Absolutely Not in Love (Sweater Weather, #7; Appies, #2)

by Jenny Proctor

“Has Maddox given any more thought to the cello?” I ask. I’ve been trying to convince my nephew to play—he’ll be at Harvest Hollow Middle next year, and I’d love to have him in class—but so far, he’s been about as enthusiastic as I am about hockey. “Nah. He says he’s okay learning an instrument, but he wants it to be something cool like the drums,” Josh says. “So you’re saying I shouldn’t give him my old cello as a birthday present.” “I’m not saying you can’t,” Josh says. “I’m just saying…he might not like it.” “Fine,” I say as I slide the pizza into the oven. “I give up. No more cello talk. What should I get him instead?” “He’s on a huge Felix Jamison kick right now,” Josh says. “Maybe pick up one of his jerseys?” I jerk when he mentions Felix’s name, and my hand bangs against the top of the oven, burning my knuckle. “Ouch!” I say, followed by a couple of expletives that make me hope Josh doesn’t have me on speakerphone. Though, with the way he’s talking about Maddox’s birthday present, it’s unlikely my nephew is within hearing range. “You okay?” Josh asks. “What did you do?” “I just burned my hand. I’m okay.” I turn on the sink and run cold water over my knuckles. “So, a jersey?” I ask, feigning ignorance. “An Appies jersey?” “Yeah. Jamison. He’s the goaltender, and that’s the position Maddox wants to play, so he’s totally obsessed right now. He’s got his poster on his wall and everything.” I close my eyes. Of course my nephew has my neighbor’s poster on his wall. And of...