little too old for this kind of
thing？〃
〃Yeah。 He was supposed to go to college； but he stayed。 And no one gave him
any crap about it； either。
The whole council pitched a fit when my sister turned down a partial
scholarship and got married。 But； oh
no； Sam Uley can do no wrong。〃
His face was set in unfamiliar lines of outrage—outrage and something else I
didn't recognize at first。
〃It all sounds really annoying and strange。 But I don't get why you're
taking it so personally。〃 I peeked
over at his face； hoping I hadn't offended him。 He was suddenly calm； staring
out the side window。
〃You just missed the turn；〃 he said in an even voice。
I executed a very wide U…turn； nearly hitting a tree as my circle ran the
truck halfway off the road。
〃Thanks for the heads…up；〃 I muttered as I started up the side road。
〃Sorry； I wasn't paying attention。〃
It was quiet for a brief minute。
〃You can stop anywhere along here；〃 he said softly。
I pulled over and cut the engine。 My ears rang in the silence that followed。
We both got out； and Jacob
headed around to the back to get the bikes。 I tried to read his expression。
Something more was bothering
him。 I'd hit a nerve。
He smiled halfheartedly as he pushed the red bike to my side。 〃Happy late
birthday。 Are you ready for
this？〃
〃I think so。〃 The bike suddenly looked intimidating； frightening； as I
realized I would soon be astride it。
〃We'll take it slow；〃 he promised。 I gingerly leaned the motorcycle against
the truck's fender while he
went to get his。
〃Jake〃I hesitated as he came back around the truck。