Just Like That (The Kings)

The drive into town was filled with Teddy talking nonstop from the back seat of JP’s car. For our trip from Chicago to Michigan, I’d picked up a Random Facts Every Kid Should Know book.

I had regrets.

Teddy flipped a page. “Did you know that tarantula spiders can survive two and a half years without food?”

I turned to look at him. “Is that true?”

He gestured with the book and lifted a shoulder. “Apparently.”

I shivered. “Yeesh. No thanks.”

Teddy read another fact aloud. “The human body has six hundred muscles . . . but that includes your heart, tongue, and the muscles you need to not pee your pants.”

A shotgun burst of laughter exploded from my chest.

As we drove, I stared out the passenger-side window and tried not to focus on the veins on the back of JP’s hand or the way the corded muscles of his forearms flexed as he gripped the steering wheel.

Or any of his other six hundred muscles.

JP looked at Teddy in the rearview mirror. “You think I could borrow that book sometime?”

I glanced over at him. “Doing some light reading?”

A muscle flicked in his cheek. “Nah. It’s payback.”

My eyebrows raised.

JP continued, “One time Royal got ahold of Duke Sullivan’s phone number and began spamming him with random cat facts just to mess with him. It was shockingly effective.”

A small laugh bubbled inside me. “But payback?”

His hand gripped the steering wheel. “A long while ago, the Sullivans got me pretty good. They’d hidden these little devices everywhere that emitted a cricket’s chirp. That damn chirp followed me around for weeks. I thought I was losing my mind until I found one under the seat of my car.”

My fingers pressed to my lips. “That’s hilarious and actually quite brilliant. Do you know who did it?”

His eyes narrowed, and I hated to admit that seeing a vengeful JP was kind of hot. “Kate planted it but I am fairly positive Lee was behind it. He’s due for some payback.”

“So, revenge after all this time?” I asked.

He pinned me with his icy stare, and a shiver slid down my spine. “I’m a very patient man when it comes to getting what I want.”

My lips pressed together to hide a smile. I settled back into the plush leather seat and soaked in the rolling hills and rambling blueberry fields bursting with dark, ripe blueberries.

From the back seat, Teddy changed topics. “Can we pick blueberries sometime?”

My smile widened. It was nice to see him venturing beyond his typical interests and wanting to try something new.

“I have always wanted to do that! I think it would be fun,” I answered.

JP’s eyes flicked to meet Teddy’s in the rearview mirror. “Sullivan Farms has U-pick hours. I can ask Sylvie if we see her today, and we’ll set something up.”

Teddy grinned. “Thanks, Dad.”

My eyes flicked to JP. His jaw flexed, and he shifted in the same uncomfortable way he always did when Teddy called him Dad—like it physically pained him.

When we made it to town, JP took a side road and parked behind the row of downtown buildings in a parking lot marked for employees only.

I raised an eyebrow as he parked. “Special treatment?”

“Royal owns the tattoo shop, but I own the building.” JP shifted the car to park and got out.

Teddy scrambled to unbuckle and I followed suit. As we rounded the car, a woman came out of the back entrance to the tattoo parlor. She had bleached blond hair that was nearly white. Her tank top revealed arms that were covered in intricate floral designs, and her chunky black combat boots thudded on the concrete. When she smiled at JP, diamond studs in her cheeks that matched the ones lining her earlobes glinted in the late-morning sun.

“Hey, JP!” she called with a wave before pulling a pack of cigarettes from her purse.

JP nodded. “Luna.”

Luna’s eyes moved from JP to me and then down to Teddy. Her smile lifted at the corner. “Family outing?”

JP stuffed his hand into the pocket of his slacks. “Something like that.”

“Smoking is bad for you,” Teddy announced.

Luna lit her cigarette and raised her chin to blow her smoke away from us. “Don’t I know it.” She looked at the burning ember at the end of the cigarette. “Been trying to quit for a while now, but this week is kicking my ass.”

I shrugged. “Mercury, Pluto, Saturn, and Neptune are all in retrograde. Plus, Uranus is on deck. It’s a stacked deck right now.”

JP blinked at me, but Luna’s face lit up as she said, “Will you marry me?”

I laughed. “I’m in no place to marry you right now, but I’m always open to a friend.” I stepped forward and extended my hand. “I’m Hazel.”

With her cigarette dangling between her lips, she shook my hand. “Luna.”

I gestured toward her cigarette. “You can always try St. John’s wort tea, but it tastes atrocious. A tincture of lavender oil, lime, black pepper, and angelica has also been known to help with nicotine cravings.” I racked my brain for what else might help her. “Oh! Lepidolite in your pocket, if you have it on hand.”

Luna pulled her phone from the back pocket of her plaid miniskirt. “What was it again?”

I smiled. “If you want, I can mix a small batch up for you and bring it to the tattoo shop sometime. I think I have everything already . . . though I’m getting a little low on lavender oil. There aren’t any spiritual shops in town, are there?”

“Unfortunately not. You have to drive to Kalamazoo for any good metaphysical supplies.” She gestured with her phone. “Thanks.”

“Anytime.” I smiled, feeling like I’d met my first kindred spirit in Outtatowner. “It’s nice to share with someone who gets it.”

Luna grinned back. “I’m a bit of a spiritual channeler myself, so you’re in good company.” Her attention landed on JP, and she winked at him before stubbing out her cigarette. “You are in so much trouble.”

“Okay, let’s go.” JP gently herded Teddy’s shoulders away from the store toward the alley that would lead us to the Main Street sidewalk.

His phone rang and he pulled it from his pocket. Instead of answering it, he silenced the ringer and dropped it back into the pocket of his pants. It immediately rang again, and he ignored it.

As we walked through the alley with Teddy between us, his phone rang again, but this time he silenced it before returning it to his pocket.

“Trouble in paradise?” I asked.

He shook his head. “Just work.”

“But it’s a Sunday.” Teddy gazed up at him with a frown, and it was uncanny how similar the two looked.

JP sighed and nodded.

I leaned down to Teddy, whispering loud enough for JP to hear my teasing. “When you’re a billionaire CEO, every day is a workday, apparently.”

“I’m not a billionaire,” he grumbled. “The company is closing in on the billion-dollar threshold. Not me.”

I blinked at him. “And who runs the company?”

JP’s face twisted. The pissy look was back, and I stifled a laugh.

“Ha! Exactly.” Changing the subject, I inhaled deeply as we exited the alley and stepped onto the sidewalk that ran along Main Street. “Mmm. Smell that, Teddy? I think we’re close.”

Teddy mimicked my inhale, sucking in a deep breath and holding it with round, excited eyes.

JP pointed to the storefront next to Royal’s tattoo shop. “It’s right next door.”

When we reached the Sugar Bowl, JP held open the door for us and I slipped inside, whispering thank you as I passed him. His politeness was unnerving. I could handle his bitchy attitude, but when he was considerate and a gentleman, it set me off-kilter.

Inside the Sugar Bowl, patrons were lined up, waiting to order. The bakery was cozy but bright and open with sunshine streaming through the huge picture window in front. Countertop seating with high-top stools lined the window, and nearly all the other tables in the place were filled with people. Chatter folded around us as we stepped forward in line.

My stomach grumbled at the sweet smell of freshly baked pastries and rich, hot coffee.

JP focused his attention on Teddy. “They’ve got all kinds of pastries—doughnuts, croissants, cinnamon rolls, that kind of thing. I suggest the morning buns. They’re a little messy with the cinnamon and sugar, but the best thing on the menu.”

Nerves tittered through me as I became acutely aware of curious glances and whispers. I tugged at the hemline of my denim cutoffs. Next to JP in his perfectly tailored slacks and a crisp white dress shirt with rolled sleeves, I looked downright disheveled. Even Teddy was wearing a collared shirt.

I lifted my chin and tried not to feel the stares, but gossipy eyes bounced between Teddy, JP, and me. My palms went slick as I felt more and more uncomfortable the longer we stood in line—a conveyor belt proudly displaying how out of place I was as we moved up the line.

I stood behind Teddy, hoping his small seven-year-old body could shield me from their curious looks.

JP leaned in, and the smell of his rich cologne rolled over me. “What’s wrong?” he whispered.

“Nothing,” I lied through a forced smile.

He leaned in again and I was given another delicious hit of his masculine scent. “Don’t lie to me.”

The unexpected command in his voice made sparks ignite under my skin, and my cheeks flamed white-hot.

I swallowed and tried to smile. “They’re staring at me.”

He was so close and didn’t move away. “Who is?”

“Everyone,” I said through a gritted half smile.

JP moved a fraction closer to me, and I could feel the heat pumping off his body. He looked around, and a soft chuckle rumbled in his chest.

His breath floated over my ear, and goose bumps erupted along my arms. “They aren’t staring at you. They’re staring at me.”

My eyes flicked up to his. Up close, they weren’t the icy, soulless blue I’d initially thought. They were a riot of cerulean and subtle green—a complex and intoxicating hue that drew me in and enchanted me. “Why would they be staring at you?”

His eyes moved over my face, pausing on my mouth for the briefest moment. “It’s not every day they see the heartless face of King Equities walking among them.”

I chuckled at his self-deprecating assessment. “Too busy striking fear into the hearts of the peons to leave your tower?”

“Something like that.” He sighed and tucked his hands into his pockets as he rocked back on his heels. “More like putting out fires and doing what I can to clean up the mess my father left me.”

I studied JP’s face as he stepped away and stared ahead. I wanted to ask a thousand questions about his father—Are the rumors true? How much did you know? Are you okay?

Instead, the words clogged in my throat and I stayed silent. The line moved forward, and I smiled at Sylvie behind the counter.

She was taking orders at the register, and when we made it to the front of the line, her smile grew. “Good morning!”

“Hey, Aunt Sylvie,” Teddy said as though addressing his newfound family was the simplest thing in the world.

JP exhaled and scrubbed the back of his neck, but her hand flew to her chest as she looked at me. “Oh, that’s just the cutest.” She blinked away tears and smiled at him. “How are you, Teddy?”

“Hungry.” He grinned. “Dad and I tried to make pancakes, but he said culinary skills were outside his wheelhouse.”

Sylvie chuckled and nodded. “Sadly, it’s true.” She gestured to the display case bursting with a variety of freshly baked pastries, pies, and doughnuts. “What looks good?”

Teddy and I looked over the glass display case with wide, hungry eyes. Teddy wanted to try a raspberry jam Danish, and I opted for an old-fashioned cake doughnut along with a hazelnut praline latte.

“For you?” she asked her brother.

JP shook his head before reaching into his back pocket. “I’m fine.”

Without him asking for it, Sylvie slipped a morning bun for JP into the white paper bag. She gave him a small smile. “On the house.”

He slid his wallet out of his pocket and handed over his credit card. “Thanks, Syl.”

I wondered if JP knew how lucky he was to be surrounded by siblings. Olive was all I had and she was gone. I hadn’t appreciated her nearly enough while she was alive. Now it was too late, and every day her absence made itself known in the tiniest, most heartbreaking ways.

I handed Teddy the bag, and he reached in and took a bite of his Danish. He stood off to the side while we waited for my coffee.

“Are you coming to the Fireside Flannel Festival?” Sylvie asked as the barista handed her the paper cup with my coffee.

“What’s that? Will Penny be there?” Teddy asked around another hearty bite. Red jam clung to his lower lip in an unusual show of his actual age.

Sylvie slid a cardboard sleeve onto the to-go cup and handed it to me across the counter. “Penny wouldn’t miss it. There are beach bonfires, music, craft vendors, a carnival.” Her eyebrows waggled at him. “With school starting up after Labor Day, it’s like our little kickoff to fall. Are you excited to start school soon?”

Shame jabbed at my gut.

Fuuuuuck.

I had been so focused on having an adventurous, carefree summer with Teddy. Then I found my sister’s letter and focused everything on getting us here and finding JP. I hadn’t even remembered that I was supposed to enroll him in school.

I didn’t even know where to begin. Did I just walk him up to the building and send him on his way? Surely he wasn’t just supposed to walk in on the first day unannounced. Did he need things like pencils and folders? When even was the first day?

A thousand questions folded over one another as I was rooted in panic, unsure of even where to begin.

“Mom homeschooled me,” Teddy announced, and I blanched.

“Um . . .” I started. Having exactly zero teaching experience, any amount of me teaching Teddy anything was bound to be an utter disaster.

JP stepped in, and I had never felt such bittersweet relief. “Hazel’s getting everything lined up. He’ll be all set for second grade.”

Sylvie blinked at her brother, surprise flickering over her soft features.

“Oh, that’s great.” Sylvie’s nervous laugh wobbled. “Well, the Bluebirds help plan everything for the Fireside Flannel Festival. We meet on Wednesdays at the bookstore. You should come, Hazel.”

I couldn’t pinpoint why, but I felt a blossoming kinship with Sylvie. Maybe it was because she was so kind and loving toward Teddy. She’d accepted him—and me—with zero hesitation. Maybe it was because she was a mom who seemed to have her shit together and I could learn a thing or seven from her.

“Okay, yeah. I’ll think about it.” I raised my coffee cup. “Thanks.”

With nowhere to sit, we opted to enjoy our late-morning breakfast down by the marina. As we walked, I indulged in a brief, silent mental breakdown.

I considered Sylvie’s invitation along with the implications of Teddy and me staying in Outtatowner long enough for him to start the school year.

Is it terrible parenting to have a kid start school and then leave? What if we wanted to try a new city—what then? Is there some online option he could do? But then what about making friends? Would he be destined to be the weird, antisocial kid if he wasn’t in a class with his peers? He is already delightfully quirky. What if the kids don’t understand or accept him? Olive would have known exactly what to do . . .

I could feel the panic mounting due to my lack of preparation, but I shoved it down and tried to remain calm.

“So what are the Bluebirds?” I finally asked, wondering what I might have gotten myself into by tentatively accepting Sylvie’s invitation.

JP smiled as though walking as a trio was the most natural thing in the world. He ignored the sidelong, curious glances that had followed us out of the Sugar Bowl, but I could still feel their eyes on my back.

As we walked down the sidewalk toward the lakefront, he lifted a shoulder. “They’re a not-so-secret society of women in Outtatowner who basically run everything behind the scenes. They plot and scheme and it’s all very secretive.” His eyes moved toward me. “You’d fit right in.”

“Hmm.” I smiled at the fact that JP thought I could belong.

What would it be like if we stayed, just for a little while?

I tipped my head toward him. “Is it because I’m a witch?” I teased.

He shook his head and laughed. “It’s because you’re trouble, Hex.”

Enjoying the rare lightheartedness of JP’s mood, I decided not to poke the bear. Instead, I accepted his comment as a compliment.

“Thank you.” I grinned with a nod.

“Exactly my point—you think trouble is fun.” He playfully rolled his eyes. “But if you want to go, Teddy and I can find some trouble of our own.” JP ruffled Teddy’s hair, and my heart clanged against my ribs.

Something was shifting, and I wasn’t entirely sure I wasn’t in a world of trouble when it came to JP King.