Page 49 of The Apple Tree

Liking one’s cousin was gross.

I pushed past him since he wouldn’t move.

“Good. Because I feel bad about yesterday,” he said, following me into the kitchen.

I handed him the butter, and I grabbed the basket of rolls. “You’re family.” All I could muster was a cheesy smile. “Kind of like my cousin. Yesterday didn’t happen because you’re family. My adopted cousin.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Cousins,” he echoed.

I returned a firm nod. “And you teach math which makes you a nerdy cousin at that.” I batted my eyelashes before carrying the rolls to the table while he followed me.

After saying grace, my dad repeated the previous week's behavior by talking Kyle’s head off about football. But Kyle didn’t seem to mind. His passion was palpable.

I wanted to feel a little passion from him too.

Cousin! He’s my cousin.

“Denise wasn’t at church today, but I talked with her yesterday.” Mom squeezed into the conversation, changing it to another topic I didn’t care about. “She wanted me to thank you again for helping her out. She said she had a great evening painting with Josh and chatting with you.”

Kyle finished chewing and blotted his mouth with a napkin. “I was happy to help. And Josh had a good time.”

“She’s great with kids,” Mom added. “And she loves football. You’ll see her at all the games. She even volunteers at the concession stand.”

“Eve loves football too,” Gabby said. “Last year, she went to all of the games.” She smirked.

Mom nodded. “That’s right. You did.”

I shot my sister a stiff smile. She had kept my secret for a whole year, and I thought she would forget about it since it no longer mattered. Instead, she brought it up in front of Kyle, who probably thought I had told her that I liked him.

“Erin went to all of the games too,” I said with a shrug, even though she went to all the games to be with me while I supported my boyfriend, whom my parents never knew about.

“Maybe you can bring Josh to some of the games. He likes football, but I can’t coach and keep an eye on him,” Kyle said.

“She would love that,” Grandma Bonnie answered on my behalf.

I adjusted in my chair and opened my mouth to speak, but my mom interrupted.

“Oh, Denise wouldloveto watch him,” she said before I could speak.

I bit my tongue and shrugged as if I didn’t care who took Josh to the games. When I looked at Grandma, she gave me a look. I wasn’t ready to build the fence.

“It’s good to know I have options,” Kyle said, wiping Josh’s messy face.

“I’ll get the pie and ice cream.” I smiled, scooting back in my chair.

“Gabby, help your sister,” Mom said.

“Let me,” Kyle interrupted, pushing back in his chair. “It’s the least I can do after getting an invitation to dinner two weekends in a row.”

I didn’t wait for him because I didn’t need anyone’s help.

“You must have been dating a player last year,” Kyle said as I retrieved the ice cream from the freezer.

I stiffened a second before turning and kicking the door closed behind me. “Why do say that?” I asked with a slight scoff.

“Because your family implied your interest in football was just last year, and you and Gabby exchanged a look.” He took the ice cream from me, and I pulled the scoop from the drawer by the sink.

I shook my head, opting for no comment.

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