Mutual Need

Chapter 2

The following day after school, I found Jacob leaning against the drivers side door of my truck. " To what do I owe the pleasure" I asked dryly, he sighed " I need your help" he said. I raised a dubious brow " So your not going to blow me off? I can't help you if you don't take this seriously and commit to trying " I told him." When can we start?" he asked me annoyed, I ignored it. " Tomorrow, you have the same study hall hour as me. We can start there so I can get an idea where to start with you, from there we can work out a schedule" I told him, " will that work?". " Whatever " he grouched and walked off.

"The principal asked you to tudor this boy?" mom said at dinner." Who else is he gonna ask to tudor the star quarterback " Liam said rolling his eyes, " he didn't exactly give either of us a choice " I clarified acerbically." I want you to be careful around that boy, he's a womanizer just like that Lahote boy " Dad said seriously." I'm not his type dad, and I don't want to be. Jacob doesn't see me that way, we're just going to get his grades up that's all " I reassured him.

After the animals where cared for I was more than ready to curl up on the couch with my hair up and changed into a comfy loose t-shirt and lounge pants. I was reading one of my red queen books with my feet propped up when Liam grabbed my feet and lifted my legs so he could sit and put my feet in his lap. "You like him don't you" he asked bluntly, "I liked him Lee, there's a difference " I told him setting my book down, " he was different when we first moved here. He was nice, sweet even and sunny. But then he changed, he grew up and out then was on the team. That's when girls seemed to notice him more and he started his new reputation " I told him.

" Your not thinking that you can change him, are you?" he asked me. I sighed " now your sounding like Jess. I know I can't change him, I'm only having anything to do with him now because the principal is making me do it. I haven't overlooked the fact that the guy is a lethario" I told him emphatically.

He lifted his hands in surrender " I'm not saying you are. I  just know that you still like him at a distance. I don't want this to give him a way to get to you. The guy specializes in talking his way into your pants. Just because he hasn't tried with you before doesn't mean he won't now, or one of his friends. You're not very experienced in having guys try to sweet talk you into anything, especially ones you like. I know your not stupid, but I just want you to be careful okay?" he told me gently.

I nodded reigning in my annoyance, he was just being my big brother. " Alright, enough with the heavy. Tell me about this Brad Lefevre, Josh and Jordy told me about his GT Spyder" he grinned. I smiled " I'll give you one better, I have a picture " I told him digging out my iPhone X. " He's the new guy at school, if your worried about some guy charming me, it's him. That  bayou sweet talker is annoying, there's just something about him I don't like ".

Friday I waited in the empty classroom used for study hall. Jake came in taking the seat across from me. " So I thought we could go over each subject and what your trouble is in each. I can work on how to help you from there" I  told him. He shrugged and grunted his assent so I began.

" Okay, let's start with your math class, which are you in, and what part of it is giving you trouble " I asked having my notebook and pencil ready so I wouldn't forget. He sighed and say up from his slouch, " Algebra, and I'm not sure exactly" he told me. I rolled my lips thinking " Do you have an old test paper or quiz, I could figure it out from that?" I asked. Pulling up his backpack he pulled out a crumpled paper and passed it over. I uncrumpled it and smoothed it out taking a look at the figures. " It looks like your problem is pretty simple, your missing a step or two. That should be easy to fix, what about history?" I wondered." Dates and names mostly" he grumbled and I nodded. " How about English?" I asked and he gave me a look. I chuckled "yeah,  I don't like it either. Unfortunately my mother loves that stuff, so I've read most of the classics under duress" I  told him rolling my eyes. " Okay what about Spanish?" I asked, Jacob frowned" you don't take Spanish " he said." Your right I don't, but my brother did and I happen to know he didn't get rid of his school stuff, so I should be able to find something to help you besides knowing how to roll my r's" I told him. " Lastly government" I  wondered, " names and dates, political procedure" he grouched.

After I was done writing everything down I tucked back some of my hair and spoke, "I'll go over what you've told me tonight and come up with a plan, my weekends are free in the afternoons, and we can try for the days we don't have practice along with study hall. Does that work?"

He nodded reluctantly," Where do we want to meet then?" I wondered. He sighed" four, my place?" he offered. I nodded"that works, gives us two hours before I need to be home " I told him. He wrote out his address on a torn paper in a messy scrawl and passed it over.

Now that our arrangement was settled I pulled out my stuff to study, Embry and Bella parked on either side of me. " So what do you think Stevie? Can you help my boy here " Embry asked teasingly and pointed to Jacob with his thumb. " Oh I think it's doable" I said going along with it. " Well if anybody can it's you " Bella said nudging my shoulder with hers.