Page 14 of The Apple Tree

“Sorry. Call Nicole.”

I frowned because I didn’t want to go out with Nicole. All she ever wanted to do was eat at McDonald’s and shop at Claire’s for earrings. And I didn’t have my ears pierced.

“It’s fine,” I grumbled in a less-than-fine tone. “Sorry you’re not feeling well. Get better, and I’ll call you tomorrow to tell youeverything.”

“Tell me now.”

“No. I have to get Josh ready for bed.”

“Fine. Tomorrow. See ya.” She hung up, and I jogged up the stairs.

“Josh, time to brush your teeth.”

He made up for the clogged toilet incident by getting ready for bed without dilly-dallying or uttering a single complaint. I probably could have learned a few things from him.

By the time I got halfway through one book, he was asleep. I shut off the light and partially closed his door. Feeling extra snoopy, I tiptoed into Kyle’s bedroom, but before I could find the light switch, I heard a door creak, so I hurried down the stairs, composing myself while turning the corner into the kitchen.

“Hey,” I said with my hands folded behind my back, going for the most innocent pose I could find. “You know, there are brown bears here in southern Missouri. You must be careful hanging out alone at night by the creek.”

“I wasn’t alone.” He set his blanket and flashlight on the counter and deposited his empty beer cans into the sink.

“Oh?”

“I was with my friends, Smith & Wesson.” He pulled a gun out from the back of his jeans.

My eyes popped out of my head. We didn’t own any guns. And while I heard Adam mention guns the previous day, I imagined a rifle, not a handgun.

“A math teacher with a gun,” I mumbled.

He grinned, removing the ammunition. “What do you take when drinking by the creek and staring at the stars?”

I peeled my gaze from the gun on the counter and lifted it to his face. “I take friends.”

Kyle chuckled, resting his backside against the counter and tucking his fingers into his front pockets. “And they protect you?”

After a few blinks, I overcame my shock and mustered a grin. “Yes. I’m the fastest runner.”

He barked a laugh, and I felt my face flush because he had the sexiest smile, the sexiest everything, really.

I pressed a finger to my lips. “Shh. Josh is asleep.”

He rubbed his mouth while his eyes gleamed with amusement. “Sorry. You’re right.” His gaze shifted to the clock by the fridge. “What time are you sneaking out?”

I deflated. “I’m not. My best friend is sick. Did you save me any beer?”

Kyle lifted his eyebrows. “You know those really cool teachers who give students alcohol?”

“No. I’ve never met a teacher who gave their students alcohol.”

He shook his head. “Me neither.”

I scowled. “Respectfully, you’re an idiot.”

“Respectfully?” He cocked his head to the side.

“I was taught to respect my elders,” I said.

“Oh, so saying ‘respectfully’ before calling someone an idiot makes it okay?”

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