The Truth about Us by Janet Gurtler Read Free Book Online Page B

“Girl engines aren’t nearly as good as boys.”
    â€œNot so sure about that,” I tell him.
    â€œBoys rule. Girls drool.”
    I laugh. “That’s what you think now. But wait.” I take a big breath and look at his brother, still having a hard time believing he’s here to eat. As a guest. I don’t know what to say.
    Flynn drags his hand through his hair, moving his long bangs from his eyes. “So, what’d you do to get ‘sentenced’ to this place?” He throws the question back at me.
    Kyle stares up at me with his big eyes. “Were you bad?” he asks.
    â€œWell. Sort of,” I tell Kyle. All three of them stare at me, waiting to hear more, but I won’t say anything else about it. I’m humiliated already. I don’t need to overshare.
    â€œWell. Tough break for you,” Flynn says after a pause. “Being punished by working here.” He rubs the back of his neck without looking at me and turns away. “You see Stella around?” he says to Wilf. “She wants me to fix something in her office.”
    I watch him dismiss me. It bothers me, what he thinks about me. Even if it might be kind of true. I can’t explain it, but I want him to like me. “But you do volunteer here too?” I ask, trying to sound polite, glancing at the ladder he folded up.
    His eyes flash when he turns back. Anger sparks from them. “No. I help out. Big difference.”
    Wilf clears his throat and coughs. “Okay, Flynn. Stella’s probably in her office. You want to leave Kyle here so you can get your work done?”
    Flynn shakes his head. “Kyle can come with me, right, buddy?”
    â€œI’ll stay,” he says. He steps closer to me and reaches for my hand. His is small and trusting inside mine. “Sometimes I’m bad too,” he whispers. I’m like a stick of butter in the heat the way my heart melts for the little guy. I want to hug Kyle and take him home. I think I’ve just fallen in love.
    â€œYou sure?” Flynn says to him. “You can help me. Maybe even use the hammer?”
    â€œNo.” Kyle uses his whole body to shake his head. “Want to stay here.”
    â€œHe’ll be fine,” Wilf tells him.
    Flynn runs his hand through his hair and stares at me. I can’t look away, but he doesn’t have the same problem. He turns to leave. “I’ll come and get you when it’s lunchtime, dude. Behave, okay?” he says to his brother.
    Kyle ignores him and tugs on my hand. “You’re pretty,” he says to me, and my cheeks warm. Flynn mumbles under his breath as he frowns and marches out of the greenhouse.
    â€œWell, that was painful to watch,” Wilf grumbles as he puts the water bottle and towel down. “Awkward as hell. I’d never go back to my teen years.”
    I want to stomp on his foot. “Oh my God,” I say to him. “Please don’t speak.”
    â€œYou shouldn’t say the Lord’s name in vain,” Kyle tells me. He’s frowning. “It’s a commandment.” He points at Wilf. “And you swore.” He looks back to me. “He swears a lot. My mom says he should have soap in his mouth.”
    â€œYou’re right,” I say to Kyle. “He should. You’re pretty smart for a little guy.”
    â€œNot little. I’m five,” he tells me.
    â€œBig,” I say. “Like totally huge.”
    He grins at me, and he’s so adorable, my heart swells some more. I look back to Wilf. He’s staring at us.
    â€œYou’re good with kids?” he asks.
    I frown at him. “Shouldn’t I be?”
    â€œMaybe it changes my opinion of you a little, that’s all.” He reaches his hand out to poke his finger in another pot.
    â€œWhich was what?” I ask.
    He chuckles but ignores me.
    â€œHe thinks you’re pretty,” Kyle offers.
    â€œHa! You’re