Nix sends a smirk my way as we walk outside. “How was your shift?” I know he’s thinking about me being forced to spend time with Piper, and he obviously finds it hilarious. Again, I have to wonder how it’s so easy for him to forget everything that happened yesterday. He was almost kind to me afterward. Where’s that version of him now?

“It was fine. I got the supply room organized.”

“What an achievement,” Colt mutters, and the two of them laugh as we climb into the truck.

All I can do is bite my tongue and keep to myself, remembering how good it felt to put my foot down with Piper. I could get used to feeling like I’m calling the shots in my life.

And if that’s what I’m going to do, then there’s something I need to look into right away. I need to get a real job. Not only to get away from Piper but to get out from under my stepbrothers’ thumbs. I can’t stand living on their schedule and jumping whenever they tell me to.

CHAPTER 19

“Thank you so much for your help. I didn’t think he’d ever get the hang of what they’re trying to teach them in these math classes, but his teacher said he’s already improving from where he was this time last week. He finally gets it.”

I lean closer to the webcam at the top of my screen, smiling at the woman chatting with me from her home. Her son ran off like he was on fire the moment our lesson was over, but it gives me a few minutes to catch up with his mom. “I’m so glad. Trying to pick up new concepts is not always easy. Especially when you’re in summer school. Nobody wants to be there.”

She grimaces. “I’m sure if he had somebody like you explaining these things during the school year, he wouldn’t have needed summer school. Is this the kind of thing you’re only doing over the summer, or do you think you’ll be able to provide tutoring during the school year?”

That’s a good question, one I hadn’t considered yet. I’ve only been doing this online tutoring thing for a few days, not enough time to settle down and come up with a plan. “I might be able to fit the work in,” I decide. “But I won’t know for sure until I start my classes. It will only be my first semester in college, so I’m not sure exactly how long it will take to adjust.”

“What are you majoring in?”

“I want to eventually be an elementary school teacher.”

“Perfect,” she assures me with a wide smile. “Let me tell you, you are worth every penny and then some. I know my husband agrees with me—name your price, and we’ll happily pay.”