The Dating Tutor: Alec's Story Read online

  Hugging the blankets to her chest, she jumped up and threw her arms around his neck. Then she pulled him in for a kiss. “I love you, Alec.” The words were whispered against his mouth, more intimate than anything he’d ever heard in his life.

  He pulled back to look at her with an affectionate grin. “I love you, too. Always have. Just took me a little to realize what that meant.”

  * * * *

  It had been two weeks since prom night, two weeks since everything in his life started falling into place. As he made his way to the mailbox, Alec reflected on how well things were going in his life. His relationship with his father was improving more with each day…as was his relationship with Ellie. He had a date with her tonight, in fact. The two of them were going to the drive-in theater.

  This was something they’d done a hundred times, but somehow it felt different now. Instead of keeping to their respective sides of the car except for an occasional popcorn fight, he would have his arm around her shoulders. They would be kissing during previews. They would snuggle up together under a blanket to keep warm. No doubt he would still throw an occasional piece of popcorn her way, but he figured she wouldn’t care as much.

  Smiling, he opened the mailbox and pulled out the stack of envelopes inside. Making his way up the driveway, he flipped through them. Bill. Bill. A copy of Hockey magazine. A letter from Boston College.

  Boston College! Alec’s heart was suddenly in his throat. He stared at the envelope with something close to fear. His entire future rested in the palm of his hand. He wanted into Boston College so badly. Ellie would be at Boston. His future career in hockey would be at Boston. If he didn’t get in… He didn’t even want to think about that. It would be unbearable.

  “You okay, Alec? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

  He lifted his gaze to find Mrs. Harper climbing out of her car.

  She swung the door shut, slung a dry cleaning bag over her shoulder, and crossed her driveway into his. “Is everything all right?”

  With a nervous exhale, he motioned toward the letter in his hand. “It’s from Boston College.”

  Her eyes widened with excitement, and she took a step closer. “Well open it!” She waved her free hand enthusiastically at the letter.

  He shot her an amused grin, followed by a little snort. “I’m afraid to. If it’s bad news…”

  She shook her head, dismissing the thought. “Of course it isn’t bad news! Alec, your grade point average had taken an impressive climb these last two years since you’ve really become serious about getting into a good school. Your skills on the ice have only improved. They’d have to be brainless to pass over you.”

  He felt some of the anxiety leak out of him at her kind praise. She was right; he’d done everything in his power to get into this school. Offering her a grateful smile, he said, “Thanks for the vote of confidence. It means a lot.”

  “You deserve it.” With a little laugh, she added, “Now open the letter!”

  With his heart pounding frantically in his chest, he shoved his index finger inside the envelope and ripped along the top. Taking a deep breath, he pulled out a thick fold of papers.

  Straightening them out as best he could, he read aloud. “Dear Mr. Horner, we are extremely pleased to inform you that you have been selected for admission—” Alec broke off with an excited whoop. “I got in! I got in!” The last remaining bit of pressure left him in an instant.

  Mrs. Harper wrapped him up in a tight hug. “I’m so proud of you, Alec!” She gave him another squeeze before releasing him. Still, she beamed at him with open delight.

  He knew he must be blushing. Folding up the papers and stuffing them back inside the envelope, he gave her a bashful smile. “Thank you.”

  The grin on her lips turned almost mischievous as she said, “I’m sure Ellie will be happy to hear the news as well. For some reason, she’s been very eager to hear the contents of that letter.”

  Alec caught the teasing note to her voice and knew his blush had to be darkening. “Yeah…” He ran a hand along the back of his neck and gave her a guilty, sheepish look.

  “I take it things are going well then? That’s good to hear.”

  He blinked at her in surprise. “You… You aren’t upset that Ellie and I…” He hadn’t been alone with Mrs. Harper since he and Ellie had started dating. To be honest, he’d been almost afraid of her reaction.

  “Now why would I be upset?” Mrs. Harper’s expression softened, and she gave his arm an affectionate squeeze. “Alec, you and my daughter have been inseparable since the moment you met. I’m just surprised it took the two of you this long to realize what was there.” At his stunned expression, she chuckled. “I’m not as clueless as you might think. And I remember what it is like to be a young girl in love. I’m just happy Ellie was smart about it and fell for a good guy.” She shrugged a shoulder. “I know you, and I know you care about her. I see no reason to be upset.”

  Relief washed through him at this. Having the approval of Ellie’s mother meant a great deal to him, especially considering the respect he had for her. “Thank you. I promise I’ll be good to her.”

  “I know you will.” With a nod toward her house, Mrs. Harper said, “Now run on inside and tell her the good news. I can imagine you’re ecstatic to tell her.”

  Alec bobbed his head eagerly. “I am!” He raced off toward her front door. “Thanks again, Mrs. Harper!” He called the words over his shoulder as he darted inside the house. He could not wait to tell his girlfriend that they would be attending the same college in the fall.

  * * * *

  Sitting across from Shannon, Alec once again had the thought of how lucky he was that he’d waited for sex. If he had taken Shannon up on her offer in his car…well, it would have cheapened things with Ellie. Besides, Shannon and Matt seemed to be hitting it off well enough.

  As she riffled through some papers in front of her, he prodded her to get on with the interview she was conducting. “So this is for the paper?” he asked gently.

  Finding what she wanted, Shannon lifted her eyes to his and gave a sheepish shrug. “I needed the extra credit.” She glanced at the paper in front of her before reading off the first question. “Is it true that you’ll be attending Boston College in the fall? With multiple scholarships?”

  Alec beamed. For once, everything in his life was falling into place. “That’s correct. I’ll be playing hockey for Boston at the start of the fall semester.”

  “Alec, that’s fantastic!” He was surprised to find that her words sounded genuine. Perhaps Matt was having a good influence on her. “Your father must be proud.”

  “He is,” Alec gushed. “Dad is beside himself with excitement. He doesn’t intend to miss a single game if he can help it. He’s…well, he’s great.” He was ecstatic that he could say that and mean it. Jerich Horner had turned into super dad, and as promised, he hadn’t touched a drop of alcohol since that night a few weeks ago.

  “And now the question on everyone girl in school’s mind… Are you single, Alec?” She arched a brow at him, her eyes full of interest.

  He could only roll his eyes at this. “You know I’m not. I’m dating Ellie Harper. Everyone in school knows this. I haven’t been shy about it.”

  Shannon frowned. “The girl that turned Jake Phillips gay?”

  “She didn’t turn Jake gay,” he huffed with agitation. “Jake was alre… Forget it. Yes. That would be the Ellie I’m talking about.”

  “You’re not worried she’ll have the same effect on you?”

  Alec just stared, wondering how many cells in her brain had been affected by hairspray. He never got a chance to answer, because the door to the room inched open and Ellie peeked inside.

  “You ready?” she asked. “We have reservations tonight at DeNuzio’s. That dance floor is calling my name.”

  As he climbed to his feet, Alec spared Shannon one last glance. “No. I’m not worried. In fact, I don’t have a care in the world. My life is exact
ly how I always wanted it to be. It’s…perfect.”

  Strolling to the door, he enveloped Ellie in a tight hug before lowering his lips to hers. “I love you, Ellie Harper.”

  She smiled with her lips against his. “I love you too, Alec Horner.”

  “Always,” he said firmly.

  Ellie bobbed her head in agreement. “Always.”

  The End

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