, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. He laughs quietly.
"Alright, alright. Don't blame a guy for having fun."
Fun? My heart squeezes
This is all just fun to Asher and here I am thinking about whether I'm about to break the one rule he set for this little deal.
We finally dive into the assignment. It's a business project, and I'm explaining the concepts of market segmentation and targeting strategies. I glance up and catch him staring at me intently.
"What?" I ask, feeling self-conscious.
"You're really smart," he says simply.
I roll my eyes. "You're getting me to tutor you for a reason, Ash."
He blinks at the nickname, then a slow grin spreads across his face. "Ash?"
I nod. "You don't like it? I can stop-"
"No, I do. You can call me Ash." His smile is warm and genuine, and for a moment, the library fades away, leaving just the two of us in our own little world.
I blink and the noise comes back, the other people glossing back into my sights and I glance down. "Let's get this done and then you can get back to your life."
· · ·
After hours of studying, my eyes sting from staring at the screen for so long. Ash slumps in his seat beside me, his knee touching mine, but this time from exhaustion. His body is lazily draped over the chair.
I rub my eyes and yawn, finally calling it a night.
"Finally," Asher says playfully. "I was beginning to think you were waiting for the library to empty to have your way with me."
I glance around at the dwindling number of people and then back at Asher as he laughs lowly. "Asher," I scold. "Do you want people to know that you're-" I pause, struggling to find the right words.
He only grins. "Do I want people to know that I'm being tutored by the smartest girl on campus, and in exchange all I have to do is teach her how to give a blow-"
"Stop," I cut him off, my cheeks flaming. He grins again but then straightens up, his expression turning serious. "I don't care who knows, Ivy. I'm not ashamed to be seen with you."
I blush again, but he doesn't expect an answer. "Do you want me to drop you home?" he asks softly.
I nod gratefully and help him pack up, our movements silent before we're walking out of the library and then he's opening his car door for me and letting me slide in before shutting it and walking around to the driver’s side.
He slips in and starts the car, the engine rumbling to life with a purr then he's backing out of the park with one hand on the wheel and the other on the back of my seat, his head turned over his shoulder to check his surroundings.
It's the hottest thing I think I've ever experienced and by the small grin on his face, I'd say he knows it too.
I bite my lips to stop myself from saying anything and we start the ten minute drive to mine in comfortable silence,
As we pull up to a red light, he glances over at me with a playful glint in his eyes. "So, Ivy, have you thought more about what you want to learn?"
I glance out the window, avoiding his probing gaze and swallow before shrugging. "You mean how to please a guy and all that?"
"Or how you want to be pleased?," he replies, the corners of his mouth lifting into a grin. "How to ask for what you want. Experimenting, figuring out what works for you."
I think for a moment, then decide to be honest. "Well, I've been curious about...you know, being-" I flap my wrist around like that will somehow have me saying the magic words and Asher laughs.
"Being what, Ivy?" His voice is full of smooth amusement, and I huff before turning to face him and just saying it.
"Eaten out. Being eaten out."
He nods thoughtfully, his grin widening. "Noted." Then he turns back to the front as the light turns green and drives off again.
Noted? What does that even mean? He can't-
I cut off the spiralling thoughts, relaxing back into the seat.
I slump back into my seat, feeling my cheeks heat once more in the presence of Asher fucking Hudson.
It's getting really annoying.
We pull up to my house, and he stops the car, turning to face me. "Thanks for the help tonight, Ivy. I really do appreciate it."
"No problem, I'd hate to see you get kicked off the team. Hockey is your dream," I say, feeling a warmth spread through me that has nothing to do with the car's heater. "I'll see you soon?"
Asher looks lost for a moment, looking at me with a curious face before he blinks and the look is gone. "Yeah, I'll see you Sunday."
"Sunday?"
"Team meeting."
"Oh yeah, I guess I'll see you then."
"Definitely," he replies, giving me an amused smile. "Goodnight, Ivy."
"Goodnight, Ash."
I don't get out just yet, a part of me hesitating and then Asher is leaning forward. "You know what, I think I need to make sure your skills are still up to date. Kiss me, Ivy."
"What-"
"Pop quiz. Kiss me."
His hand is on the back of my neck, pulling me forward just enough for my nose to skim his.
He lingers there, not making the first move. My hearts pounding incessantly in my chest and then I'm leaning forward, pressing my lips to his, leading the kiss while he lets me. He doesn't push for more, just lets me set the pace.
I pull back after a moment, staring into his eyes.
"How's that?" I whisper softly, feeling lost.
"Hmm." He hums then pulls back. "Good. Passed with flying colours." He smirks at me, eyes twinkling.
I flush and get out of the car, ignoring his gaze on me as I walk up to my house.
He doesn't drive away, watching me until I reach the front door and then when I open it and slip inside. Only then do I hear him leave.
My heart races.
Stop, Ivy. Don't fall in love with the one person you cannot have, with the one person who you promised you wouldn't fall in love with.
A noise comes from the kitchen and I step forward, catching Leon moving from the kitchen stool.
"You're up late."
"Ivy? Where have you been?" He says quickly, moving for the fridge without looking at me.
I furrow my brows. "Library. Studying. Are you okay?"
"Yeah, why do you ask?" He looks to me with a raised brow and then I hear something from the back of the house.
I look back at him with raised brows. "Do you have a girl here, is that why you're acting so weird."
He glares at me. "I'm not acting weird."
"So, you do have a girl here?"
He shakes his head. "No, I don't. It's just me here." He waves a hand to me. "And now you."
"Oh, I thought I heard something." I shrug and walk for the stairs. "Oh, well, I'm going to bed. Have a good night."
"Night, and don't forget-"
"You have a team meeting on Sunday, yes I know. You've only told me three times."
He rolls his eyes. "I just don't know if you'll want to be here when I have a house full of rowdy hockey players if you're trying to study. But if you do stay let me know and I'll make sure to order you food."
I nod, "okay, thanks Leon. I'll let you know." I climb the rest of the stairs to my room.