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“Mh, and lick his lower lip one more time “Tastes like chocolate”

“Sounds like crickets…” He side eyes them

“Too le, and he laughs at h

“I don’t know Why can’t we just use fake worms?” he asks

“Well, we could, but for the fish around et into the hammock down there by the lake shore Nobody would notice since there’s so many trees”

His eyes round out, and I snicker

Despite Carl and Mo cool with us, Ezra is still worried about his mom The other day, I tried to broach the topic with hied the subject

“I’ether, so close that our arms brush a few times

“Sixall the pine tree shadows in our path disappear “In six months, we move to wherever you pick, and we can have our own place I can I know you ht be in the dorms”

He givessmile, which looks somehow both wistful and apprehensive

“I’ll pick somewhere in-state,” he says quickly

“No, c’mon I told you this already Pick the best place If I have to move there and just work for sixthat’s good for you is good for ander”

He htful duck face

“I heard o off anywhere but Tuscaloosa”

Ezra arches his brows as we get to the dock “Yeah He , and then it’s just that sophouy, Kip Hollis”

“Plus their scout was telling you that, wasn’t he? Telling you they’ve got a vacancy? I know you said they say that shit to everyone, but I don’t think so They want you to start”

He snorts softly “I don’t know about that”

It’s so funny and ironic how s started with us All the arrogance and bullshit froet underconfidence, but he’s a realist Doesn’t ever strut or brag about his football talent He’s said a few ti hit, one broken ankle or torn shoulder, and it’s over

“I’ame,” he says

“Really?”

He nods, and I get a cricket out for him and bait his hook up

“Auburn wants to talk tomorrow,” he says