Chapter Eight #2
Their group turned. Percy was making his way down the crowded boardwalk.
He wore a simple white T-shirt and khaki shorts.
He rubbed the bridge of his nose and adjusted his glasses.
Jeremiah tensed, wondering which version of his brother he’d get today.
Ever since he’d left Smith’s Sweets, Percy’s default setting with Jeremiah was surly.
The level of surliness varied depending on Percy’s mood.
Robin waved, and Percy waved back. His eyes widened slightly when he noticed Jeremiah.
He’d probably assumed that Jeremiah wasn’t actually going to show up this weekend.
When he reached them, he kissed Robin and hugged his daughters.
He looked over their heads at Jeremiah. He and Percy were the same height.
They had the same complexion and shade of brown eyes. They differed almost everywhere else.
“What’s up, bro?” Jeremiah asked. “Good to see you.”
“Good to see you too,” Percy said.
They dapped each other up and hugged.
“I’m glad you came,” Percy said as he pulled away. “Thought you might be avoiding us for some reason.”
Jeremiah forced a smile. “Nah.”
He never straight up avoided Percy, but he didn’t make a habit of seeking him out anymore either.
Percy thought that Jeremiah left Smith’s Sweets because he was being selfish and shirking his responsibilities.
But Jeremiah had left because after his last conversation with Pop, he’d realized that he was only making the family look bad by staying with the company but slacking off.
Pop had been right—Jeremiah hadn’t been happy with the job he was doing at the company and knew he could do better, but when he tried to think of ways to contribute, it became clear that Celeste and Percy had everything under control, and they didn’t need Jeremiah.
It would be best if he left and stopped ruining the Smith’s Sweets image.
In the two years since he’d left, he’d gotten himself together more, but whenever he thought about the idea of returning to Smith’s Sweets, he still feared that he’d somehow mess things up.
It was a fear that he didn’t have with Good Boy because at Good Boy he’d started with a clean slate, and it was less personal.
However, explaining that to Percy meant he’d also have to explain his last conversation with Pop, and that was the last thing Jeremiah wanted to do.
“Percy, this is my girlfriend, Noelle,” he said.
Noelle smiled cordially at Percy. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.” The corners of Percy’s mouth lifted half an inch in a brief smile before he gave his full attention to Celeste. “I just got off a call with Anthony at the warehouse. Almost a dozen sugar cookie shipments are unaccounted for. That’s the second time in two weeks.”
“We’ll worry about that later,” Celeste said. “A few missing boxes won’t make or break us this weekend. There’s not much we can do until Monday.”
“Yeah, babe,” Robin said. “Plus, the girls have been waiting for you.”
“Can we go to the arcade now?” Ashley asked.
Percy frowned, glancing between his daughters, his wife, and his mom. “It might be a few missing boxes today, but it could turn into a larger issue down the line. I’d rather get this situation handled now.”
“I can take you to the arcade,” Jeremiah offered his nieces. “I was planning to take Noelle anyway. I wanna win her a bear.”
Percy looked at Jeremiah and narrowed his eyes. “It’s interesting when you choose to be helpful.”
There it was. The ire that Jeremiah had been waiting for.
“You have a problem with me taking them to the arcade?” Jeremiah asked.
“I have a problem with how you pick and choose when to care,” Percy said.
“Stop this right now.” Celeste stood between her sons. She looked back and forth imploringly. “You’re family. Cut the drama.”
Jeremiah and Percy frowned at each other. Jeremiah hated that this was the nature of their relationship now. Percy would always hold it against him that he’d left the family company. And Jeremiah would always wish that he was worthy enough to stay.
Noelle tightened her grasp on Jeremiah’s hand. “Did you mean what you said about winning me a bear?” she asked.
She looked up at him, patient and calm. Slowly, his pulse rate regulated. He reminded himself that he was here at Heart Beach to keep the peace with Celeste and to attend Amara’s birthday party. Not to argue with Percy.
“Yeah,” he said to Noelle. “Let’s get you that bear.”
“We’ll all go to the arcade,” Celeste said. “Percy, honey, worry about the warehouse issue on Monday.”
Percy grumbled something and pulled out his phone, most likely trying to send off one last email.
“You good?” Noelle whispered to Jeremiah. They began leading the group down the boardwalk.
“Yeah,” he said. “I’m good. Thank you.”
She nudged his arm with her shoulder. “You’ve got my hopes up about that bear now.”
Jeremiah laughed, feeling his mood lift steadily. “I did mean it. I’m gonna win it for you.”
“Okay, then,” she said, winking.
He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed the back of it again, just because. She looked at him through her lashes and smiled. Maybe thanks to Noelle, he’d be able to make it through the weekend.