Page 18 of Forbidden King (Magnolia Falls)

Just for me.

Maybe a little for her.

I looked up, and my gaze locked with hers briefly just as Ruby led Cutler from the table and turned the sprinklers on for him. He was running around the yard in the water as we sat there sipping our drinks, and I wanted to change the subject.

“Anywho, it’s bee season, and we should all be aware,” I said.

“I think it’s very manly to be honest about your fears,” Selena said, and I internally groaned because that was like leading a horse to water. She lined that up perfectly for the guys.

“Are we talking about King’s fears?” Hayes said with a cocky grin. “He’s got three fears, and we all know what they are.”

“That doesn’t make you a genius, you dicksicle. I’ve been telling you what they are since we were kids.” I rolled my eyes but found it hard not to laugh.

“Well, not all of us know them. What are they?” Bobby asked, and he seemed a little too excited about hearing what they were, and I shot him a glare.

The guys were all laughing now because they loved to give me shit.

“There’s no shame in being fearful of things. I think we all are,” Saylor said in my defense.

Atta girl.

This girl always had my back, and I’d always have hers.

“Agreed. But King’s fears are not what you’d expect,” River said over his laughter.

“Bees are clearly number one.” Nash nodded confidently. “And I don’t fuck with bees either, so I get it.”

“And clowns, which is fair. They used to freak me out, too,” Romeo admitted.

“Dude. Have you seen that movie where the serial killer is a clown, and he’s worn the makeup for so long that it never washes off his face? It’s stained to look like a fucking killer clown for the rest of his life.” I shivered, and everyone laughed some more.

“I like clowns,” Coach said.

Of course, you do. You also like Speedos, so we aren’t going to trust your judgment.

“Good for you. I hope you don’t find yourself in a dark alley with a serial killer clown and invite him in for a beer.” I raised a brow.

“I’ll keep that in mind, mate. What’s the last one?”

I never hid who I was. I was the life of the party. A perpetual good time. I’d also throw down and fight for the people I loved. I’d fought dudes much larger than I was and walked away without a scratch. I worked hard to build my business, and I put in long hours.

But I didn’t hide the fact that there were three fucking things in this world that I did not care for.

Bees.

Clowns.

And…

“White vans. Our boy can spot a white van from a mile away,” River said.

“I drive a white van,” Coach said. “I haven’t used it much because I can walk everywhere in Magnolia Falls. Why don’t you like white vans?”

Boom.

There you go.

My work here is done.

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