The Apple Tree (Sunday Morning, #2) (58)

“I like the world through her eyes. I like her young, wild heart, and I think it would be tragic if she ever conformed to anything but staring at the stars, picking apples, and …” I trailed off, slowly shaking my head.

Making love in wildflower fields.

“She doesn’t take herself too seriously. She’s perfectly content cleaning rooms at a motel like it never occurred to her that everyone else her age is falling in line to get an education so they can live the American dream—whatever that is. Sometimes, I think she’s not the best role model for Josh because her standards are so low, but other times, I think the world might be a better place if more people like Eve were content with being themselves. Let living be the dream and work be an afterthought.”

I quoted the young woman who refused to think math teachers were admirable because she wasn’t thinking clearly about what the word meant. That made me smile because Eve was brave and admirable; she just didn’t see that in herself yet.

“How much have you had to drink tonight?”

I laughed. “Not enough.”

“Just don’t do anything stupid. Don’t think with your dick; that’s my MO, and don’t fool yourself into thinking there’s even a tiny chance that her dad will give the two of you his blessing. Are we clear?”

“We’re clear,” I sighed as something moved to my left.

Eve sauntered toward the stairs in baggy gray sweats, a pink hoodie, and a bottle of booze in her hand.

“I gotta go,” I said.

“Alright. Later, man,” Adam said.

I stood, eyeing Eve as she stopped at the bottom of the stairs, taking a drink of clear liquid from a glass bottle. I set the dog on his feet to go to her before I quietly opened the back door, set the phone on the counter, and returned to the deck.

“It’s past your curfew,” I said.

“I know. That’s why I had to sneak out.” She wasn’t slurring her words, so she was only one or two sheets to the wind.

“Where did you get this?” I sat on the steps and leaned forward, taking her bottle of tequila as the dog jumped to sniff it.

“In the old milk box by the garage.” She grinned, picking up Clifford. “In plain sight. It’s where my mom keeps a planter, but no one ever looks inside.”

“Is this leftover from Drew’s dad’s place?”

Her lips pursed into duck lips. “No. I have a new supplier.”

“Who?”

She shook her head. “Nope. Can’t tell you, Mr. Collins. You can’t be trusted.”

I narrowed my eyes and tried not to laugh. “I can’t be trusted?”

“You’re a mandatory reporter.”

I laughed. “I’m not sure that applies. And you’re not my student or a minor.”

She let the squirmy dog down and reached for the bottle as I held it just out of reach.

“Can I ask why?” I stared at the bottle, wondering how often she drank.

“Why what?”

“Why do you drink this shit?” I took a swig. It was cheap tequila. Horse piss.

“Because it’s free.”

“So are STDs. I mean, why do you drink cheap alcohol all by yourself at eleven at night?”

She shrugged. “I like the buzz.”

“Do you like the headache in the morning?”

“Nothing two ibuprofen can’t handle.”

“You’re awfully small to drink hard liquor. A few ounces of this adds up to several cans of beer.”

“Must we do math tonight?” She stepped onto the bottom stair and reached for the bottle again.

I pulled it away.

“Hey!” She lunged at me as I emptied the bottle over the side of the railing.

“Shh!” I let the bottle fall to the ground so I could catch her.

“That was—”

I pressed my hand over her mouth so she didn’t wake anyone.

“I need you to be quiet so you don’t wake anyone who might tell your parents about your jailbreak tonight. Do you want to be grounded again?”

Kneeling on the step between my legs, eyes wide, she shook her head.

I removed my hand from her mouth and brushed the hair away from her eyes. “You can’t be here,” I whispered, not wanting her to leave, but I knew someone could wake up and open the door behind me without warning.

She frowned. “You don’t want me here.”

“Baby, I want you everywhere I am.” I stroked her cheek with the pad of my thumb. “But that’s not a good idea right now.”

She turned into my touch, kissing my palm. “You can’t call me ‘baby’ and send me home.” She closed her eyes as my hand slid down her neck. “You can’t touch me like you did today and send me home.”

“I’m sending you home because I’m scared of never getting to touch you like that again if we get caught.”

Eve opened her eyes. “Let’s be brave together and not care what anyone thinks.”

I smiled. “I’ll walk you home.”

She stuck out her bottom lip.

“I’m going to bite that lip if you insist on tempting me with it.” I stood, taking her hand and whistling at Clifford, who was eager to follow us toward the hill.