Chapter 17
Tuesday night-movie night.I guess it’s a thing at Tala’s house.
And I guess I’m going.
I mean, I’m already here, standing on Tala’s front porch. The last step is to go inside. Jane said this family stuff would get easier the more I try—that’s what people say about golf, and it ain’t true.
But just in case Heath has a Ring doorbell camera, I stay put and knock on the door. Little footsteps inside tell me Jack or Serenity will answer.
It’s Jack.
“Uncle Walker!” Jack lunges forward, half tackling me, half hugging me. I haven’t been around kids much. Is it normal for them to be in love with you after one Sunday afternoon of teaching them golf? Judging by how tightly his arms cling to my leg, I’d say yes.
“Hey, buddy.” I ruffle his hair.
His big eyes look up at me. “Are you here to play golf with me?”
“You bet.” I smile, surprised by how much I want that too.
I’ve never really pictured myself as the dad type. I guess I just figured since I didn’t have a dad all through my teen years, I didn’t really know how to do it. But with Jack staring up at me, a flood of memories of my own father takes over my thoughts.
We never golfed together—I wish more than anything that I could’ve shared that with him—but we did play catch, go fishing, go surfing, and had late-night basketball games under the spotlights in our driveway.
It’s unfair of me to push out those memories and tell myself I didn’t really have a dad. Because I did, and he was great—probably why it hurt so much when he died. Right now, it feels like the best way to honor him is to be like him. Do what he would do if he were still here.
I bend down, grab Jack by the waist, and flip him up over my body so he’s facing the other direction, his bony butt sitting on the edge of my shoulder.
“Let’s go see what you got, kid.” I kick the front door shut and carry Jack through the house as he squeals with delight.
Tala pops her head out of the kitchen. I can’t say I blame her for the look of confusion on her face. I don’t recognize myself either. I went from never caring about her children to playing with them twice…in one week. Life is weird.
“Should you be carrying him like that after your back surgery?”
I toss her a smile as I continue to the back door. “We’ll be golfing in the backyard if you need us.” I push the screen door open, hearing her last words before it slams shut.
“Movie starts in an hour!”
I place Jack back on the ground, glancing around. “Where’s the golf club and the bucket of balls?”
“They’re in the garage.” He takes off running, and within thirty seconds, he’s back with everything we used on Sunday, including an orange cone that we tipped on its side to be our hole. Pete wouldn’t mind if I took him next door to putt on his green with a real hole, but this will work for now while I’m still teaching Jack the basics, and then next week, maybe I can take him to the Belacourt driving range and teach him how to hit the ball far.
Wait.
Am I still going to be here next week? The plan was to stay only as long as it took Pete to help me improve my golf game. But if Pete says my problems are all in my head, why am I still in Sunset Harbor?
The answer is simple.
I’m here for Jane.
Not for Jane, but for the golf fundraiser I promised her I’d do. And if I’m honest, part of me kind of wants to stay for Jane too. It’s stupid, I know. Half the time, she’s running away from me, but maybe it’s the running that makes her so fun to chase.
Jack sets up the cone just like we had it the other night, then skips back to me with his club.
“Alright, let’s see how many balls you can get into the cone.” I place the first one in front of him. “Do you remember what to do?”
“Feet apart. Line up with the ball.” His little hands grip the club, interlacing his pinkies. He holds it up to me for a check-off. “Like this?”
“You’re a pro.”
“I’m going to hit a hole-in-one.”
“It wouldn’t surprise me, buddy.”
He pulls back, but the result is a swing and a miss.
“It happens.” I laugh as he dramatically face-palms himself.
“I got it this time.” He repositions, swings, and connects, but the ball goes way left of the target. He turns to me with a giant smile—not the reaction I was expecting. “Look how far that one went!”
“You must have some big muscles.”
I drop another ball in front of him. This one ends up five feet short of the cone.
“That one was so good and straight.”
My lips lift as I watch him celebrate the good in each putt he takes. He hasn’t hit the ball in the hole even once, but you’d never know by his attitude. Jack is proud of himself regardless. I could use a lot more of that in my own life.
Jane’s voice pulls my attention away. I turn over my shoulder just as she comes through the side gate—and dang! My eyes roam over her body in denim shorts, a white fitted racer-back tank, and red cowboy boots—fitting since her parents are famous country singers. It’s a very good look. My gaze lingers before traveling back up to her face. She’s staring at me with pursed lips and narrowed eyes as she talks on the phone.
Caught in 4k.
And I don’t even care.
I shoot her a brash smile that only makes her turn away and continue her phone call. Folded pink papers stick out her back left pocket, barely tucked inside. I can’t believe she’s still carrying those around. By now, I full-on expect the equation that solves cold fusion is written on them.
“Tell Dad hi. Okay, love you too.” She twirls around, walking toward us. “Bye, Mom.”
“Jane!” Jack beams at her when the call ends. “Walker is teaching me how to golf.”
“Is he?” She inclines her head to me with a questioning gaze.
“Someone told me I should try to spend more time with my family.”
“Sounds like a smart person who gives great advice.”
“We’ll see.” I smirk. “The jury is still out on whether or not it’s good advice.”
“How’s your stomach?”
“Like right now?”
“Yeah,” she lowers her voice, “family gut, remember?”
“Honestly, it feels pretty good.” Probably because she’s here.
Her chin lifts in adorable arrogance. “Then my advice must be working.”
Tala opens the back door. “Oh, hey, Jane.” Her gaze shifts to Jack. “It’s time to come inside, take a bath, and change into your pajamas so you’re ready for the movie.”
“But I’m golfing.”
“Maybe Uncle Walker can come back another night and practice golf with you.” Tala’s voice sounds hesitant but hopeful, like she’s just testing the waters with me.
“Yeah, we’ll golf again.” I take the club from him. “Go get ready for the movie.”
“Fine.” His shoulders slump a little, but he obeys.
“Jane, I’ll let Capri know you’re here.” Tala looks between the two of us before shutting the door, as if she’s unsure why we”re staying out here alone.
“How are your parents?” I ask as I grab the basket of balls and start cleaning up.
“Oh, they’re just living their best life on the road, doing summer music festivals and outdoor concerts.” Jane walks beside me, kicking balls toward me with her toe. “Typical retirement stuff.”
I laugh because there’s nothing typical about Jane’s famous parents. “Is that why you’re wearing cowboy boots? You’re just supporting your parents?”
“No.” She sends another ball my way.
“Well, you’re a little overdressed for movie night. I don’t think we’re watching a western. Last I heard, we’re watching Trolls.” I flip my flirtatious gaze to her, then quickly drop it down her body just for the show of it. “Not that I’m complaining. You look great.”
“You know, you have a real problem with blatantly checking women out. First, it was my legs in the golf cart, and then just now.”
I stop walking right in front of her. My head dips down so our faces are only a few inches apart. The smell of vanilla with a hint of lavender teases me, and the screw-it guy in my brain wants me to pull her close and bury my nose against her skin. Unfortunately, I very rarely listen to him.
“I don’t check out women. Just you.” Swagger spreads through my smile. “And it’s only a problem if you get caught.”
For a second, I think she’ll match my flirtation pound for pound. Instead, she snuffs out my torch. “I have a date tonight. You remember Dustin Pearce from high school, don’t you?”
The way that information makes my chest burn with jealousy is dangerous, but I hide it. “Yeah, Dustin. He’s a landscaper, right? I ran into him at Beach Break Bar just before I rescued you from choking.”
“We’re going country swing dancing on the mainland. Capri is helping me get ready.”
“I’m sure you’ll have a good time.” My feet shuffle a little closer, like Jane is a magnet. One more step and our bodies would skim each other.
Her jaw sets as her chin lifts even higher. “I’m sure I will.”
We’re so close. Her brown eyes frantically search mine like she’s waiting to see what happens next. I could drop my gaze to her lips. I could kiss her. It wouldn’t take much persuasion from the screw-it guy.
But she abruptly spins around before I have the chance to do anything. My eyes dart to the pink papers just as they fall out of her back pocket to the grass—the spinning and the marching away must have dislodged them.
I react, bending down to pick them up. My movement must’ve caught her attention because she glances over her shoulder just as I straighten and begin unfolding.
“That’s mine!”
She dives forward, going after them, but I lift my arm higher so they’re out of her reach, finishing the unfolding process.
“Can I have those back?” Her jumps almost put her at my height, but I switch to the other hand as I read the title on the first paper.
“Romance Tropes.” I smirk as I read the list, not even bothering to keep the amusement out of my voice. “Wow, there are a lot here. Two columns.” I start from the top, skipping over anything that’s crossed out. “Stranded together. Road trip. Only one bed.” The corner of my mouth curls. “Oooh, I like the sound of that.”
“Okay, you’re done.”
“I actually think I’m just getting started.”
Jane jerks my arm, pulling it down low enough to make another reach for the paper, but I pluck it away again, turning my body from her.
“Age gap. Memorizes coffee order. Makes sure she has eaten.” I use a stiff arm to hold her lunging body back so I can keep reading. “She thinks he’s talking about the view, but he’s really saying she’s beautiful.” I frown down at her as she wrestles to overtake me. “Man, these are really specific.”
“Give it back.” She attempts to swipe my arm away, but it’s no use.
I smile at her with questioning eyes. “Not until you explain why you need a comprehensive list of romance tropes.”
“City research.” She ducks away from my stiff arm, spinning to get behind me, where she tries climbing my body to reach the papers like a koala would. “Don’t make me jump on your injured back. Because I’ll do it.”
I don’t doubt it. Jane is all over me, though I can’t say I mind. It’s the physical contact I longed for one minute ago, just happening in a very different way than I imagined.
I scan the rest of the list while fighting her offand switch to the other paper.
“Single Men in Sunset Harbor for the Summer of Jane Hayes!” My announcement of the next title kicks her into a new gear.
She lunges forward, swatting the arm holding the papers above us. “That’s personal!”
My free hand grabs Jane’s wrist, turning her completely around so her back is against my chest. I wrap my arm around her body, pinning both her arms to her sides and trapping her body to mine. She wriggles to break free, but I hold her firmly—the biggest bicep workout of my life.
“Beau Palmer.” I begin reading aloud. “Briggs Dalton. Blake Mickelsen. Dax Miller.”
She stops fighting and turns her head to the side so she can see my face. “Okay, we get the point.”
I glance down at her, my nose almost skimming the tip of hers. “I don’t think we do get the point.” I smile as I continue on, feeling her body writhe against mine. “Noah Belacourt. Phoenix Park. Dustin Pearce.” I drop my eyes to her again. “Jane, if I didn’t know better, I’d say these are men you’ve been trying to date.”
“Fine!” Her shoulders sink, and the fighting stops. “My red flag is that I believe in happily ever after and the romance tropes that get you there.”
My brows drop. “I’m not following.”
Exasperation puffs over her pretty lips. “The reason I have a list of romance tropes and single men on the island is because I’m trying to fall in love this summer. That’s the Summer of Jane Hayes.”
A small smile develops on my mouth. So many things make sense now.
“Happy? You found out my big secret.” She squirms in my arm, trying to free herself, but I’m not done with her just yet.
I feign a frown as I look over the list of men once more. “What I want to know is why my name isn’t on here.” I shift my gaze to her, feeling her chest rise and fall against my arm. “I’m single, aren’t I?”
“Because you don’t live in Sunset Harbor.” She bumps her hip into mine, momentarily creating space between our two bodies until I pull her back to my chest. For the first time in this position, I’m keenly aware of how warm her bare skin feels against mine.
“And if I did live here?”
Her brown eyes narrow, and her chin lifts. “You still wouldn’t be on the list.”
I love Jane’s defiance, especially how it puts her lips closer. Everything that was fun and playful about our keep-away game has shifted to hot and electric. My heart pounds, and something exciting stirs inside.
“Why not?” My voice is breathy, a consequence of her closeness.
“Because you’re like a brother to me.”
“Are you sure about that?” My eyes dart to her lips, and the slight way her tongue barely brushes over the top, moistening them.
“Jane?”
We snap our heads to the back door where Capri stands.
There’s a look of disappointment on her face as she darts her eyes back and forth between us, making me feel like I’ve been caught doing something wrong.
“What are you guys doing?” The hurt in Capri’s eyes doesn’t soften.
Jane pushes away from me, and I let her go. She grabs the papers out of my hands and rushes toward Capri.
“Your stupid brother stole my lists and wouldn’t give them back. I had to wrestle him for them.”
Capri’s gaze shoots to me, then back to Jane. The furrow in her brow lessens. “Oh. I was wondering what you guys were doing. The whole thing looked strange.”
“Well, the cat’s out of the bag!” Jane throws her arms up in the air. “Now everyone knows about the Summer of Jane.”
“Not everyone.” Capri shakes her head. “It’s just Walker.”
“Yeah.” I nod. “I was just messing around.”
Capri opens the door, escaping inside the house. Jane follows but not before she glances over her shoulder, meeting my gaze.
And I don’t like the panic in her expression.