Page 41 of Just Like That

I need a favor.

Royal

Uh, oh ... brothers-only text thread. Whose ass is getting beat?

Abel

Why are you the way that you are?

Whip

Childhood trauma is my guess.

I’m serious.

Abel

You’re always serious.

Royal

Look who’s talking.

Whip

While our oldest brothers bicker, what can we do for you, JP?

Hazel wants to go to book club with the Bluebirds.

Abel

And?

Royal

It’s like a rite of passage in this town. Does that mean she’s sticking around, Daddy?

Don’t ever call me that again. I have no idea if she’s planning to stick around, but if she goes to book club tonight, I’m stuck with the kid. He’s a good kid, but I don’t have a clue what to do with a seven-year-old.

Whip

Oh, we got you, Daddy.

Jesus . . . not you too.

Abel

Sorry, man. I’m out. Sloane and I have plans but if it happens again, maybe he’d like to hang with Ben and Tillie sometime.

Royal

The women are all at book club together anyway. We can let him stay up late and watch Big Trouble in Little China or some shit.

Whip

He’s seven.

Royal