the presents and that one over there is for the drinks and ice.” He glanced around, and I could almost see him ticking things off his mental list. “Shit, I forgot to get the ice.”
“The Circle K is right up the road,” I said. “Someone can make a quick run.”
He shook his head. “They’re all having fun, I don’t want—”
“JJ, it won’t kill them to get some ice,” I said exasperatedly. “Stop treating them like kids.”
He was a little surprised at my vehemence but gave me a little nod. “Habit, I guess.” He looked at the gifts still tucked under my arm. “I see you’re my first contribution to the gift table.”
“Yep. I hope John still fans out over Star Wars because I got him a lamp in the shape of the Death Star. And for Charlie, a robot dinosaur.”
He laughed. “Well, that’s just perfect. His dinosaur phase is still going strong. As for John, I don’t think his Star Wars phase will ever end. He’s gonna love it.”
I pretended to wipe sweat from my brow with relief. “Where are the other gifts?”
“Still loaded up in the back of Laura’s SUV.” He snapped his fingers. “I should probably go get those.”
“JJ.”
“I’ll get someone to help,” he said, rolling his eyes.
He absolutely wouldn’t. “You’ve got someone to help. All I need is Laura’s keys.” I put the gifts on the designated table and held out my hand. “I’m going to marshal the troops, and we’re going to get busy.”
He looked like he wanted to argue, but Jack’s voice interrupted whatever he was going to say. “Listen to him, boy,” he said mildly. “We were just talking about this, weren’t we? When they jumped out of the car and ran down here like kids, whooping and hollering? And you had to get me down here by yourself?”
I gave Jack a nod of approval. “I’m glad someone else is trying to talk some sense into you.”
Journey grunted as he lifted a couple of cases of beer to take to the drinks table. “Yes, you’re both taking turns riding my back like a pair of monkeys, one heavier than the last.”
Jack and I looked at each other appraisingly, trying to determine who was Regular Monkey and who was Heavy Monkey. “He’s talking about you,” we said simultaneously.
*
The day passed all too quickly in a haze of good food, family, and relaxation. At some point, I was dragged into the volleyball game by Mark, and then into the water by some of the kids. I made the mistake of playing sea monster and dunking Livy, and she came up demanding, “Again, again!”
It quickly became a hostage situation. I was forced to dunk the rest of the crew as the sound of giggling and squealing split the air. Laura finally paid my ransom in the form of kid kryptonite—sugar. She clapped her hands at the edge of the water and called out a single word. “Cake!”
I gave her a grateful look as I made my way back to a beach chair next to John. He offered me a beer from a cooler near his feet, and I waved him off. I didn’t need a drink. I needed aspirin and some sleep. Also maybe some therapy for my kid-related PTSD.
As the sun made its descent in the sky, Journey pulled out his camera. I smiled faintly as he tried to get organic photos of the kids, and they all delighted in thwarting him. “Stop looking at the bloody camera and act freaking natural,” could be heard more than once. I chuckled as Charlie did a headstand and crossed his eyes.
“I wonder if he’d be interested in taking some pictures at Bailey’s wedding,” I mused. “Not the whole thing, of course, but I think she’d get a kick out of having a JJ Sutton wedding photo.”
John snorted. “Like he’ll still be here by then.”
Right. I felt like he’d sucker punched me, which was ridiculous. I’d known Journey was leaving from the beginning. I’d been so determined to push his looming departure out of my mind that I’d actually managed to do so. “It was just a thought,” I murmured.
“Anything regarding the future and my brother is a stupid thought.”
I frowned. “I think you’re being a little hard on him.”
“Not that I agree with you, but he’s my brother, so I get to do that.”
“Well, he’s my….” At John’s arched brow, I faltered.
“He’s your…,” he prodded.
“Friend,” I finished lamely, ignoring his resulting snort. “He’s my friend, so I have