Page 91 of Take My Heart
‘Your brother already has someone. Get one of your friends to go with you.’
Jason looks at me. ‘You’re still with Talia? I thought that didn’t work out.’
This is so awkward. But I get why Jason’s confused. I’ve been avoiding him all week, knowing he’ll ask me about the house. He doesn’t know Kate and I have become more than roommates. I’m surprised someone else in the family didn’t tell him. Nick obviously told my parents and Sawyer figured it out when Kate and I came to the brewery the other night. I don’t know how he knew. It’s not like we were sitting close or holding hands. When he asked me how long it’d been going on, I tried to deny it, but he didn’t believe me. My stupid brothers know me too well.
‘Just drop it,’ I say to Jason, giving him a look to shut up.
Mom sighs and says to Kate, ‘I’m sorry, dear. My sons don’t always think before speaking.’
‘It’s fine,’ Kate says, giving her an uncomfortable smile.
‘What am I missing here?’ Jason asks.
Sawyer leans over to Jason and says something to him, so quietly I can’t hear, but I’m guessing it’s that I’m dating Kate.
‘Oh.’ Jason glances at me, then mutters, ‘Sorry.’
I ignore him and talk to Dad. ‘So what’s new at the orchard?’
‘Ask Nick. He’s in charge of it now.’ Dad smiles at Nick.
‘We’re planning for spring,’ Nick says. ‘We’ll be replacing some of the trees that aren’t producing anymore, trying some new varieties.’
‘I’d love to see the orchard,’ Kate says. ‘It sounds beautiful.’
‘There’s not much to see in the winter,’ Nick says. ‘It’ll look a lot better in the spring when the trees are in bloom.’
‘And it’s gorgeous in the fall,’ Lyndsay says. ‘You should come back for the fall festival.’
‘Maybe I will,’ Kate says, glancing at me.
Is she really planning to come back here? I assumed I’d never see her again after she left. I’m not sure I want to if she’s with someone else. As much as I tell myself I don’t have feelings for her, I do, and I don’t want her coming back here if she’s with some other guy.
Nick and Lyndsay tell Kate more about the orchard and the festival, something they could talk about for hours. I’m bored listening to it, but Kate seems really interested and it keeps my family from talking about Kate and me or asking me about the house.
An hour later, I’m finishing my second beer and ready to go home. I love my family, but I see them all the time. I only have a couple weeks left with Kate. I’d rather go home and be alone with her than spend all night here with my family.
‘You want to head out?’ I say to Kate.
‘Already?’
‘Honey, don’t go,’ Mom says to me. ‘You just got here.’
‘I’ve been here for over an hour and I’m tired. It’s been a long week. I worked 15-hour days after the storm ended.’
‘What are you going to do now?’ Nick asks me.
‘What do you mean?’
‘What are you going to do until the next storm?’
‘I don’t know. Probably check my equipment, make sure it’s ready.’
‘Why don’t you work on the house?’ Nick glances at Kate. ‘You’ve got someone willing to help.’
‘I’d love to help!’ Kate says. ‘I’ve been giving Brody all these ideas. I’m obsessed with those home makeover shows.’
‘Well, there you go,’ Dad says. ‘Sounds like you got a plan for next week.’
