The Apple Tree (Sunday Morning, #2) (19)

“No.” He said without backing away from me. “I’ll pack snacks next time.”

“What time is your morning practice done?”

“Eleven.”

“I can go into the motel later and return by the time you leave for the second practice.”

“Then you won’t make as much money if you finish your work in less time.”

I shrugged. “I don’t pay rent.”

He eyed me with contemplation. “Are you sure?”

I nodded. “It’s just for a few days. You can buy me some beer or wine coolers, and we’ll call it even.”

He grinned. “I have to draw a line. And that’s a hard one. I won’t be providing you with any alcohol.”

“You’re no fun.” I frowned.

“Because I had bologna for dinner instead of lasagna. You threw my fun in the trash.”

I laughed. “That was your own fault. Now, when are you going to teach me something new?”

Had he not stared at my mouth, my mind would not have gone to anything sexual, but he did. And my face filled with heat.

“We can go fishing after dinner tomorrow if your sister will babysit Josh.”

“I’ll ask her.”

“No.” He pinched the bridge of his nose and laughed. “You’re already failing at this. If I’m taking you fishing, and we’re not telling anyone, then you need to have other plans tomorrow night, hence why I will ask Gabby if she can watch Josh.”

I leaned forward until there were about six inches between our faces, and he didn’t move, which thrilled me. “Or I can ask her and tell her you asked me first, and when I said I had plans, I told you I’d check with her for you.” I grinned.

Gah!

Again, he stared at my mouth, and I could practically taste his lips. My heart skipped so many beats that I wasn’t sure it would recover.

His gaze inched up to mine. “Can you watch Josh tomorrow night for me?”

“No.” I grinned.

“Why not?”

“Because I’m going out with friends. But I can see if Gabby can watch him for you.”

He smiled. “Attagirl.”

“I’m going to be your best unofficial student, Mr. Collins.”

“Straight A’s?”

I hopped off the fence. “I’ve never gotten straight A’s.” I headed toward the house so he wouldn’t see me drool over him, melt at his feet, and lose all my dignity because I had an incurable crush on my neighbor.

“You’ve never had me as your teacher,” he said.

Oh my god …





CHAPTER EIGHT





CHAKA KHAN, “I FEEL FOR YOU”





Eve

“Eve? You’re going to be late. What are you doing?” Mom called upstairs the next morning.

Gabby was an easy sell to watch Josh. My parents didn’t think twice about my plans to go out with friends. But before any of that could happen, I had motel rooms to clean and babysitting to do while Kyle coached.

However, my infatuation with Coach Collins grew exponentially overnight, and I couldn’t show up to his place looking like the previous day’s version of myself. I needed to curl my hair, lotion my legs (in case he wanted to touch them again), and wear something nice.

“Why is your hair down? And why are you wearing that white blouse to work?” Mom quizzed me the second I stepped into the kitchen to grab a quick bowl of cereal.

I didn’t need my mom to grill me. I’d already met my quota of lies, yet she insisted I tell one more.

“I’m going to change my clothes before I go to work. Most of my work clothes have stains, and I think they smell like Pledge even though they’ve been washed. I’m just putting my best foot forward so Kyle trusts that I’m responsible and presentable while I babysit Josh.”

I didn’t believe my lie and never imagined my mom would.

But she did. “That’s very mature of you.” She smiled with pride.

“Thanks. I’m trying.”

“Martha Wertz, Tali Rae, and Denise Overton have all called me about Kyle,” Mom said.

“Why?” I screwed the cap back on the milk.

Mom dried her hands and grinned. “Because they are single and found out he is too.”

I wrinkled my nose. “Are you serious?”

“Why the look?” She sat next to me at the table and sipped her coffee.

“He just moved in. Talk about vultures.” I shoveled cereal into my mouth so I wouldn’t be late to Kyle’s.

“Eve, they’re not stalking his place. And I’m sure he doesn’t want to stay single for the rest of his life. Josh deserves a motherly figure in his life, and Kyle deserves a wife.”

“So why did they call you? Are you supposed to be a matchmaker?”

“No. They just wanted to know if he was divorced or widowed.”

“And what did you say?” I mumbled over a mouthful of cereal while milk dribbled down my chin.

Mom frowned and handed me a napkin. “I said he’s neither.”

“What do you mean? And how do you know?”

“Your dad talked to Fred the other day. Josh’s mom wasn’t ready to be a mother, but she had him anyway.”