Page 60 of Just Like That
Yes, I am fully aware that simple thought made me aterribleperson. The man just found out his mother was actually dead, and all I could think about were the many, many ways he could seek comfort inme.
When JP’s kiss landed at the corner of my mouth, my knees wobbled. I stood in dazed confusion as he pulled back, and a devastating and sad smile hinted at his lips. He turned and walked into the house as I stared at his back, too stunned to move.
Grief still lingered around his heavy shoulders.
My fingers itched to do a tarot reading or burn some white sage or something.
How could the universe be so cruel?
I needed something—anything—to help me understand.
Olive would know exactly what to say.
From my back pocket, my phone rang, and when I looked at it, MJ’s name flashed on the screen.
My chest pinched. “Hey,” I answered. “I am so sorry for what happened today.”
MJ’s voice was thick, and I could tell by her stuffy nose she had been crying. “Thanks. I’m sorry to call so late. I just wanted to check in on JP. How’s he holding up?”
I leaned against JP’s car and looked at the darkened house. I blew out a breath. “I don’t know. He’s okay, maybe? Honestly, I feel like I don’t know him at all. Everything is just so ... awkward.”
MJ’s wry laugh hummed through the line. “I’m not going to lie, no one was more shocked than me when he said you two were moving in. He’s always been so closed off. That’s why I’m worried about him. He could really use a break ... time off from working so hard.”
“You’re a good sister,” I said, my wheels already turning.
MJ sniffled again, but her voice sounded stronger. “He’s different around you and Teddy, you know.”
I fumbled for the right words. “Oh, I don’t know about that. I?—”
“It’s true,” she interrupted. “He’s always been so driven. Determined to succeed. I think it was his way of surviving Dad. With you and Teddy he’s a little softer somehow. Like he can’t make heads or tails of you, and instead of taking charge, it’s like he’s along for the ride.”
I chuckled quietly at her assessment. JP had thrown me for a loop too. When I’d come to Outtatowner to find him, I had expected him to be as flippant and dismissive as he’d been to Olive. I never expected our snippy banter to be so much fun, and I certainly didn’t expect the way his eyes softened or how tender he could be.
“Just ... don’t give up on him, okay?” MJ’s voice was watery again.
“Um ... okay.” It was all I could do to not cry alongside her. “Hey, MJ?”
She hummed.
I picked at my nail polish and gathered the courage to continue. “Look, I know things between your brother and me are kind of weird and your whole family is going through a lot right now ... but if you could use another friend, I’d love to be her.”
I could hear her smile through the phone. “I’d like that too.”
I exhaled a sigh of relief.Why was making friends as an adult always so freaking awkward?
“Thanks again for checking on him for me,” she said.
“You bet.” My eyes glanced up to see the soft light glowing from his bedroom.
We ended the call, and I wrapped my arms around my middle as I stared up at the second-floor window.
JP was controlling, demanding, and stubborn, but there was also a fiercely protective side that I was just getting to know. He was surrounded by people who loved him, even if he sometimes forgot to see it.
Just don’t give up on him.
But what could I possibly do?
Resigned, I pushed off his car and started to walk toward the house. My eyes had landed on my skoolie when the ridiculous, reckless,perfectidea popped into my head.