MoreJade_LPavlov-eBooks

by Pavlov, Laura

  “You can’t smoke around me. I’m not willing to die of second-hand smoke in order to help you pass biology,” she said with a smirk.

  “Are you always this fun?” I dropped my cigarette on the ground and snuffed it out with my foot. Of course, I picked it up and carried it inside, because I suspected she’d lecture me about littering next.

  She followed me in the house, and I watched her gaze move around the room.

  “Wow. This is your place? It’s so nice.”

  “Thanks. We can set up at the table.”

  She put her backpack on one of the dining room chairs and started unpacking. She had a shit ton of stuff.

  “You brought all those books for an hour session?” I said.

  “Who’s the judgmental one now? I’m going to the library after. Just the one book for you.” She held up her biology book and shook it in my face like a dog treat. I must be the dog.

  “I thought your boyfriend was coming at noon?” I used the word boyfriend on purpose because I was a nosy fucker when it came to More Jade. I wanted to know if she was dating someone so I could hate the lucky bastard.

  Her cheeks pinked, and she dropped down in the chair. “I didn’t say boyfriend, I said best friend. You better clean out your ears if you want to do well in this class.”

  “Ah, yes, a wax build-up must be the reason I’m failing biology. You said he was a dude, so I assumed he was your boyfriend. Why are you all flustered by the question?”

  “I’m not flustered.” She opened the book to the first chapter.

  “So, your best friend is a dude?”

  “Does that surprise you? Let me guess, you don’t have any female friends because all the girls are too busy dropping to their knees when you walk in the room, oh mighty one.”

  I laughed. Loud. She was so snarky and full of judgment. I kind of loved it. Not many people in my life gave me shit.

  “You bring up a valid point.”

  “Which is why I had to come here, right? Because you can’t show your face at my dorm after what happened with my roommate?” She crossed her arms in front of her chest and raised a brow in question.

  “You’ve got it all wrong. That chick is batshit crazy. I’m afraid she’ll violate me. The girl doesn’t take no for an answer.”

  “Like I said—I’m allergic to dumb choices. Let’s get down to business so we don’t have to add changing majors to the list.”

  I rolled my eyes and she placed the book between us. More Jade was an impressive teacher. She could give Professor Douche Canoe a run for his money. She went on and on about how cells were the basic building block of life, while explaining energy flow, heredity, and the chemical composition of a cell. She drew pictures and examples on a piece of paper. She explained it like she was teaching something basic, and she broke it down in such a simple way that it actually made sense.

  We went back and forth for an hour, and I scribbled a few notes down. She pulled out her perfect scored quiz and handed it to me.

  “I made a copy for you. You need to study this. The final will be cumulative, so you need to learn what you missed on this. But you should be ready for the quiz next week and we will meet two days a week so you’re ready for the first test. Keep reviewing the material until we meet again.”

  “Thanks.”

  Noise came from down the hall and high-pitched giggles followed. Speaking of Douche Canoes, Dex made his way to the front room. There was a blonde flanking each side of him.

  “Well, what do we have here?” Dex looked at Jade, and her eyes were big as saucers as she took in the scene. He wore nothing but white briefs that were a size too small and his junk was on full display. One of the girls wore a rhinestone bra and bootie shorts. Classy. The other wasn’t in much more than a bathing suit.

  “Leave. We’re working.” My words were harsh, but I didn’t need him getting in my shit. Nor did I want the gory details about last night’s orgy.

  He made a tsking sound. “Cruz, I’m surprised to see you studying, so bright and early on a Saturday morning. Good boy. You must really like your tutor.” He turned to face Jade. “I’m Dex.”

  He extended his hand to her, and it made my blood boil. The dude knew how to get under my skin. He was competitive and jealous and wanted what he couldn’t have. I knew better than to let him know it bothered me when he spoke to her.

  “Oh hey, I’m Jade.”

  The two girls waved in unison and giggled. They obviously shared one brain cell.

  “Pretty name, prettier girl,” Dex said, taking a slow perusal of Jade from head to toe. I swore to fucking Christ I had to stop myself from jumping over the table at him.

  Jade and I would have to study in my room from now on. I wasn’t exposing her to his antics. Everything was a game to this asshole.

  “Okay, then,” Jade said, catching Dex off guard when she rolled her eyes and turned back to face me. She didn’t give the douchebag the time of day.

  “Our Uber’s here,” one of the Playboy Barbies said, and they both took turns kissing him goodbye. Not a quick one—a full-blown make-out session. Tongue and all. The sound effects were over the top.

  Jade’s gaze locked with mine, and she didn’t hide her discomfort. Maybe this was a bad idea. I should meet her at the library next time. Spare her the shady shit that went down at my house. Obviously, we lived in very different worlds. Mine was a shit show of a life. I gave Dex a hard stare after he returned from walking the girls out. He chuckled and made his way back down the hall.

  “What was that?” Jade whispered.

  “Just a regular Saturday morning at the homestead,” I said. But in all honesty, this was my norm.

  She laughed. “It’s definitely entertaining around here.”

  “You have no idea.”

  She checked her phone. “Well, I better get going. I have a lot of work to do.”

  “We can meet at the library next time if you want. I won’t make you come to the love shack.”

  I handed her a hundred-dollar bill and walked her to the door.

  “I’m fine meeting here. It’s not a big deal,” she said before getting on her pink bike. She waved as she rode down the walkway.

  “Have fun with your non-boyfriend.”

  “Always do,” she said with a laugh.

  I frowned when she pedaled down the street. I didn’t like the idea of Jade having a boyfriend or a male best friend.

  Because I knew that anyone who hung out with her would want More Jade.

  Just like I did.

  Chapter Five

  Jade

  “Sam and Jay are so nice. Sam’s really cute, too,” Ariana said.

  I’m used to it. Everyone loved Sam. And apparently, he was really good looking. I never looked at him like that. He’s family.

  “Yeah, he’s a great guy. And I’ve only met his roommate Jay a few times, but I like him.”

  “You and Sam have never dated? You seem so close,” she said as we made our way to the dining hall.

  “Oh, God no. He’s like my brother. We took baths together when we were kids,” I said with a laugh.

  “Well, yeah, I guess that takes dating off the table. You never got to tell me about tutoring Cruz. How did it go? I swear he’s into you.”

  “Not at all. We literally have nothing in common. His house is super nice. But one of the guys in his band, Dex, is a little, I don’t know what the word is.”

  “Sexy?”

  “No. Definitely not. More like, creepy? I don’t know. He weirded me out. He came out of his bedroom with these two girls, and the way he looked at me made my skin crawl. Cruz seemed equally annoyed by him,” I said as we flashed our dining cards and made our way to the food line at the dining hall.

  “I’ve heard the name. He gets around.”

  “Sounds about right. I think t
hey all do. But Cruz is nice enough. He’s paying me well, and he did get me a fake ID, so I can’t complain.”

  Ari chuckled. “Sam is so protective of you. He wasn’t happy about you getting a fake ID. He’s so funny.”

  “He’s a complete hypocrite. He’s had a fake ID since his senior year in high school. He gets that way. He grilled me about tutoring Cruz and doesn’t think he’s going to pay me. But so far, I’ve tutored him once and he paid me cash.”

  “What’s he like? I mean, he has such a stage presence. Is he all hot and sexy when he’s not performing?”

  I sat across from her at the table we’d claimed as our own, three times a day for the last few weeks.

  “He’s actually pretty normal. I mean, he’s really trying to grasp biology, so I’m sure it’s humbling. He doesn’t act all cocky and broody when he isn’t on stage, I guess.”

  “I can’t believe you get paid to sit with him twice a week. I need to find a hot guy to tutor.”

  I shook my head and laughed. “What happened with Jace? Has he texted you again?”

  “Yes. He’s texted me a few times. We’re supposed to meet up again at The Dive later this week. Any chance I can persuade you to come again?”

  “I can’t go this week. I have three midterms coming up. But once I get through those, I promise I’ll go out again with you.”

  I finished eating my grilled cheese sandwich and hurried off to the library. Between studying for three midterms, going to class and now tutoring, I barely had time to come up for air.

  ~*~

  The smell of fall lingered in the air. It wasn’t a specific scent—but you knew it was coming. The air was getting cooler, pumpkins were in the grocery store, and it got dark earlier. I survived three midterms and though I lacked sleep, I was feeling good. My biology midterm was tomorrow, and I was thankful it didn’t fall at the same time as the others last week.

  I pedaled up the walkway and Cruz was standing on the front porch smoking. We’d met several times, and he seemed to be grasping the concepts. I was learning as well, so I had a tinge of guilt about being paid as our tutoring sessions were more like a study group for both of us. And I didn’t mind hanging out with him. He was smart and funny when he wasn’t annoying me.

  Dex hadn’t been at the house the last few times we’d met, but Lennon and Adam had been there, and they were both very nice. I found out that Lennon was Cruz’s younger brother by a year, and I could see a slight family resemblance. They appeared to be very close. Cruz didn’t let them make small talk with me for long, and usually barked at them to leave. I saw him almost daily now because we had class together three days a week, and I tutored him the other two days.

  “Don’t give me that look. I’m taking a few drags before my drill sergeant makes me work.”

  He was leaning against the house with his long legs stretched out in front of him. He wore black joggers, a gray hoodie and a white baseball cap backward on his head. Dark blond hair peeked out the sides, and his defined cheekbones were even more prominent when he inhaled his cancer stick. Ari wasn’t exaggerating when she said how hot he was. I saw it too. It was more than just good looks with Cruz. There was something about him. I didn’t know what it was, but he had this confidence in the way he carried himself. He was everything you pictured when you thought of a rock star, yet he was easy to talk to and he actually cared about his grades. I reminded myself that he was off limits, but it didn’t mean I couldn’t look.

  “Let me guess—I’m said drill sergeant?” I parked my bike on the front porch and followed him inside.

  “Yes, you are, More Jade.”

  I rolled my eyes. He usually just called me Jade, but once in a while, he referenced the silly name.

  “Are you ready for tomorrow?”

  “I don’t know. Am I?” he asked as he studied me.

  “I think you’re more than ready. You’ve totally got this. I wanted to talk to you about that. I feel bad taking your money when you don’t really need me to tutor you. At this point, we’re just studying together.”

  His brows pinched together. “I thought you needed the money. You don’t want to do it anymore?”

  Cruz Winslow was beautiful on a regular day, but splash in a little vulnerability and the guy was even sexier. We had nothing in common and he wasn’t my type, but there was no arguing he was a twelve on a scale of one to ten.

  “Of course, I can use the money. I just feel bad taking it. I don’t know that I’m really earning it, though. It’s completely up to you.”

  “This is why the world needs more Jade. You worry about things most people would be excited to get away with. Trust me, you’re earning it,” he said.

  “Okay. Let’s see how the test goes.”

  We got down to business, as there was a lot to review before tomorrow.

  “Fuck. It’s so much material,” he said as we wrapped up the final chapter.

  I intertwined my fingers and rested my hands on the modern glass tabletop. This house must have been decorated professionally because it was not typical for college kids to live like this. Two black leather couches sat in the family room with an industrial-looking metal coffee table. There were contemporary bookcases beside the couch, lamps, and paintings on the walls.

  “Yeah, I agree. But remember, you’ll have multiple-choice questions. The essays are going to be on the bigger concepts, which you’ve got down.”

  “Okay. How are you feeling? Are you ready?”

  “Yep. I mean, I’ll study the rest of today and tonight,” I said.

  “Of course, you will.”

  “It doesn’t come easy for me either. I just work my ass off,” I said. I load everything in my bookbag as we went well over an hour.

  “You do work hard. I’ll give you that. But you’re also selling yourself short. It comes easier to you than most. I’ll bet you were the valedictorian of your high school.”

  My cheeks heated. I didn’t know why I always got embarrassed when this topic came up, but I did. I didn’t like the attention, nor did I like talking about myself.

  “I did fine.”

  “I did fine? Come on, say it.”

  “Say what?” I asked, raising my hands in question.

  “Say, ‘I was the fucking valedictorian of my high school because I’m a badass chick.’”

  I laughed. He was insane. He quirked a brow and waited.

  “I’m not saying that.”

  “Why?”

  “Because it’s conceited and unnecessary.”

  “Jade.”

  “Yes?”

  “Were you the valedictorian of your high school?”

  “Yes,” I said, exasperation flooded my tone.

  “Say, ‘I was the fucking valedictorian of my high school’ and I’ll drop the other part.”

  I finished taking a drink from my water bottle and replaced the lid before looking up to meet his honey-colored gaze.

  “Fine. I was the fucking valedictorian of my high school,” I groaned.

  A smile spread across his face, showing off his pearly whites.

  “Was that so bad?”

  “It was awful,” I said.

  “You’re the opposite of most people. You sell yourself short, while the rest of the world fakes it till they make it.”

  “And what about you? Do you fake it till you make it?” I asked.

  “Most of the time, yeah.”

  “I disagree. You aren’t faking all the work you’ve done for this bio test. You aren’t faking it when you’re performing either. I saw it for myself.”

  “What’d you see, More Jade?” He watched me, and his smile caused a swarm of butterflies to flutter in my stomach.

  “Passion and talent. You can’t fake those.”

  He leaned back in his chair, watching me intently. “What are you pa
ssionate about? I mean, besides school?”

  “Family. Becoming a doctor.”

  “You always knew you wanted to be a doctor?”

  I squirmed in my seat. Not the way I saw this conversation going. “Yeah. Since I was a little kid.”

  “You just played doctor one day and then knew what you wanted to be?” He chuckled. I didn’t.

  “My mom died when I was five. A few years later, I decided I’d make a difference someday. You know, make a contribution to the medical field. Save someone else’s mom, or dad, or loved one.”

  Cruz’s gaze softened, and for a minute, I thought he was going to reach for my hand. He closed his fist and knocked on the table instead. “I’m sorry. That must have been really hard.”

  “Yeah. I mean, my dad overcompensates,” I said, desperate to change the subject.

  “You and your dad are really close, huh? I could tell the day he moved you in the dorms.”

  “Yeah. We are. How about you? Where do your parents live?”

  “We have a home here, in the suburbs, but they spend most of their time in Los Angeles because that’s technically where my dad works. I’m closer with my mom than I am with my dad. He’s fine. I mean, he talks to my manager more than he speaks to me, but that’s the way I grew up. We were raised by nannies. We get together with my parents for vacations a couple times a year.”

  I couldn’t wrap my head around what he said, and I wanted to know more. “What do your parents do for a living?”

  “My dad has a production company, he’s in the movie industry, and my mom doesn’t work. She was a model before they got married.”

  “She’s a stay at home mom, but you had nannies?” I didn’t mean for it to sound judgmental, but it does.

  He laughed. “Yeah. It wasn’t really up to her. Being a wife to my dad is a full-time job. You know, they’re always entertaining. They travel constantly. Their lifestyle is not the most conducive for raising kids. Sometimes I think they had two kids so we would have one another.”

  My chest tightened. “So, you and Lennon are close?”