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But the door never slams. Instead, I hear Poppy’s voice pitch up in shock.
“Juliet! What are you doing here?”
Shit.
I glance at my watch, heat blazing my face. It’s not even eight p.m. yet. I wasn’t expecting Juliet for at least another hour or two.
Poppy and Juliet appear in the doorway of the kitchen, Juliet’s cheeks stained a bright pink as her gaze flies around the table. First at me, then at my brothers.
A hand on Juliet’s shoulder, Poppy thrusts her in my direction.
“King’s just full of surprises tonight.”
12
JULIET
Well, this is awkward.
Hadn’t planned on seeing the whole Montgomery gang tonight. But I guess it’s time for King to put his money where his mouth is and fess up.
My eyes meet his across the room, his navy gaze filled with panic. None too inspiring.
He clears his throat, breaking the silence.
“Y’all know Juliet.”
Poppy shakes her head, her blonde ponytail swishing through the air. “You’re unbelievable, King Montgomery. Honestly?—”
She tightens her grip on my arm, pushing me across the kitchen as my mind whirs with all the wild thoughts and possibilities of what could happen right now. Kinda feels like walking into the lions’ den, complete with the baring of sharp teeth.
“Don’t act dumb in front of us, King. Tell us what’s going on here. Right the fuck now.”
Poppy shoves me toward him, and I stumble forward, feeling like an intruder, a captive who crossed over into enemy territory and was caught. My hip hits the edge of the table, and King stands, catching me before I fall into his lap. His large hands grip my biceps, and I take a deep breath, inhaling his spicy scent.
“Calm down, Poppy. And not that it’s any of your concern, but I invited Juliet over. Because this is my house and all.” He looks past me, his stare flinty. Clearly not interested in answering questions.
“So you’re, like, dating? Hooking up?”
“Geez, Poppy. Nosy much?” Parker cuts in, chiding his twin sister. “King and Juliet are grown-ups. They don’t have to answer to you, me, or anyone else.”
“Exactly,” King growls, thrusting out his chin, and I’m not sure how I feel about his response. Kinda lukewarm, to be honest.
“I’m tired of all the damn lies, guys. Sure, he can hook up with whomever he pleases. But since when did honesty fly out the window with all of you? First you, Parker—” She whirls to face him, pointing her index finger accusatorily. “Sneaking around with my bestie, no less. Then Rome and Skye.” She glares across the table at Roman. “So many secrets, I can’t even keep track of them all. And now King. What the hell?” She pivots to face me and King, her lower lip trembling. I’m not sure with anger or sadness, or maybe a combo of both.
“We were never like this. Not when Mom and Dad were alive. And it needs to stop. Right now.” Poppy crosses her arms over her chest, frowning.
King lets out a long, low sigh. I’m fully regretting cutting my shift short.
“Fine. You want to know the truth? We’re, uh, kind of seeing each other.” King stumbles over the words, and my gut roils with anxiety. I’m not sure what I expected him to say. Because what are we doing? Getting reacquainted? And how much do I want him to tell his family?
The whole truth.
That’s what. The realization bubbles up inside me, but I keep my lips sealed tight. This is King’s deal, his kin, and he needs to handle them how he sees fit. We can fight about it later.
“Since when?” Poppy keeps on keeping on, not letting anything go, mining for details.
“Recently.” King shuts her down with a terse one-word response.
