Page 6 of How to Kiss a Hawthorne Brother
Getting Kate out of my head might be easier if I didn’t still live in Silver Creek. Reminders of her are everywhere. All over my parents’ farm, in all the places we used to hang out. Every square inch of this place holds a memory with Kate in it.
Still, even if there istruth in what Perry is saying, that isn’t what’s happening with Monica. There’s just nothing there.
I type out a quick response to her first text.
Brody: Thanks for the heads up about the school board meeting.
I completely ignore her second one. I’ve already said everything I could possibly say on the subject.
I switch over to my messages from Kate, my heart rate climbing. There’s absolutely no reason to freak out. I have no idea what triggered her message, but it’s probably something inconsequential.
I havea long history of trying to turn things Kate says or does into more than they are, but I’m too old to do that now.
I finally type out a response as friendly and generic as her message was and send it before I can spend even one extra second thinking about it.
Brody: Hey. Nice to hear from you. How are you?
Her response pops up almost immediately, like she was waiting for me to respond.
Kate: A simple question with a complicated answer. I’m okay, I think. But . . . I’m coming home. I’d love to see you.
The words hit like a punch to the gut.
She’s coming home. To Silver Creek. Weird to hear her call it home because she’s done pretty well at staying away. She’s passed through a few times, but she never stays long enough to even unpack. She used to joke about how different we were when it came to our life plans. How I was the guy who would never leave Silver Creek, the guy who would always play it safe and stay close to home, while she dreamed of traveling to every country on the map.
I wouldn’t exactly call whitewater kayaking the Class V rapids in the Green River Narrows playing it safe, but still, she wasn’t wrong. Iwasthe guy who came back to Silver Creek the minute I graduated college. When I landed a job at the academy, it felt like hitting the jackpot. I’ve never wanted to live anywhere else. Meanwhile, she’s got more stamps in her passport at twenty-eight than most people have in a lifetime.
I key out my response, trying my best to keep things neutral.
Brody: That’s crazy. It’s been a long time.
Again, her response comes through lightning fast.
Kate: It has been a long time. I know I owe you an apology, Brody. But I want to do it in person. There’s so much to explain.
Relief washes over me. I don’t know her reasons for going dark, but I know her well enough to trust that she has a good one.
Brody: You don’t owe me anything. How long are you in town?
Kate: I don’t know, actually. A while? Mom has finally decided to sell Grandma Nora’s house. I’m coming home to clean it up and get it ready. I was hoping you might be able to pick me up from the airport tomorrow night.
Kate grew up living at her grandmother’s, a two-story farmhouse with a big wraparound porch, right down the street from where I live now. Nettie, Kate’s mom, hasn’t lived there full time since right after Kate’s grandma died four years ago, though she’s in town every couple of months checking on the place. I’ve always wondered if she planned to sell.
A pulse of excitement skitters through me. I’m going to see Kate again. Andsoon.
For a split second, I consider bailing on my trip with Perry so I really can pick Kate up at the airport. But that will not go over well with a brother who is already convinced she has me completely whipped.
Brody: Actually, I’m out of town for a couple of weeks. Heading to the Appalachian Trail with Perry.
Kate: WHAT. That sounds amazing! Don’t worry about me then. I’ll figure out a ride. Or just rent a car. But two weeks?! That’s so long.
I run a hand through my hair, the knot in my stomach tightening. How am I ever going to handle two weeks on the trail when I know she’s at home waiting for me?
No.Not waiting forme,exactly. But sheiswanting to see me. And that...
“You okay back there, Brody?” Tyler asks, eyeing me through the rearview mirror.
I’ve been half-listening to their conversation, but I must have zoned out. “What? Yeah. I’m good.”
