Just Say Yes (King Family, #5)

by Lena Hendrix

Arthur Brown was an elderly resident at Haven Pines, and in the few months he’d been with us, he had charmed a dinner date out of at least six other nurses.

My father was awaiting trial for the murder of my mother, and suddenly my entire life felt like one big lie.

“Grandpa, we talked about this. You can’t hire hookers to have dinner with you because you’re lonely.”

To make things worse, she wasn’t just gorgeous. She was fire. And I’d basically hosed myself down in kerosene.

“It sounds a lot less gentlemanly and a lot more stalkery when you use the phrase hunt her down.” He swatted a hand at me. “They like that nowadays. My friend Greta says the bookish ones are into dark romance.”

“Relax, Thunder.” A grin tugged at the corner of my mouth. “You might hurt yourself if you keep stomping around like that.” “Thunder?” she shouted, stepping forward. Because I was so much taller, her chin lifted higher, but she didn’t back down. Oh, I like that.

That tiny little spitfire was a lot less like a thundercloud and more like a tsunami.

“Look, I have no interest in Mr. Brown’s grandson or his mustache rides.”

He had taken something I couldn’t get back and left me with nothing but regret. The pain was still there, lingering like an old bruise.

Jack was twenty-four, fast as hell, and one of the younger guys the team had brought on for exhibition matches. He was talented,

“Outtatowner.” I smiled, because even the name was quirky and charming. He laughed again. “Well, you’re in the middle of nowhere. What’d you expect? There’s absolutely nothing memorable about that shitty town.”

Sometimes I look around and wonder what the hell I’m doing. I don’t even have a goldfish.”

Trent had violated my trust and my body in ways I was still coping with.

Sadness washed over me as I realized he’d done so much irreparable damage to his own children that not a single one of us knew what to say.

“Bug, you were more of a mother to us than anyone else ever could’ve been,” Abel added, and for once, his usual gruffness softened.

We had been only five and three when our mother disappeared. Our other siblings had memories of our mother, and in many ways that had brought JP and me together. We’d bonded over the lack of her.

He scoffed. “Well, at least your head’s not up your ass. That one is trouble. She looks at you and sees nothing but dollar signs and Division One babies.”

Grandpa didn’t just teach me rugby; he taught me how to stand tall, how to fight for something I wanted. Even when Dad wasn’t around—and, honestly, even when Mom couldn’t be—I always had Grandpa.

There was something that felt a bit wrong about checking him out of the assisted-living facility like some borrowed book, but he didn’t seem to mind.

“Now it probably won’t come up since we’re not townies and all, but if you’re pressed, it’s probably easier to just say that you’re with the Kings.”

Four little words. Four words that shouldn’t have felt like a win, but god, they did. Unknown I’ll think about it.

“I promise I am the least interesting person in this town.” A deep noise rumbled in his throat. “I seriously doubt that.”

“How do I get one of those?” Logan’s deep voice floated over my shoulder, and liquid heat followed in its wake. “A date?” I asked, turning to him. He crossed his arms and looked around JP’s property. “A date. One of those hugs. I’m not picky.”

Sylvie poked and prodded JP about Hazel and Teddy. His face was stern, but I could tell he was hiding something, because the tips of his ears turned red anytime the woman in his life was brought up.

But the way Logan’s gaze lingered, like I was someone worth figuring out, made me wonder if maybe he wasn’t the problem. Maybe the problem was how much I wanted him to try.

“I’m glad you came.” His husky voice was pure silk over gravel. Mine was barely a whisper. “Your grandfather is very convincing. He told me how even when you’re traveling you call every week, despite the time differences. I thought that was very sweet.” “I’m not always so sweet . . .” His thumb dragged across my cheek, igniting a path behind it. “But I can be.”

“I know my way around a dick, okay?”

Sylvie put up both hands. “Well, color me corrected. I didn’t realize my baby sister was such a slut.”

I wanted to be the kind of woman who could flirt with or sleep with anyone she pleased. I didn’t want my feelings to get tangled up in a good time, because when it didn’t work out, then I’d really be a mess.

“It’s, uh . . . Julep. My real name is Julep.”

“It suits you,” I replied softly, noting the faint hint of color in her cheeks. “Pure. No mixer.”

His voice was dark. Intimate. “I have another game coming up. I could use a little luck.” And there it is. It wasn’t attraction. It was his ridiculous hunch that I was somehow lucky to the team.

“You’ve got time to figure it out. Just never say never, my friend. Take it from someone who lived it—one day, you’ll want to be part of something that lasts longer than a season. Coaching could be that thing.”

I was annoyed with him. Frustrated with the universe over the fact that he was completely off-limits thanks to my scumbag ex. Hurt by the reality that his interest stemmed from a superstitious need to win at rugby.

We both moaned and I deepened the kiss, pressing my body into her. “You like how you taste?” MJ smiled, a hint of embarrassment playing at the edges. “I like how I taste on you.”

They didn’t understand at all why I was near tears. I didn’t have a clue who the man in the photograph was. I certainly didn’t know a father who laughed and ran beside me while I learned to ride a bike.

These people didn’t know the real him at all—only the role he played to keep Elizabeth and her father happy. They were blissfully unaware of the irreparable damage he’d caused my siblings and me.

All I knew was that I’d given him to them, and now I had nothing left to hold on to. No anger, no answers, no closure. Just the weight of what he’d taken from us.

“Yes, me.” I let out a wry chuckle. “I’m not really the girl that gets the fairy-tale ending. I’m not the main character—I’m the kind-of-funny sidekick. The best friend. The cutesy little sister.”

“I’m sorry that I yelled at you,” she whispered. My fingers continued their slow path up and down her arms. “You don’t ever have to apologize to me for being honest. Your emotions don’t scare me.”

“So, what’s the plan, Lucky Charm? Gonna reward your knight in shining armor?”

It was an odd sensation, the feeling of helplessness, as I shouted directions from the sidelines. But more than that, there was a strange sense of pride when I could see a play start to take shape. From the outside, it was like an orchestrated dance of flying mud and pained grunts.

Why was it when you loved someone, tomorrow always seemed too far away?

This was her moment, her triumph.

But MJ? She wasn’t a trophy. She was everything.

MJ’s voice played in my head, soft and teasing, the way she’d sounded on the phone. She was happy tonight, and I’d do anything to keep her that way.

Because for the first time in my life, I knew what really mattered. And it wasn’t a trophy. It was her.

And I loved him too much to beg him to give up his dream and stay. I just didn’t know whether I could survive being left behind again.

“Wow, MJ. Who knew you had claws?” I leaned in slightly, my voice calm but firm. “I’ve always had them. You just weren’t worth the scratch.”

I choose you, but I’m also choosing myself. That means I am not afraid of what might come next. I’m excited for it. I only hope it’s still with you.”