Page 23 of The Apple Tree

“Maybe, but then what? I don’t think they let you run cross country in college without taking actual college classes. And I don’t want to sit in a classroom. I need a break from school. I don’t know what I want to do for the rest of my life.”

“Some people think college can help you figure out what you want to do. You take different courses and see what piques your interest.”

“Is that what you did?”

Kyle nodded. “I had a football scholarship and no idea what I wanted to do, so I did what everyone who didn’t have a particular interest did.”

“Get a degree in education?”

He smirked. “Exactly.”

“Well, I don’t want to teach. I’m not good at math. Obviously, I’m not good at literature. Maybe I’m the doer who can’t teach. Maybe I’ll plant an orchard and sell apples or pies. Maybe I’llmake apple wine so I can get paid to drink all day. Or maybe I’ll clean motel rooms forever just to piss off my parents.”

“Eve,” he shook his head. “You don’t need to have it all figured out.”

I grunted. “Can you tell my parents that?”

He twisted his lips and nodded. “I can.”

“Really?” I couldn’t gauge his sincerity.

“Really.” He nodded toward the door. “Let’s have some of your apple pie and chat with your grandma. I like her.”

“She’s the best.” I followed him to the door, and he turned before opening it, leaving me within inches of bumping into him.

“Just between us, I love your humor. It’s unexpected,” he said.

“Why is that?” I should have stepped back, but Kyle smelled like a good blend of fresh-cut timber and spice.

He stared at my mouth.

My mouth!

I couldn’t help but wet my lips as if he would kiss me. Even though I knew the chance of that hovered around the zero mark.

“Your humor is dry like red wine, but you claim to be so sweet.”

Please keep looking at my mouth.

I could hear my heart racing.

“That just makes me unpredictable,” I whispered because I felt more out of breath than I did after winning a race.

Kyle’s white teeth peeked through his swelling grin. “That you are. You remind me of someone.”

“Who?”

He winked. “Me.”

CHAPTER SIX

THE GEORGIA SATELLITES, “KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF”

Kyle

After I putJosh to bed, I carried the phone onto the deck with the cord slid under the door and sat in a wooden rocking chair.

Adam answered on the second ring. “Hello?”

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