Nice Shot (John Luke Robertson Book 2)

Chapter 8

"Who's ready to partaayyyy?" Sadie yells, turning to us as soon as Phil and Miss Kay are out of the driveway.
"No one, yet. We have to set up," Cole says, whipping his phone out. "John Luke, you and Kaysie need to run to the store and pick up all the stuff on this list that I'm sending you. Sadie, you need to invite people. Reed, you are in charge of music. Lil Will, you help with Sadie or Reed."
"And what are you going to do?" I ask him. He smirks.
"I," he pauses. "Am going to supervise."
"Mhmm. No. You're coming with us," John Luke snatches his wrist and tugs him out the door ahead of him. I laugh as Cole stumbles forward on heavy feet. "Get in the truck." John Luke grabs my hand and leads me to the truck, opening the door and ushering me into the middle seat between Cole and John Luke.
"So, where to first?" I pull my phone out of my pocket and look at the items on the list Cole sent me.
"Either Walmart or Dollar Store, because this is a lot of stuff and we are on a budget," I say, opening the money bag. We all pitched in with 50 dollars each, so our budget is 300. Sounds like a lot, but stuff can be expensive.
"We'll start with Dollar Store," John Luke turns onto a road and I see the green sign for the Dollar Store. Apearently, JL doesn't see it. He stops at the red light without shifting into the then lane.
"You're gonna miss your turn," I say rather loudly and he mumbles under his breath, turning the wheel quickly and landing us in the parking lot of Dollar Store. "Good, God. What would you do without me?"
"Get lost," Cole mutters, unbuckling. I shake my head, exiting the truck and carrying my phone into the store.
"Grab a buggy," I say to my boyfriend. He grabs one and directs it to me. I lean slightly over the infant seat as I push the buggy, looking down at the list on my phone screen. I head to the balloons, grabbing a few packs of 15 ct latex silver, light blue, and black balloons. That's three dollars not including tax. Next, I grab a 160 count of paper napkins for a dollar, two single rolls of paper towels for a dollar each, and twenty silver balloon weights for a dollar each. This all adds up to twenty six without tax. I look back down at the list. Good grief, even as I mark things off it feels like it keeps getting longer and longer. Where's my help?
Just as that thought comes up, I hear a woman yell.
"Excuse me? What do you think you're doing?"
I hear two male chuckles and slap a palm to my forehead, directing the buggy to them. I see John Luke and Cole passing several balloons back and forth.
"Guys!" I scream, their heads snapping towards me. "Put the balloons away and help me." I turn to the cashier. "I'm so sorry."
"Keep a handle on your boyfriends, would you?" She sneers before turning and walking away. I sigh, not talking bac as I look at the two fools I came here with.
"Seriously?" I mutter, shaking my head. "Come on. John Luke, you find toothpicks, trash bags, and some paper cups. Cole, you go get some large plastic bowls and trays. Meet me at the register." My nerves are going to be shot by the end of this adventure. I steer the buggy towards plastic utensils, grabbing a two pack of scoops and two single packs of punch ladles. I grab four packs of 20 count black paper plates. I also pick up three bags of clear plastic tumbler cups, six packs of silver plastic forks, spoons, and knives.
I head to the register to see Cole and John Luke with their arms loaded. Cole has two round, clear plastic sectioned serving trays, two plastic crystal-cut chip and dip trays, two large plastic bowls, and two plastic catering bowls. John Luke has a toothpick assortment, pull-toe drawstring trash bags, and two packs of 10 count black paper cups. They drop the items on the counter at the register and begin helping me unload the buggy.
"Your total is 56.21," the old cashier lady says in a monotone voice. I pull out a fifty and a ten from my money pouch and hand it over. She hands me my change and receipt and the boys help grab the bags. We don't even have to take the buggy out, surprisingly. We put the bags down in the bed of John Luke's truck and hop in.
"I'm sorry," John Luke says, grabbing my hand as Cole struggles with his seatbelt.
"Don't be. I'm not upset," I smile up at him. He plants a kiss on my nose and starts the truck.
*******************
Once we get to Walmart, John Luke and Cole go running while I grab a buggy. I take a deep breath and look down at my list. I end up grabbing cups, a helium balloon tank, glow in the dark neon paint, a few black lights, a table cover, some awesome Chinese lanterns, tape, push pins, two disco balls, and two spinning balls that have different colored light circles, tissue Pom poms, round paper lanterns, glow sticks, streamer, entryway curtains, light strings, a few more balloons and plates and cups, and silver star hanging decorations. I find the boys gazing at the food, their arms loaded down with Cheez-Its, potato chips, chip dips, tortilla chips, salsa, Rice Krispie treats, Oreos, Cheetos, pretzels, carrots, celary, bread, condiments, hot dogs, lunch meat, apples, peaches, pears, strawberries, and bananas. They are currently staring at Fruit Roll-Ups and Gushers, trying to figure out how to get them
"Guys," I say. They turn to me with happiness, rushing to the buggy to drop the stuff in. There's nothing worse than grocery shopping with two hungry teenage boys. "Whoa!" John Luke grabs a few boxes of the fruit roll ups and Gushers. "We have a budget!"
"There's no way this adds up to more than our budget. Relax. We have to go get drinks. Race ya," John Luke turns to Cole with an evil grin as they begin racing to the soft drinks. I follow after them, praying that I have enough money.
"Root beer, Sprite, Sunkist, Coke, Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Yoo Hoo, Capri Suns, Fruit Punch, Lemonade, Gatorade, and Mountain Dew," Cole says, putting the items in the buggy.
"Okay, that's it. Let's go before we're all broke," I say.
******************
We end up with twenty-two dollars left over with a few coins. John Luke drives us back to Miss Kay and Phil's. Loud music is coming from the basement, Lil Will is sitting in the living room with an invitation check list, and Sadie is walking back and forth in the kitchen with a phone to her ear. John Luke, Cole and I grab the bags and tote them into the basement. Reed and Lil Will have moved the bed out of the basement and into the storage room. A few tables are set up on the left wall for snacks and drinks. Reed set up a small table in the corner where large and loud speakers rest with an iPod hooked up to it. So that's where the music is coming from. There's a small sitting area with a glass bottle in one corner and a gray couch in the other with a tv. There's a fridge and shelves filled with chips and crackers. Another shelf rests above the sitting area with card and board games.
I begin taking out dishes and decorations, emptying food in the plastic containers and setting up the lanterns, balloons, streamers, and the other stuff. I use the helium tank to blow up the balloons, then place them in the silver balloon weights, placing them all around the room. I hang the streamers and lanterns and lights from the ceiling. I tape the black entryway curtain that has silver streamers as well. The stars hang from various spots. The table cloth is already under the multiple cups, plates, silverware, bowls, trays, paper towels, and napkins on the table. The boys are currently making sandwiches in the kitchen.
I clean up the grocery bags and take then upstairs, throwing them in the bin I the pantry. I grab two plastic trash bins from outside, putting the trash bags in and carrying them to the basement. As soon as I get to the last stair, I tumble. The bins go flying and my body slams down on the ground, rolling forward. My ankle screams in pain and I clench my eyes shut, gritting my teeth as I stand.
"Kaysie, you should've asked for help!" Reed screams, frantic as he rushes to me, helping me stand. "John Luke! It's Kaysie!" As soon as the name is out, a set of footsteps barrels down the stairs.
"What happened?" He demands, wrapping an arm around my waist and supporting my weight.
"I'm fine. I have to finish setting up," I say, determined. This party has to be awesome.
"I'll finish. Sadie can help me. You go let John Luke to take care of you," Reed says, releasing my arm and picking up the trash bins.
"I can take care of myself," I say stubbornly, ripping myself out of John Luke's grasp and taking a step forward. Bad move. My ankle stalls, twists, and crumbles. Two hand grab under my arms before my knees hit the floor.
"Just let me help you," John Luke says. I shake my head, picking up a plastic bag. I grab the 100 count pack of glow sticks, emptying them and dropping them into some of the black, paper cups. "Kaysie."
"JL," I say, looking back at him. I hop on one foot to the next bag, bending forward to get it.
"You're so hard-headed," John Luke mumbles, grabbing the bag for me. I take it from his hands angrily. I can handle myself. My ankle will be fine.
I pick up the three black lights I bought, placing one in the back corner and one against the left wall. I drop the other under the food table, plugging them up. They glow purple, so I'm not sure why they're called black lights. I guess because they blacken everything out except neon colors and white?
I pick up the next bag, grabbing the neon paints. I place them on one of the tables that doesn't have food all over it. This table has glow sticks, the paints, two silver ballon weights with short blue balloons, and some battery-ran candles in neon colors. Sadie came up with the candles. She bought them for a party two years ago and never used then but never got rid of.
"Okay," I sigh, picking up the empty bags. "Let's go get those sandwiches." I hop up the first stair before John Luke knocks his arm into my calves. "Ah!" I scream as I fly back, landing in John Luke's arms bridal style. "JL, I swear. You're gonna be the death of me." I glare as he smirks, ascending up the stairs. He tosses me gently on the couch.
"Stay."
"Yes, master," I mutter, folding my arms. John Luke walks behind me, leaning down so his lips brush my ear.
"I can be your master," he whispers. A shiver rolls down my spine. What has gotten into him?
"Can you two save the PDA for a time when I'm not here?" A voice asks, sounding disturbed and amused.
"Hunter!" I sque, attempting to stand before John Luke places an arm across my collar bone, pressing me into the couch. "Let me see my brother."
"He can come to you," John Luke says. Hunter smile,s coming around the couch. He leans down to embrace me. I wrap my arms around him as John Luke leaves to the kitchen. Hunter sit beside me.
"So, how are things living on your own?" I ask.
"Boring. I still only have a bed and couch. I've been painting and working. I have to get some furniture, because the furniture Mom offered me looked like it was a hundred years old." At the mention of my mom, I cringe. She's been staying with Hunter since the whole breakdown I had. Three people in one apartment has to be crowded.
"How's Kason?" I ask, changing the subject.
"Pretty good. He's acting normal, like before he was diagnosed," Hunter says. "Mom took him out shopping, so I decided to come visit my little sister. You weren't at home, so I figured you'd be here. Where is Miss Kay?"
"She and Phil are on their way to their second honeymoon. They're going to be in Florida for three days," I explain.
"So you're having a party?" Hunter asks. I hear John Luke's footsteps as he brings a chair, a pillow, a towel, and a bag of ice.
"How did you know?"
"Sadie invited me by text," Hunter answers, watching John Luke set up the chair and pillow, pulling my foot onto it. "What happened?"
"I fell down the last stair of the basement a few minutes ago," I say, looking down at my swollen ankle as John Luke places the ice bag with a paper towel around it on it.
"Still clumsy I see," Hunter comments. I slap his arm and he laughs. "Is it broken?"
"I don't think so. I think it's just sprained," John Luke replies, kneeling next to my foot. "Do you want some medicine for the pain?"
"No. It's throbbing, but it's not bad. Just go put the sandwich tray on the food table, please."
"Okay," John Luke walks to the kitchen and I focus on my brother.
"What happened with you and Mom, Kaysie?" He faces me. I knew it was coming. That question.
"She was acting like she cares, Hunter. I know she doesn't. She thinks I'm a liar begging for attention after that Jackson thing," I can see fury in my brother's eyes at the mention of that. "And she cheated on Dad. Does that show us that she cares? I don't think so."
"Kaysie, she's your mother," Hunter says.
"Yeah, legally. Korie, I will claim. She's amazing. Mom? She's just the woman who put me on this earth. Dad raised me. Korie cares about me. That's how I see it," I uncross my arms and grab the tv remote.
"Hey, pretty soon Korie will be your mother-in-law," Hunter lightens the mood. My cheeks heat.
"Hush," I mumble, flipping through the channels. I spot a rerun of Duck Dynasty and select it. It's the one about the Hawaii trip.
The front door opens and I turn to see Sadie letting Alison in.
"What are you doing here?"
"You sent me a party invite."
"Well, my mistake. You're uninvited. Get out," Sadie sneers at Reed's... ex?
"Sadie, I apologized to Reed. W'ere friends," Alison says.
"Well, we aren't. I am I'm charge of invites. I revoke the one given to you. Leave. Now," Sadie says, slamming the door in her face.
"What happened with them?"
"She cheated on him with his best friend," Sadie answers. Her eyes shift to Hunter. "Hey."
"Hey," his face brightens as he stands and walks to her. They're so cute they stand in the kitchen for a good while, hugging and chatting.
Soon, I get bored and lonely. I proceed to stand, testing my ankle. I think it just twisted, because it's terabyte now. I can walk in it. It's irritating, the throbbing and pain, but bearable. I head down the stairs carefully, spotting John Luke and Reed adjusting the balloons.
"What are you doing up?" John Luke inquires when he spots me.
"I got lonely. My ankle is fine, I promise," I tell him with a smile. He pecks my lips and wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me flush against him.
"Ready to party?"
"We have to cut the lights," I say.
"Hold on," John Luke heads back up the stairs and comes back with some white candles ran by batteries, like the neon ones, and places them on the stairs. "I don't want anyone calling because they can't see."
"Oh!" Reed grabs a plastic bag. " This is awesome!" He pulls out the disco balls we got from Walmart, along with the light balls that spin around with different colors light circles. He stands on the couch and hangs the balls with push pins. He hops down and starts the music. I flick the lights off. Whoa. The balloons and stars glow, as well as The white walls and everything neon or white. My white shoes and white tank top glow.
"Ha! This is awesome!" I yell over the music. Just then, the basement door opens and multiple people come rushing in.
**************
The basement is filled with people. I didn't know there were this many people here. Sadie painted my face with neon paints, so I glow in green and orange. "Just Lose It" by Eminem plays through the speakers as I make my way around the room. A game of spin the bottle is happening in the corner, a couple is making out on the gray couch, a few people linger by the food table, and everyone else is dancing like crazy. I spot John Luke leaning against the wall. I head to him just as the song changes to "Don't Take the Girl" by Tim McGraw.
"Care to dance?" John Luke ask,s grabbing my hand. I smile when he does, because his perfectly white teeth glow from the black light. I nod, letting hi lead me to the dance floor. My ankle has eased up on the pain. I let John Luke sway us from side to side as tears fall from my eyes. "Why are you crying?" John Luke holds my face in his hands, wiping the tears away.
"This song is so sad," I say as Tim sings about the teenage boy offering the keys to his car as long as the stranger doesn't take the girl.
"And sweet. I would do the same for you," John Luke says. I smile up at him, but my heart breaks as these lyrics come up.

Johnny hit his knees, and there he prayed

'Take the very breath you gave me

Take the heart from my chest

I'll gladly take her place if you'll let me

Make this my last request

Take me out of this world

God, please don't take the girl'

"Kaysie, don't cry, please." John Luke kisses my cheeks, making the tears go away.
"It's just so sad and sweet."
"Know that I'll do that for you, okay? I love you, baby. So much"
"JL, if I'm dying from labor don't take my place. Don't pray to take my place. You need to take care of our baby," I cry.
"But when we have a baby, he or she will me it's mother."
"Father. It will need a father. Sadie can teach everything girly to her if it's a girl, and if it's a boy then you can teach him everything," I say. He shakes his head.
"I couldn't live without you, baby," he says, pressing a passionate kiss to my lips. He grips the back of my neck and my hands tug at his hair. He moans softly, pulling away. "I love you," he whispers, his forehead against mine.
"I love you, too," I say.
"Do you wanna go somewhere?" John Luke asks. I nod.
"Somewhere quiet."