Something Like Thunder Read Online Free PDF Page B

could understand if it was a scheduling issue, but apparently it’s company policy.”
    Ah. Now it made sense. Occasionally parents requested one-on-one tutoring, but for legal reasons, any learning had to be done in the center itself. “Not up to me,” Nathaniel said. “I’ll try to spend more time working with Caesar when he’s here.”
    Todd nodded. “From what I saw, there are more pupils than tutors. I imagine your time will always be divided. That must be frustrating.”
    “Dad,” Caesar said pleadingly.
    His father ignored him. “If you don’t mind me asking, how much do you earn an hour?”
    “Dad!” Caesar stared at him in disbelief. Then he groaned and rolled his eyes when Mr. Hubbard took a business card out of his pocket and handed it to Nathaniel.
    “I’m offering you a job. The same hours but more pay. Think about it and give me a call.”
    Nathaniel stared at the card before realizing he was expected to respond. He raised his head and nodded, figuring that was vague enough for now. Caesar shot him an apologetic expression, then nudged his father back toward the car. After the SUV had pulled away, Nathaniel looked down at the business card again and laughed. Wait until Rebecca heard about this!
    * * * * *
    “You’ve been head-hunted!”
    Nathaniel held back a smile. “Not exactly.”
    “By a talent scout!” Rebecca continued unabashed.
    “Not exactly.” Nathaniel plopped down on the bed next to her. He had paced excitedly while telling his story, chuckling on more than one occasion. Now he felt embarrassed by the whole thing. “It’s simply another parent who thinks he can pay for perfect grades.”
    “Just tell them no refunds,” Rebecca said, pulling up her legs and resting her head on her knees. “Money is money.”
    “You think I should do it?”
    “Normally I’d be selfish and say no, but of course Caesar changes everything.”
    Nathaniel furrowed his brow. “He does?”
    Rebecca mirrored his confusion. “You don’t think he’s cute?”
    “I don’t know. I guess I haven’t thought about it.”
    She scrutinized him before coming up with an explanation. “Maybe you need him to do a nerd girl twirl.”
    Nathaniel laughed. “A what?”
    “Nerd girl twirl. That’s what I call it anyway. You know how on TV shows or movies, they’ll have a nerdy girl nobody likes? Eventually she takes off her glasses and shakes out her hair, usually while twirling around dramatically. Then everyone sees she’s pretty, suddenly making her worthy of attention. It’s totally sexist.” Rebecca bit her lip. “Except if it was a guy instead of a girl, I’d be okay with it. Call me a hypocrite, I don’t care. Could you imagine Caesar with his hair down? Or ripping off his glasses, followed by his shirt?”
    She giggled shamelessly. Nathaniel smiled in response, but felt distracted by the visual image. He hadn’t considered Caesar in that way before and couldn’t imagine what sort of body he would have. Nor could he imagine someone so shy and reserved being comfortable with nudity.
    “So you think I should take the job?”
    Rebecca tilted her head back and forth as she considered the question. “I like that we work together, but it’s not like we have much time to interact while there. So… maybe?”
    “Maybe it is,” Nathaniel said. “I’m sick of thinking about it. Movie time?”
    “Definitely.”
    Rebecca got up to put a DVD in the player, Nathaniel rising to help her pick one. Then they settled back on the bed, their arms and legs pressed against each other. Not long into the film, Rebecca took his hand, which he was fine with. They might both be perpetually single, but at least they had each other. The physical closeness gave him comfort, as did the environment. Rebecca’s room was smaller than his own, the walls covered in posters of her favorite eighties bands and movies. The bedspread was pink and Strawberry Shortcake-themed. One of their thrift store finds. He often