The Beginning

Nicky

It didn't matter what I did. Tess seemed more standoffish than ever before. It wasn't a refusal to touch me, but the way she'd jock back when it lasted too long or that sudden grimace of discomfort. She'd had even begged Lexi to stay in the apartment with us. I had a feeling I wasn't here to be her company. I was simply the go-between for her and Uncle Dom. Tess wanted me to give back the money, but I'd sooner pocket it than give it back to that meticulous man. Given the sum, I knew she'd seen or heard something she wasn't supposed to. And if she was unwilling then to take the money, what else did he offer her?

"What am I doing here, Tess?" I asked as the door clicked closed behind Lexi. I felt I'd be traversing the steps not far behind her.

"I wanted to give you the money." She turned to face me from the front door. "And apologize for yelling at you again."

"It's kind of like you shouldn't anymore." I teased.

She gave me that phony stale expression as she held her smile. "I'm so far behind and that stressed me out even more."

"You're that far behind?"

"Weeks' worth of work is blank on my desk. I haven't ever subbed for this long either. I got the stupid degree and now I feel like it's not for me. How dumb is that?" Her fears manifested in furrowed brows, wringing hands and jerky head shakes.

I placed a hand on hers.

Tess's eyes locked with mine.

"It's not dumb. A lot people follow their dreams and realize it isn't what they thought it was." I went to withdraw my hand, but she had already taken hold of my middle finger. "Also, think about how much you're working. Maybe, if teaching was your only job, who knows? You might be able to enjoy it."

"That would be nice." She cooed.

"What would you do with your summer?" I wondered. "If it was yours to have."

"I'd probably stay and tutor over the summer, or I could I help at the shelter. I love dogs." She thought absently.

"What about for you?"

The bridge of her nose wrinkled. "That is what I'd do for me."

"You wouldn't kick your feet up, have a beer? Go dancing." I thought back to her comedic attempt to throw it back the other night.

"I don't dance." Tess assured.

I didn't miss a chance to poke fun at her. "That's not what I saw."

Hesitantly she choked out, "What did you see?"

"You and Lexi giving the absolute most. You were out there with your tongue out, she was smacking that shit." I mimicked Lexi clapping handfuls of Tess's backside.

"No, stop." Tess brows turned up at the center. Her cheeks and chest started to glow. Her hands flew to cover her embarrassment.

"It was cute." I relaxed back next to her.

"Don't do that." Tess let her hands fall. Her eyes fixed on her lap. "You're a charming person who knows it. You're not going to make fun of me and then say something nice to make me forget."

"I'm not charming, I'm just conventionally attractive. If I wasn't, I don't think people would be so taken with me." I felt like I was admitting something that could get me into trouble. "I'd be another crass piece of garbage like Uncle Dom." Who I was destined to be anyway.

Tess's shoulders softened. She seemed to take a breath of relief and finally gave a chuckle. "Not charming," she noted, "just a hot guy who knows he's hot."