All That Jazz (Butler Cove #1) Read online

  “Well, you love to irritate me. So why are you complaining?”

  “Who’s complaining? I love our verbal sparring. I just want to know what you think happened that day.”

  “I don’t like people fighting my battles.”

  Joey frowned, looking genuinely confused. “I’m not sure I’ve ever done that for you. But I’m also not sure I wouldn’t help you, if you needed it. I don’t see the problem.”

  “Well, you did it and I don’t like it.”

  He frowned. “Because …?”

  “It makes me feel weak and incapable.”

  Joey let out a snort of laughter, wheezing as his eyes crinkled. “You? Weak? Puh-lease.”

  I squirmed uncomfortably at his complete dismissal of my response.

  “I’ve never seen you as weak, Jazz. Quite the opposite. I value your friendship with my sister because I know she has someone strong at her side. I saw how you were there for her after Mom and Dad in a way I couldn’t be. And I appreciate it more than you know.”

  The problem was I didn’t feel strong, not really. I was the sad girl who missed her dad and hid behind humor and brashness. The girl who just wanted her dad to come home and help her figure out who she was. I often felt like half a person. A person waiting to be actualized. Waiting to get to know the other half of the duo that created her so she could really know herself. It was complete garbage, I knew. Many people didn’t have the luxury of knowing their parents. Conversely, some had the utter misfortune of knowing their parents. I recognized I was in the midst of some angsty, existential coming-of-age moment, and that for sure didn’t make me feel strong. Not at all.

  Or maybe I was due for my period. Yeah, that was it.

  “So what are you doing for the summer?” I asked in a blatant attempt to change the subject.

  “I’m still waiting to hear back on a couple of internships in local doctors’ offices.”

  “Oh, okay cool. No beach patrol for you then this summer?” I was bizarrely disappointed. It was quite fun to be down at the beach when he was lifeguarding. I wasn’t sure why. It wasn’t like we hung out or anything. But knowing him meant I had an excuse to gaze in the general direction of all male lifeguards. Okay, gazing at him. Specifically. Thank God for large, opaque, over-sized shades.

  “Probably, not. You should do it though.”

  I shrugged. “I’ve probably left it too late.”

  “I can put in a good word for you with Lisa, she’s doing the scheduling this year.”

  “Thank you. Anyway, I got a job at the new boutique that opened up near the circle last year. Plus I’m working with Resort Housekeeping again this summer on Saturdays. I have to get over there in a little bit and pick up my list of houses.”

  “You could do all three. The scheduling for beach patrol is pretty flexible.”

  “Maybe. So where did you apply for internships? And isn’t that something that fills up quite far in advance?”

  “Yeah, I had an offer lined up in Columbia. But then, well, you know Nana has been getting more frail. I felt I should come back here.”

  “And your sister misses you too. It would have been kind of thoughtless not to come back this summer.”

  Joey’s eyes narrowed infinitesimally at me, then he blinked as the server suddenly arrived with our food.

  My mouth watered as the aroma of a fluffy omelette and a side of crispy bacon invaded the table. I plucked a piece of bacon up and moaned as my mouth closed around it. So good. “Seriously,” I managed between crunching the delicious salty and greasy goodness, “if someone told me that either bacon or chocolate was going to disappear from the earth forever and it was up to me to decide, I think my brain would short circuit.” I looked up and Joey, an amused look on his face, dropped his blue eyes from my mouth to his plate.

  “You?” I asked.

  “Me what?”

  “What would you pick if you had to choose?”

  “Hmmm. Easy. Chocolate should disappear.”

  I grabbed my chest. “Stop.”

  He picked up his bitter, unsweetened coffee. The breeze picked up and blew a dark blond lock across his forehead, causing him to absently run his hand through his hair.

  “Oh, you bitter, bitter old man. Don’t you like anything sweet?”

  He shrugged with a cheeky grin playing around his lips. “I like sweet girls.”

  “Oh God. Don’t even. We are so not going there. Retch.”

  “Hey.” He cocked his head back in mock hurt. At least I think it was mock.

  “Dude.” I shook my head.

  “And I’m not that old.”

  “I’m just teasing. Come on, Joseph. Keep your sense of humor.”

  “My sense of humor is just fine, thank you.”

  “So you have a sweet girl at college? Is that why you wanted to stay there this summer?” As the question came out of my mouth, I felt a sense of dread in my belly. The reminder of how much of our lives were changing, perhaps. School would be over soon.

  The Butlers were family to me. To think one day Joey would bring home some girl and we’d all be expected to love her like an additional sister to Keri Ann and me was … uncomfortable. I cleared my throat.

  “Nah. I mean, yeah, there have been girls. Sweet girls and … not so sweet girls.” He winked. “But no, I wouldn’t change my plans for a girl.”

  “Guess you haven’t met the right one.” My inflection indicated I knew the cliché of that phrase.

  He scoffed lightly. “Whatever. No, I thought the internship opportunities were better in Columbia, but my concern for Nana won out.”

  I smiled, satisfied with that answer. “So you did in fact change your plans for a girl.”

  “You’re right. I guess I did.” He laughed.

  “Holy shit.” I grabbed my phone.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Looking for my voice recorder. You just told me I was right about something. Will you repeat it?”

  He shook his head, smiling at me. It was an unguarded and blinding smile.

  I dropped my eyes back to my food. “You have ridiculously perfect teeth, you know that?”

  “Ha, thanks? I think?”

  “I just haven’t seen you smile much. You should do it more often.”

  Joey took the last bite of his omelette and chewed thoughtfully. “So what do you do out there on your dad’s boat?”

  Laying my fork carefully back on my plate, I took a last sip of coffee. “I read his letters and postcards. Listen to his records. And sometimes I write to him.” We were certainly having an honest breakfast.

  A faint line appeared for a split-second between his eyes. “I knew you got letters from him, I didn’t know you had an address for him.”

  “I don’t really. More of a last known address. I’m hoping they still forward his mail. I know for a while they did, since I’d at least get some responses.”

  “How long has it been?”

  “Since I’ve heard from him? About six months.”

  “Is that unusual?”

  “Not really, I just …” I really needed him right now.

  “What kind of music?”

  The sun was heating up the morning, and I shifted in my seat, the vinyl slats of the chair becoming slick on the backs of my thighs. “Jazz.”

  “That how you got your name?”

  “I guess.”

  “He called you Jazz?”

  “Jazzy Bear. He thinks I’m still five.”

  The server appeared at our table. She reached for our empty plates, stacking them on one arm. “Y’all need anything else?”

  Shaking my head, I glanced at Joey who was doing the same. “Just the check please,” he said.

  She laid it down between us with her free hand and stepped away.

  “So?” Joey asked, looking meaningfully at the check.

  “So, as you know it was the first day I met Keri Ann. We were waiting for the bus at school.”

  “You were watching me pl
ay soccer,” Joey interjected, his mouth twitching at one corner, his gaze focused.

  I bobbed my head back as I regarded him. “That’s right, you were playing in the middle school field, just over the fence. And I was watching soccer, not necessarily you.”

  “Go on.”

  “Bethany Winters—”

  “Tripped you.”

  I inhaled. “Yeah. And you called her over and told her not to mess with me.”

  He was quiet as he regarded me. “Well, you’re wrong. I never told her not to mess with you.”

  “Well, what on earth did you say to her then? Seriously, she never messed with me again.” I stared incredulously at Joey.

  “A superhero never gives away his secrets.” He tapped the side of his nose and winked.

  I let out a snort. “Arrogance is your most defining characteristic, did you know that? Now you’re a superhero?”

  “I was joking. Obviously.” He rolled his eyes.

  “No shit.”

  “But really, assuming you were relieved she stopped messing with you, a simple thank you would have been sufficient rather than holding it against me for,” he raised his eyes and counted out some fingers, “seven years.”

  I swallowed, my cheeks feeling hot. Way to make me feel like an ingrate. “I’m sorry. Thank you,” I mumbled.

  He leaned forward, using two fingers to bend his ear. “I didn’t hear that last part. What?”

  “Thank you,” I said loudly and stuck my tongue out.

  “No problem. But I figure you owe me. So about that favor … I’m not sure exactly when I’m going to need it, but at some point this summer, maybe at several times, I need to call it in. It won’t be a big deal. But you’ll be saving my ass. Say you’ll do it.”

  “I don’t even know what it is yet,” I exclaimed.

  “It’s not a big deal, you don’t even have to do anything really except go along with it if anyone asks.”

  “Just tell me.”

  Joey’s eyes flashed, and he looked at me earnestly. “First, say you’ll do it.”

  Dammit, he could make an Eskimo buy ice with those eyes. “Fine.” I huffed. “I’ll do it. But you said several times, that sounds like several favors. I’ll do it once.”

  “Three times at least.”

  “Once,” I said firmly. “And you buy breakfast.”

  “Three times.” He smirked and sat forward on his arms, his blue eyes intently boring into mine.

  My heart hammered, and I snapped my eyes away folding my arms across my chest. What could be the worst thing he would ask me? Seriously? And I didn’t have to do anything, just agree with something. That sounded doable. “Fine. Three times I will go along with whatever this favor is.” I rolled my eyes and tapped my foot, irritated that I’d given in so easily. “So? What the hell is it?”

  Joey let out a deep breath and sat back, linking his hands behind his head, his shirt stretching across his chest. He grinned. A super, killer, megawatt smile. “Three times this summer, when I ask, I’d like you to pretend to be my girlfriend.”

  KERI ANN’S EYES ALMOST popped out of her head. “Holy shit! What? Why?”

  “Exactly what I said. I also think I looked about as horrified as you.”

  She sat back and blinked. “Sorry. I’m not horrified at the possibility.”

  “You’re not? I am.”

  “Well, he said ‘pretend’ right?”

  “Yes. God. Do you think I would have agreed if he’d needed me to actually do it?” I shuddered. We were sitting cross-legged on her bed trying to get last minute studying in before our practice test in science the next morning. Way to start the week.

  Keri Ann cocked her head to the side, assessing me. “Well, what did he say? Why does he need you to do that?”

  I shrugged. “Something to do with his arrogance.”

  She laughed.

  “No, seriously. He thinks some girl he was seeing at school is going to show up here this summer.” I flicked through the pages of our study guide to get to the next section. “And he said he already told her he had a girlfriend back home so she’d get the hint and leave him alone. But apparently, that wasn’t quite enough to deter her.” I rolled my eyes. “He’s just soooo awesome that she won’t stop trying to be with him. Thinks it could take at least three attempts to get the message across.”

  Keri Ann shook with silent laughter. “Joey has a stalker! I love it. He’s so not living this down. At least it’s not three separate girls.”

  “I just hope it doesn’t interfere with my V-card plan. Knowing my luck he’ll need me to be his girlfriend at a mission-critical moment.”

  “I can’t believe you’re serious about going through with that.”

  I shrugged. “Why not? The longer I wait the more of a big deal it will be, don’t you think?”

  Keri Ann made a face.

  “Not that I’m saying you should do it too. I just … well, you know.”

  “You want it out the way, I know.”

  “Well, I mean, I want to enjoy it too. But yeah.”

  “Staying for dinner tonight?”

  “And engage in a verbal sparring match with your bull-headed brother as his welcome home present? Color me there.”

  She cocked her eyebrow.

  “I mean, sure, I’d love to. Thanks. Just let me text my mom.” I grabbed my phone and quickly tapped out a message. Honestly, her work schedule meant I rarely saw her for dinner anyway.

  “How’s her new job going at the hospital in Hilton Head?”

  “Good. It’s good. She’s working with the new cardiac surgeon, with scheduling and stuff. He’s complicated and difficult but he pays well, so she’s happy she found it.” My mom had been looking for steady office work for so long so she could be home more in the evenings. “Unfortunately she found the one office job that seems to keep her at work later and later these days. At least she’s been able to cut back on hours at the convenience store. And we finally have good benefits.”

  “That’s awesome. I’m happy for you guys.”

  I was too, it had been too long since we’d had something permanent. I was proud of my mom, she’d worked hard to get trained and get this job while working to get food on the table. We owed a debt of gratitude to the Butlers—who had pretty much been my bonus family since I was eleven years old—that we could never repay.

  “SO WHAT ARE you girls going to watch? If it’s a chick flick, I’m out.” Joey stacked the plates at the kitchen table where we’d all just gorged ourselves on Nana’s famous shrimp n’ grits. “Thanks for dinner, Nana.” He leaned down and kissed her papery cheek, bringing a warm smile to her face, then stood, unfolding to his six-foot-three height.

  “You’re welcome.”

  “Depends on your definition of a chick flick,” I joked and reached to clear up the spare unused silverware. “We could be watching Immortals. It’s action-adventure, but Henry Cavill’s bare chest lumps it firmly in chick flick status for me.”

  Joey put the plates in the sink that Keri Ann was currently filling with water. “Hmm. My definition of chick flick is movies where some chump says all the crap guys don’t say in real life, and you all sigh and swoon and shit.

  “Joseph Walter Butler,” Nana admonished. “Watch your language.”

  I snorted a giggle.

  “Sorry, Nana.” Joey glared at my outburst before addressing her. “But do you honestly condone these unrealistic expectations the girls are getting of men?”

  Nana stood gingerly, her frame frailer than it used to be. “Ah, Joey. A girl has to dream and expect more. If women expected nothing from men, men would never amount to much.”

  “Here, here,” Keri Ann added. “Maybe you’d have a girlfriend rather than a stalker if you actually learned a thing or two.”

  Joey chuckled. “I have no problem getting what I need from girls. Getting a ‘girlfriend’ is not one of them.”

  “Joey!”

  “Sorry, Nana. But it’s true.” He s
hrugged with a grin. “And I have enough female companionship right here in this kitchen not to want anything more than sex with a girl and too much going on in the rest of my life to worry about some chick who’s going to start dreaming of marriage and babies.”

  Nana shook her head. We’d always had open and honest conversations around her. “I’m leaving you three to your discourse and heading to bed,” she said. “Joey, one day you’re going to catch a direct hit from a woman and realize you’d change your whole life for her. I just hope you don’t run when it happens.”

  “And I hope she doesn’t leave you swinging in the wind,” I added, raising my eyebrows. “But that’s highly likely.”

  He pursed his lips. “Night Nana. It’s good to be home.” He pulled her in for a hug, her grey-haired head only reaching his chest, and kissed her forehead. His brow furrowed as he concentrated on the gentle hug he gave her.

  “Thanks for dinner,” I said as they released and stood to hug her myself.

  “Sweet girl.” She hugged me back, then patted my cheek before releasing me.

  I turned back to Joey. “Ugh. You’re such a pig. Not all girls dream of marriage and babies.”

  “Really, Jazzy Bear?” He lifted a sardonic eyebrow. “Are you dreaming of your future career every night or one of those ridiculous heroes from a movie or romance novel to come and sweep you off your feet?”

  God, he was annoying. “Actually, I dream of being a journalist. And traveling the world.”

  He stopped what he was doing and looked up at me. A split second of curiosity and interest crossed his expression, then it was gone.

  “And hotelier,” added Keri Ann affecting a French-accented inflection to her words. “She wants to run a hotel one day.”

  He glanced at her, then shook his head. “Whatever.”

  “Ugh. You’re a complete chauvinistic—”

  “Jessica,” Nana interjected from the doorway. “Y’all try not to dissolve into insults. Good night.”

  “Sorry. But it’s true. Night, Nana.”

  Joey shrugged. “I guess I am. But it suits me just fine.”

  I ground my teeth. “Did it ever occur to you that women might want the same?” I glanced over my shoulder to see Nana had left. Keri Ann followed her out to make sure she got to bed okay. “None of the male idiocy like you’ve just displayed. Just some great sex now and again that doesn’t interfere with the way they want to live their lives.”