Page 7 of How to Kiss a Hawthorne Brother
“I thought you might be carsick,” Tyler says. “You look a little green.”
I feel a little green, but it doesn’t have anything to do with being in the car.
“Did you respond to Kate?” Perry asks, turning in his seat to glare at me over his shoulder.
“Yeah. We’ve been texting back and forth. She’s um,” I clear my throat. “She’s coming home.”
“To visit?” Perry asks. “Or for good?”
I measure my next words carefully. I don’t need a lecture about Kate, and knowing she’ll be around awhile will absolutely make Perry lecture. But I won’t lie to him, and I can’t ignore a direct question.
I clear my throat. “Not for good. But she’ll be around all summer.”
His eyebrows are raised, a question in his eyes. “Living at her grandma’s house?”
“Where else would she live?”
“The house that is exactly three doors down fromyourhouse?”
I sigh. “Perry, just say it.”
“I’m not saying anything,” he says, his tone cautious. “I’m just wondering how you feel about it.”
“I feel like it’ll be great to spend some time with her,” I say, immediately proud of how chill my voice sounds.
“Um, I hate to butt in,” Tyler says, “but who’s Kate?”
“Brody’s high school best friend,” Perry says. “She moved away years ago, but she sure loves to swoop into town once or twice a year and stay just long enough to keep Brody obsessing over her.”
“That’s not what she does,” I say, immediately defensive. “I haven’t seen her in four years. And I’m not obsessed with her.”
Perry shoots Tyler a droll look. “He’s totally obsessed with her. He’s been in love with her since middle school.”
“Please let it go, Perry.” I can’t do this with him. Not when we’re about to spend two weeks hiking together.
He turns his attention back to me. “Fine. But two months from now, when you’re even more in love with her than you are now, and you’re brokenhearted when she leaves again, I’m going to say I told you so.”
“You won’t be saying it because you’re wrong,” I say, hopefully ending the conversation. “Nothing is going to happen.”
I turn my attention back to Kate’s messages. Perry doesn’t know what he’s talking about. I can handle this. I’ll be fine with Kate back in town. Everything will befine.
Brody: Two weeks will be long for you? While you chill in Silver Creek? I’m the one hiking with Perry.
Brody: We’re going to be alone on the trail, Kate.
Brody: All day.
Brody: Every day.
Kate: Do we need a safe word? Something you can text if you need me to come rescue you?
I grin. It’s nice that after four years, we drop right back into our friendship like nothing has changed.
Brody: The word is TACOS.
Kate: A man after my own heart.
Ha. If she only knew.
