Page 45 of Chasing Sunrise

“Because if it’s from my bullying you into camping, I feel bad.” Big raindrops began falling from the gray sky. He stepped back under the awning in front of the school building.

“Don’t feel bad. You didn’t bully me.”

“I made you a deal you couldn’t refuse. And the night turned out to be pretty cold.”

“I loved every minute of camping.”

If that were true, he wondered why she hadn’t stayed longer. Like she’d promised, as soon as the sun came up, she bolted. Leaving him with the memory of her laughter, her warm body close to his, and her sweet scent. He found the next four days without her boring.

“You’re not responsible for my sickness,” she insisted. “I’m around thousands of kids every day, I likely caught a virus.” Shuffling came over the phone. “They just called my name. I’ve got to go. Bye.”

He kept the phone to his ear.

Dre came out of the school.

Feeling like an idiot, Kasey lowered his phone and pocketed it.

“Amanda not want the burger?”

“She’s out sick today. We’ll drop the food off to the homeless guy who lives under the Fry Road bridge.”

“I have some meal bars under the seat too,” Dre said.

Since they were driving age, when they saw a homeless person on the streets, they’d buy them food.

Once Dre dropped him off at his parents’ house, Kasey entered through the back door. His mother, who was wiping the kitchen table, hurried over and hugged him. “It’s good to see you.”

He’d driven back to town early this morning, and Dre picked him up before his parents woke. “Sorry, I haven’t been around much since I got here.”

She shrugged. “You warned me I wouldn’t see much of you this trip. I understand, honey.”

Kasey sat at the table.

“You hungry?”

“Not really.” He and Dre had eaten before going to the school. “Don’t go to any bother.”

“If a mother can’t be bothered by her favorite son, who can she be bothered by?”

“Her other four favorite sons.” He smirked. “We know you tell each of us we’re your favorite.”

“Youareall my favorite—for different reasons.”

“What’s my reason?”

She smiled. “You, my Kasey, take life as it comes. You’re my realist. It’s also why I worry about you more than the others.”

Why would she worry about him?

She rinsed a couple of coffee cups and put them in the dishwasher. “I worry because I’m afraid you’re going to turn into a cynic.”

I’m already a cynic.

“My hope is you’ll meet and fall in love with someone who sees life differently than you do. Maybe someone who might slow you down. Someone who’s at least an optimist.”

“Then it’s a good thing Harper chose Ethan.”

“Yes, you two are too much alike. She might even be more jaded than you are.”

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