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Kaden dug his hands into his pockets. “He wasn’t too delighted. Told me I should pick a subject that would bring payback in the future. When I moved here, he cut me off from all support.”

“What?” I blurted out.

Kaden just raised his shoulders.

“Just because your dreams don’t match his doesn’t mean he should leave you in the lurch. I mean, you’re his son!”

“I can manage without him.” Kaden avoided my glance; he just reached up and fiddled with his cap.

“What an ass,” I sniffed, but regretted my outburst immediately. “Oh, I didn’t mean to say that. I only wanted… ”

“It’s okay.” He gave me a crooked grin and his caramel-brown eyes twinkled in the sun. “I like it when you talk that way.”

My cheeks grew warm as he looked at me. Crazy how many emotions could flow through one body within such a short time.

“I… I want to change the lives of young people.” The words came out of their own accord; they just tumbled out of me. I’d never told anyone about it before. “Naive, I know. But school years are the toughest time in life for so many. Aside from the fact that I also really like teaching, I want to be someone they can come to if they need to talk. I want to show them what’s really important in life. I want to… ” I hesitated. The rushing sound I’d heard earlier had grown louder, and I continued heading toward its source.

“What do you want to do?” asked Kaden, close behind me. He didn’t sound judgmental or bored, like my parents always were when I tried talking with them about my dreams.

“I don’t only want to teach them what’s in the lesson plan. There are so many values that aren’t part of the curriculum and that get lost along the way. So many teenagers have no one who cares, no one they can trust. I want to be that someone for them, someone they can come to if they need guidance. I just want to have a positive effect on these kids. To give them something that they might not be getting at home. And help them get back on the right track if they need it.”

Kaden had moved to walk next to me. He glanced at me sidelong, and my whole face felt red-hot. But the more I said, the better I felt. It did me good to share these thoughts.

“I like your plans,” Kaden said after a pause. “It’s hard to find teachers who put their heart into their work, who think seriously about their students.” He threw me another glance. “I think you’ll be a great teacher.”

“Do you really mean it?” I blurted out.

Kaden shrugged and grinned. “You know how to talk without stopping; I think that’s a good prerequisite. Most teachers love to hear themselves talk.”

I made a face at him and promptly stumbled on a root. Kaden grabbed my arm and supported me. Once my footing was sure, he let me go.

“Besides, then you’ll have the honor of playing the lead actress in lots of wet dreams.” He raised his eyebrows.

“Kaden!” I cried.

“With your legs, it wouldn’t be long before the drooling, pre-pubescent fuckers crowd into the front row.”

“Sounds like you know this from personal experience.” I couldn’t hold back my own grin any longer.

“Oh, I was harmless in high school.”

He frowned.

“But not anymore,” I ventured.

Kaden noticed my questioning glance. “No, not anymore,” he said, with a sly grin. “Harmlessness is overrated. It’s no fun.”

I shook my head. “Then it’s true, what they say about you.”

“What do they say about me?” he asked, suddenly turning to his right. The sound of water noise was even louder now, and he had to raise his voice.

I remembered the stories about Kaden that had made the rounds on campus, and decided not to answer his question in too much detail.

“They say you’re a heartbreaker,” I said, panting as I tried to pull myself up by a rock.

“Women always know what they’re getting into with me. But in the end, men are always the bad guy,” he said.

I rolled my eyes at him. “So I shouldn’t be surprised if you fall flat on your face. Fooling around without any commitments—it can’t last.” I yelled as I slipped and lost my hold on the rock.