Page 44 of Falling Into You

“If the whole squad puts in ten bucks each, Stuart can buy homecoming tickets,” Gwen explained.

Jacob was about to offer up the tickets he won at the bake sale, but something held him back. No, he did not have a date yet. But if he was being honest with himself, he was holding out hope that he would. That some miracle would occur and he’d get the chance to take Rory. And the fact thather leg was still pressed against his somehow indicated that this might actually be a possibility. Maybe that made him a jerk, but at least it made him a hopeless romantic jerk.

If Ford could have heard his thoughts, Jacob would have never heard the end of it.

“There’s no way he’s going to accept charity,” Rory said.

“I’m going to tell him it’s a deposit for the basketball practice sessions he’s going to have with my brother come January,” Layla replied. “Which he doesn’t know he’s doing yet. But he won’t say no.”

“You’re an evil genius,” Rory said.

“You’re not the first person who’s told me that, and I’m sure you won’t be the last.” Layla shrugged and added, “Though it did take me longer to come up with this plan than I care to admit.”

A few people went into their pockets and pulled out money to drop into the bowl. “I never carry cash,” Carlos said.

“I also accept transfers,” Layla told him.

Jacob yanked out his wallet and put in twenty.

“Okay, money bags,” Dahlia teased.

“I just got paid,” Jacob said with a shrug. “Plus, I’m told it’s my fault he doesn’t have tickets already, so.”

“Fair enough,” Layla said as she gathered up the bills. “So, Rory, explain why we’re here. Not that I don’t enjoy freezing my butt off on a random Friday night.”

“Jacob needs to ace his math test on Wednesday or he’s off the team,” Rory said.

Carlos whistled as everyone turned to look at Jacob, who let out a surprised laugh.

“Wow, Graham, you could warn a guy.”

Carlos was shaking his head. “Don’t tell me. Mrs. Dutton’s class? She’s a beast, man. It’s like every question is a trick question.”

“Thank you!” Jacob replied, relief washing through him. “Glad to hear it’s not just me.”

“It’s not just you. But I did get an A,” Carlos said, looking proud of himself. “I can help.”

“Me too,” Gwen said. “I love tutoring math.”

“Wait, you?” Jacob asked, dunking his spoon into the Moose Tracks scoop in his bowl.

“I’m in AP calc, and I’ve been voted favorite math tutor at A+ Mathematics for six months running, thank you very much.” Gwen offered a humble little shrug. “Math is my thing.”

“She can work complex problems, but she can’t remember how to spell my last name,” Layla said dryly.

“Words don’t make sense,” Gwen countered earnestly. “Numbers do.”

“Great!” Rory said, clapping her hands once. “We have our tutoring team. Carlos and Gwen, come up with a schedule and let’s get Jacob an A.”

“I’m free the next few nights,” Gwen said. “I can come over to your place whenever.”

“We can’t do it at my place,” Jacob said automatically.

“Why not?” Carlos asked.

“It’s just... not a good place to concentrate.” Jacob glanced at Rory. “Lots of siblings.Loudsiblings.”

“Oh, I hear that,” Carlos said. “I can’t take a shower longer than two minutes without my sisters banging down the door.”