Underneath the Sycamore Tree

Licking my lips, I debate on what to tell him. That I’m not sure I’ll go to college? That I have no clue what I want to do? I would have to explain why I don’t plan things, and it’s not something I like diving into. He may be my favorite teacher, the one person who has been on my side since I started, but that doesn’t mean I want to tell him that my future is tomorrow, not next year. Not five years from now.

“I’ll think about it,” I settle on, giving him the same smile I give everyone when I want them to believe me.

Mr. Nichols seems appeased, because he can’t read my expression like Kaiden. He would know I’m full of it, maybe even thinking the worst.

I wave Nichols goodbye and walk back into the gym. Kaiden glances at me from the sidelines, his hair a sweaty mess as he downs some water from his plastic bottle. Even from a distance, I notice the narrow slits of his eyes as they go from the door to my face. I just wave and settle back into my seat, ignoring the pain in my back and the ache in my joints.

Stretching out my legs, I watch as their practice nears its end and the boys head

to the locker room. Sliding my backpack over my shoulder, I move off the bleachers and wait for Kaiden by the double doors.

Jefferson walks over to me. “Normally don’t like people sitting in on these,” he says gruffly, sliding his clipboard under his arm and crossing them on his chest. “Distracts the boys. Haven’t seen Monroe play so fiercely before though, especially not in practice.”

My eyes widen as he studies me. “Your father married his mother, right?”

I swallow. “Yes, sir.”

“I see them at almost every game,” he comments. “They’re both proud, especially his mother. She’s always cheering the loudest in the stands. I suspect you’ll be joining them from now on?”

“Uh…yes?”

I’m sure Kaiden won’t let me stay home, so the choice isn’t really mine. When he told me I should come to his practice, I tried telling him I had homework to do. Our argument lasted ten minutes before he distracted me with neck and shoulder kisses that led to way more touching than talking.

And here I am.

Reddening just thinking about it, I shift my backpack strap higher on my shoulder. “I know Cam is looking forward to the season starting, even though it’ll be hard for her knowing it’s the last one she’ll see. I hear kids saying it’ll be the best one yet.”

He grins, grabbing his clipboard. “You keep coming, kid, and we’ll wind up on top for sure.”

When my whole face heats up, he chuckles and walks away. Thankfully, Kaiden comes out soon after, freshly showered and back in his jeans and Henley. As we walk to his car, I glance at him and play with my backpack.

Popping my lips, I ask, “Do people think something is going on with us?”

His brow quirks. “Why?”

My lips part, then promptly close.

We get to the car but neither of us gets in. He stares at me from over the top. “Did someone say something to you?”

“Not exactly…”

“Was it Nichols?”

“What?”

His jaw ticks. “I saw you two talking outside the gym earlier. Did he say something to you?”

Is he…? I giggle. “Are you jealous? Of Mr. Nichols?”

He looks irritated. “Don’t be stupid.”

I laugh. “You so are.” I shake my head and get in the car, setting my bag down and wait for him to join me. “Your coach just made a comment about coming to the games so you keep playing the way you did today.”

His shoulders loosen. “Is that all?”

Rolling my eyes, I shrug. “It was just how he said it. It’s like he assumed you played better because I was there. I don’t know, it seemed weird. He knows I’m your stepsister.”

“So what did Nichols want?”