All That Jazz (Butler Cove #1)(12)

“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 play 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.”