Summer Sweat (Spruce Texas)

“Gems can’t have her party without a cake,” I protest.

“S’what I said, but your mom—”

“We got that covered,” says Harrison suddenly.

I turn to him, lifting an eyebrow. “We do?”

“Yep. My best friend’s hubby. T&S’s. They have premades, sell them every day. I’m sure he’s got something.” Harrison parts from us with his cell phone out, taps a name, then brings it to his ear. “Hey, Billy? Sorry to bug you, but—Yeah, I’m great, thanks! How are the boys? … Hah, of course! Gotta cherish those teenage years. Hey, I got a favor to ask you …”

My stepdad crosses his arms and leans against the doorframe. “He was nice, to take you back on the farm. Didn’t expect it.”

I give my father a look. “He’s more than nice. He’s got a heart the size of Alaska and gives me more chances than I deserve.”

“Summer didn’t have to be this way, y’know.”

I roll my eyes. “Not this talk again.”

“Kept telling you this whole past year, if you hadn’t gotten all caught up with that drama, paid more attention to your grades …”

“Really? We’re having this talk now …? I’m here for my sister’s birthday party, not for a lecture.”

“You keep on puttin’ me off and off, but if you done taken me more serious when it mattered most …”

The more angry he gets, the thicker his southern twang gets, yet his voice never becomes raised. I wonder if I’ve ever heard him shout. “Too late for that, isn’t it? I’m making a man out of myself on the farm. You’re just not there to see the progress I’ve made.”

“Seems a bit too little, too late, son.”

“Funny, you only call me your son when you’re tryin’ to make me feel small.”

He gives me a harsh look at first. It softens as he thinks on it some more. “That ain’t true,” he finally says, but I hear the doubt in his voice as he averts his gaze.

“Got it!” exclaims Harrison suddenly, pocketing his phone and returning to us, beaming. “Billy isn’t at the Shoppe right now, but he just confirmed that someone else had to cancel their birthday order on account of a sick kid, so there’s one fresh premade cake waiting for us. Can’t say what it looks like, but a cake’s a cake, right? I can go pick it up now.”

“We’ll go pick it up.” I nod at my stepdad. “Don’t tell her we’re doin’ this. It’ll be a little surprise. No, no, it’s alright,” I say over his mild protests. “Harrison and I will go pick up the cake and be right back to save the day. How do I spell my sister’s name again? Just kiddin’. See you in a bit.”

My stepdad, slightly bewildered, gives us both a vague wave and a, “See you soon,” as we head back to the truck, then returns to peering off left and right, still waiting on the pizza guy.

In the truck, Harrison gazes at me. “You alright?”

“Yep.”

“You seem tense. Did you and your dad—?”

“Stepdad.” I cringe at myself. I only ever say that in the same way he only ever calls me “son” to condescend me. I shrug it off, force a smile, and insist on a mood change. “So how do you like being my unpaid, super-handsome chauffeur tonight?”

He smirks. “Chauffeur? Is that what I am?”

“Don’t forget the ‘super-handsome’ part. You’re in this with me until the end.” I look at him. “Hope you won’t think twice about comin’ out with me next time I ask.”

“I will.” He starts the engine. “I’ll think three times.”

And we hit the road again.

It feels like returning home as we head down Main Street, straight through the heart of Spruce. After spending so much time out on the farm, I welcome the familiar sight of the storefronts. Each one has its own charm, and I know most of the families that run them. The best part about Main Street is there are no fast food chains or brand names anywhere to be found; it’s all mom-and-pop shops, locally-owned businesses, and places I’ve known since I was a kid.

T&S’s, or the Tucker & Strong Sweet Shoppe, is the go-to spot for all things sweet and delicious. In other words: the place where every well-meaning diet on Earth goes to die. Harrison pulls up to the front, cuts his engine, and the pair of us step out.

I barely make it to the door before I hear my name. “Hoyt!”

I turn. To my surprise, my high school pal Julio is there, along with his girlfriend Stacey, and another former teammate Lee, who happens to be Toby’s stepbrother. The trio of them seem to be in the middle of an evening on the town. Julio is a thickly muscled guy with big, powerful legs, a golden brown complexion, shaven head, and the most keen-looking, observant eyes on our football team. Stacey is a curly redhead with ivory skin that flushes rosy-pink at the cheeks, with sharp green eyes circled by an abundance of dark mascara tonight. Lee is a tall and towering stick of a guy, tanned, messy-haired, with a permanently lazy look in his eyes.