Since it is my last day, I have a fun filled day planned for the Jackson kids. First, we made a morning snack. Their mom fed them breakfast a couple of hours ago. I showed them how to make rainbow fruit kebabs. Of course, once they discovered what we were doing, the boys ended up stabbing the bits of fruit with the skewers, massacring them so badly it looked more like a rainbow battlefield than the cute snack I’d envisioned.
Boys!
After snacks, I loaded Michael into his wagon and helped James and Paul snap on their bike helmets. I pulled Michael while the other two rode their bikes to a little park nestled in the middle of our neighborhood. After about an hour of special op spy games with water guns, we loaded back up and went home to make lunch and enjoy the air conditioning. As much as I love Indiana, there is nothing worse than a hot, humid summer day, which is why all our outdoor activities included water.
“Why is today your last day, Bly?” Paul asked around a mouthful of peanut butter and jelly.
“Because, Paul, school starts in two weeks and I need to take a little break before getting ready for school.” I have explained this no less than six hundred thousand times this week.
Paul scowled. “But I don’t want to go to Grandma’s until school starts.”
I reached out to ruffle his hair. “Sorry, bud, it’s a tough break, going to hang out with grandma and eating cookies all day and watching Moana.”
The kids’ grandma spoils them rotten. I don’t think she feeds them any vegetables and she bakes more sweets than the bakery downtown on any given day. In fact, this week alone, she has dropped by with chocolate chip cookies, mini cupcakes, and a sugar cookie decorating kit- which she stayed to help make with the kids.
James’s eyes lit up at the mention of baked goods and Disney movies. “Maybe she’ll let us watch the really old movies in her basement.”
“You can watch the same ones on Blu-Ray, James,” I informed him, because the ‘really old’ movies are actually VHS tapes of every kid movie ever made before they stopped making VHS tapes. For some reason James is obsessed and loves to watch them when he goes to his grandma’s.
“It’s not the same, Blythe,” he tells me with all the authority of a ten-year-old.
Deciding it’s not worth the argument, I just shook my head and cleaned up the mess from lunch. Looking over, I saw Michael nodding off in his high chair and figured I better rescue him before he fell face first in his macaroni noodles.
“You two go watch an episode of SpongeBob or something while I get Michael down for his nap.” They raced off to the playroom where I heard them arguing between SpongeBob and PAW Patrol and I had to wonder when I would ever learn the first rule of dealing with children, particularly siblings. Do not give them a choice! Just tell them what they are going to do! But little Michael clutched me around my neck and I figured dum-dum One and Two would survive until he fell asleep.
Probably this is my favorite part of babysitting. After grabbing Michael’s favorite blanket out of his crib, I plopped us both down in the plush rocking chair in his room. He reached for his pacifier, which he’s only allowed to have at nap time, and I pick it up of the little table beside the chair. He popped it in his mouth, sucking immediately and his eyes slid shut.
He fell asleep almost right away, but I sat and rocked with him for fifteen minutes before putting him in his crib and tiptoeing out of his room. If I watch the Jackson kids next summer, Michael will be three. He won’t be as little and snuggly as he is now and I love baby snuggles! And since today is my last day, I’m glad I took the time to enjoy every minute of his sweet baby self.
Once again entering the fray, I corralled James and Paul for a game of Chutes and Ladders. James was getting a little too old for the game, but he put up with it if I promised to play a couple rounds of cards with him afterward. Paul’s attention span could only handle one round of any board game, so it worked out. And while I beat the pants of James at speed, Paul destroyed what was left of the playroom that had escaped his special touch that morning.
After games and clean-up, Michael was still asleep, so we did an art project. I wanted them to have something to remember the summer by, so I’d printed pictures of us doing fun things and brought them over so we could make frames for them to hang in their room. James and Paul made their own and I made one for Michael.
Finally, 4:30 rolled around and all the boys and the house were cleaned up and ready for their mom. I gave kisses and hugs and promises to stop by and visit for a play date during the school year. I even teared up a bit when Mrs. Jackson hugged me and gave me a hundred-dollar tip!
“Thanks, Blythe. The boys have had such a fun summer!”
I waved to them as I rode my bike away and even though I’d enjoyed my babysitting job, I felt a huge relief that it was finally done and I would be able to spend the next two weeks doing absolutely NOTHING.
As I pedaled my bike home from the Jackson’s for the last time that summer, I was tempted to detour to Lilly’s. Lilly lived about eight blocks from the Jackson’s on Aspen and as hot as it was in late July, it would have been worth the bike ride to celebrate being done. At the last minute, though, as I came to the crossroad of Birch and Aspen, I remembered the last thing my mother shouted as I rode away this morning. Ugh. No trip to Lilly’s. I’d have to settle for a covert text message while my parents socialized with my grandparents. Or maybe it would be my Aunt Jess and Uncle Brian.
As I pedaled the last block before Pine Street, I pondered which of my family members had come to visit. Our house was situated on the corner and when I turned to head into the drive, I noticed a newer looking white car sitting in front of our house.
Strange.
Did grandma and grandpa get a new car? I didn’t remember my aunt and uncle having a white car, either. Jumping from my bike, I walked it to the side of the house and lowered the kickstand. Now that I’d earned enough money to cover the cost of my insurance for the school year, mom and dad said they’d take me to get my driver’s license. Hopefully, my days of two-wheeled transportation were numbered.
Opting for the back door, I opened the gate separating the front yard from the back. I could smell dad’s barbeque. Laughter drifted from the patio. Curious, I walked confidently into the backyard, covered from head to toe in sweat, acrylic paint, and remnants from the fruit battlefield fully expecting to see mom and dad chatting with members of my extended family.
Instead, I was met with the wide, laughing, blue eyes of Walker Thomas!
Chapter Two
Blythe
Ohmigosh, ohmigosh, ohmigosh!
What was Walker Thomas doing in my backyard?! And why, after not seeing him for three years, did I have to look like a homeless person?
“Blythe! Look who’s come back! Mr. Thomas bought his share back from Mr. Lewis last month.” I yanked my gaze away from Walker to stare at my mom who was smiling so big I could see all her teeth. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she wrapped her arm around an equally smiley Mrs. Thomas.
The Thomas’s were moving back? I quickly scanned the rest of the group in the backyard. My whole family was there as well as the Thomas’s. Walker. His parents, Roger and Becky. As well as his brothers, Pete and Leo. Sure enough, the gang was all there.
“What?” I was still trying to process, my brain fuzzy from shock.
“Ew, Blythe, you smell funny.” Joy brushed past me, pinching her nose between her thumb and forefinger as she practically shouted her distaste.
“Joy!” I hissed, my already red cheeks flaming even brighter as I reached up to self-consciously smooth my fly-away hair. It was no use. Joy was right. I smelled terrible. And worse than that, I looked terrible.
Breathing deeply to keep myself from strangling my sister, I snuck a quick glance at Walker. He was still watching me, an amused smile tugging at the corner of his lips. Golly, he was hot! He’d been cute three years ago at fourteen, but now? Sheesh, seventeen looked really, really good on him.
Ugh. I glanced down at my paint st
reaked cut-offs and sighed. What did it matter, anyway? Invisible, remember? I’d been invisible to Walker all those years our fathers worked together, why would I think I’d be anything more than invisible now?
“Blythe, it’s so good to see you again!” Becky moved to give me a hug.
“Oh my gosh, Becky, I’m totally gross from babysitting,” I held her to a side hug, unwilling to allow her any closer. “It’s good to see you, too. When did you guys get back?”
Becky smiled. “We arrived last week, but we stayed with Roger’s parents up until last night.” Becky glanced at my mom, her smile turning into an excited grin.
“Blythe, Becky and Roger bought the Hansen’s house. Isn’t that exciting?” Apparently, it was, because my mom and Becky were about to freaking burst.
The Hansen’s house? I wanted to drop my head in my hands and cry. The Thomas’s had moved into the house directly behind ours! We practically shared backyards, the only thing separating our property from the Hansen’s, or well, the Thomas’s, was a low hedge of dense bushes. My very own bedroom window stared directly into the back of their house.
I glanced between my mom and Becky, finally noticing their expectant expressions. I forced what I hoped looked like an enthusiastic smile to my face. “Wow, that is exciting.”
“Is that Blythe?” Roger, Walker’s dad, boomed from his position beside my dad at the grill.
I turned toward him and offered a weak smile. I really liked Roger. When they lived here before, Roger and Becky were as close to us as our aunts and uncles.
“Woo-ee, aren’t you a doll,” Roger teased with a wink as he started toward me, his arm extended. I met him halfway and allowed another side hug.
“How are you doing, Roger,” I asked, genuinely glad to see him again. He smelled familiar, like cigars and spicy cologne.
“Better now that we’re back home with our family. Ain’t that right, Beck?” Roger called out to his wife, who was chatting animatedly with my mom. Becky glanced over and winked.
“Hey, Dad.” I moved over to stand by my dad as he flipped burgers on the grill.
“How was the last day, sweetie?” Dad asked softly, nudging me with his elbow. Everyone else had fallen into their own conversations. Roger, teasing my sisters while Walker and his brothers kicked around a soccer ball at the back of the yard.
Sighing, I folded my arms across my stomach, still feeling incredibly self-conscious. “Good. I’m glad it’s over. It was fine, but, yeah, I’m glad I’m done.”
Dad nodded. “I get that. You’ve worked hard all summer, you deserve a little break before school starts.”
I pulled at my cami, which clung to my sticky skin. “Dad, I’m going to go take a shower real quick, okay.”
Dad smiled and gave me a quick wink before glancing over where Walker kicked the soccer ball away from his eleven-year-old brother, Pete. “You do that.”
I rolled my eyes and started for the back door of the house.
“Don’t take too long, Blythe. The burgers will be done in a few minutes.” Dad called out, effectively drawing everyone’s attention to my escape.
Thanks, Dad.
I just waved over my shoulder and made a break for it, beyond anxious to get cleaned up and wishing with all my heart I’d come in the front door instead of heading straight to the backyard upon returning home. I pulled out my phone and sent a quick text.
Me: You are not going to believe this!
Lilly: Ooh! Ooh! What?
Me: Guess who is in my backyard right this second?
Lilly: Chris Hemsworth!
Lilly: Shawn Mendez!
Lilly: A Jonas brother? Any of them!
Me: LOL! No!
Lilly: Ok. I give up then. Who?
Me: Walker Thomas!
Lilly: Walker Thomas?!
Lilly: THE Walker Thomas that you’ve had a secret crush on since first grade! THAT Walker Thomas?
Lilly: Why?!
Me: For dinner. They just moved back. And guess where they live?
Lilly: I can’t even.
Me: The Hansen’s house. He practically lives in our backyard!
Lilly: You have got to be kidding me! Are you serious?
Me: I couldn’t make this up if I tried.
After a quick shower, I dressed in a pair of navy capris and a white peasant top. I brushed the wet tangles from my hair, deciding it was too hot to blow dry it even in the air conditioning. Besides, I really didn’t have time. I knew my family wouldn’t start dinner without everyone present and I didn’t want to hold everything up. So, with a quick swipe over my lashes with mascara and a layer of gloss on my lips, I made my way back outside.
I was right. When I opened the back door, I saw that everyone had gathered around the picnic table filled with all kinds of cookout fixings. And they were waiting on me.
“Sorry everybody!” I called out as I made my way down the steps.
“There you are,” Dad said, motioning toward me. “Okay, let’s get this party going. First, I’d like to welcome the Thomas family back to Indiana and especially back to Richardson and Thomas, CPA Firm. I can’t tell you how happy I am to have you back, Rog,” Dad paused to smile and shake Roger’s hand. “I know Claire is just tickled to have Becky as our new neighbor and now our kids can play together, just like they used to.” Dad paused again, his gaze encompassing all of us, a satisfied smile on his face like all was right with his world. “Now enough of that. Let’s eat!”
Everyone laughed when a very bored looking Joy cried out, “Finally!”
We filled our plates amid laughter and catching up. I barely noticed what I put on my plate as I tried to avoid staring at Walker. The adults sat down at a glass topped patio table while the little kids sat at the picnic table. I opted for the back steps, far, far away from my siblings. Watching through my lashes as Walker dug a pop out of a cooler by the picnic table. He glanced at the kids, already laughing about farts and boogers. Eyes wide with a hell, no look about them, Walker turned to where I sat on the steps. A little smile turned his lips up.
He slid his pop can into a pocket on his cargo shorts and made his way over to me. I slid to one side to make room for him.
“You aren’t even going to say hi to me, Bly,” he asked, as he settled in beside me, close enough the hairs on his arms tickled my elbow. I inched away, hoping he thought I was just trying to give him more room. Oh my gosh, he smelled good!
I glanced at him, rolling my eyes and trying to play it cool. “Hi.”
Walker laughed and took a huge bite of his cheeseburger. My hand stopped halfway to my mouth with my own burger as I watched the muscles of his jaw work as he chewed, entranced. He even made chewing hot.
Walker glanced at me and paused mid-bite. He raised a brow in question and I realized I was staring at him.
With my mouth open.
I quickly looked away and stuffed my face with my hamburger.
Walker
Oh, wow. She was just as adorable as I remembered. It had taken all my restraint to not laugh out loud at the expression on her face when she noticed me earlier, when she first walked into her backyard. Her cheeks turned ten shades of red before landing on green. It was hilarious. She was hilarious. It all came rushing back to me, all the fun we’d had as little kids. How much I liked hanging out with Blythe. I had a feeling I was going to enjoy it now just as much as I had before my Dad picked us up and moved us across the country.
I couldn’t believe it when he’d dropped the bomb on us last month that we were moving again and I would be finishing out my senior year of high school in the same school district I’d started kindergarten as a kid. I should have been upset considering I’d been at the high school in California since my freshman year, but I wasn’t. All my best memories were here in Indiana and I planned to come back for college anyway. It seemed like a win-win to me.
I glanced out the corner of my eye at Blythe, who after staring at me like a lunatic, was now studiously avoiding eye contact. I
fought back a grin. She was just so cute.
“So, babysitting, huh?” I asked before taking another bite of my burger. Blythe nodded and chewed faster, her eyes widening. She swallowed hard, her throat convulsing. I tried not to snort.
“Yeah, all summer. Three little boys,” she croaked then cleared her throat. I watched with amusement as she picked up her pop and took a big gulp.
“Three boys, huh?” Lucky little turds. I never had any babysitters that looked like Blythe growing up. And she was fun, too. She probably played games with them rather than messing around on her phone all day.
Blythe rolled her eyes. “Yes, three. And man, are they a handful.”
“Oh, yeah. What’s the craziest thing they did this summer?” Being a guy and having two brothers myself, I knew what kind of trouble little boys could get into.
“Wow, I’m not sure I could narrow it down to one thing.” Her brows pulled down as she thought about it, crinkling her forehead and making me smile.
“Okay, well, then just something crazy they did today.”
Her eyes twinkled with the memory she was about to share. “So, you know kebabs, right? Those skewers you usually cook meat on?”
“Sure.” I nodded and began working on the potato salad. Mrs. Richardson makes the best!
“Well, I saw this idea online to make a rainbow kebab with fruit. You know, red strawberries, orange was cantaloupe,” she stopped and grinned at me from under her lashes. “You get the idea.”
“I get it.”
“Well, I pictured in my head that I’d set out the fruit and give them a skewer and they’d very nicely line up the colors and I’d take a picture of our beautiful kebabs, right?”
“Right.” But I could feel the laughter already building, because there is no way three little boys didn’t wreck her whole crafty food idea.
The Perks of Hating You ( Perks Book 2) Page 23
