The Goalie's Tutor

a's

under my covers like I could hide from the voice chasing me into the waking world. My pil

ll came. This one was more ur

perfect sleep under a mountain of warm blanke

bout winning a national math award and eating

rm out dramatically, and th

pped my skin

-brick hardwood floor and immed

mer

or innocen

nd on the floor... okay, they didn't match, sue m

ombie-marched my way downstairs

tepped off the las

room were two people

pensive taste" in a sleek grey coat, and a tall

tood nex

g to you Aria,"

a polite smile even though I was mentall

"We're the Monroes. Emily and Grant. Your fat

e where this was h

ike she could sense I was about to bolt.

olite smile dropped from

g to stay composed. "We know. We're not asking for anything long

'm not about to become someone's homework babysitter just bec

son's academic issues. "He's a hockey player. A good one. But his grades dropped, and

quickly, her tone almost pleading

amed of one of Dad's pet projects-rescue the failing athlete,

shut the whole thing down

"Hockey is Jason's dream. He was drafted for the NHL before the transfer. But since his girlfrie

needs help. Not just with school

That hit

on. Most of them were loud, cocky, and abou

made me hesitate. The way she s

it been?" I

"Since she le

vy between us. I looked from her t

quietly. "I'l

Jason Monroe-who I'd later call trouble in a hoodie

🏒

upside down on my bed like she lived here (which she basically did), her legs kicke

n front of my mirror brushing out my hair.

n't even kn

he's f

ch means he's

ed at her. Flat. Blank.

wing with excitement. "Aria. Come on. When has a hockey player not

'll be meeting him and his f

ar. "Do I ever say no to wa

hirt tucked into my black sweatpants, a chunky scarf, wool mittens, and s

d boots. Yes, in this weather. Apparently, she had an immunity to frostbi

wn the stairs,

re dinner!" s

rhood, Lily slowed her car and g

u sure this i

phone again

ouses look like they came straight out of a m

looked like it had been cur

rfectly trimmed lawns, fancy gates, and enough

and followed the stone walkway up to a

ck doubl

eir full-time job. Everythin

'm nervous,"

gh mine and grinned. "Rel

What does tha

nswer, the massive

pped i

stop

was simply

from a skylight, and the floors were this smooth, glossy

h, like the inside of a fancy hotel lobby. A staircase wit

and just below the main entry was a sunken living room wi

"Are we in a house o

rd a soft,

toward the sound. "U

an. Louder

ances, then slowly tiptoed clo

attoos snaking down his arms, muscles flexing as he

ace and he hadn't not

w dro

th. "Well... at lea

speak. My brain

uddenly Emily Monroe appeared from ar

eroed in o

full mom mode

as

, jaw tightening as he

was who I was suppo

so s