Page 19 of Fixing the Grumpy Pumpkin King
“Joking. He’s joking.”
Rowan studied Jack for a long moment. His expression was unreadable. “You’re kind of weird, you know that?”
“I’ve been told.”
“How long are you staying in Hollow Hill again?”
“That depends.”
“On what?”
“Various factors.” Jack’s gaze slid to Locke, holding there.
Rowan followed the look, something knowing flickering across his face. “He always this vague?” he asked Locke.
“Pretty much.”
Rowan headed for the door, then paused with his hand on the handle. “Well, enjoy your mess. Let me know when it’s clean enough for company cause I still want that sleepover.”
The door chimed as he left.
Silence.
Locke exhaled slowly. “That was awkward.”
“Was it?” Jack examined his claws with exaggerated disinterest.
“Jack. He knows something’s up.”
“He suspects you’re hiding something. Not the same as knowing.”
“He’s my best friend. I hate lying to him.”
“You’re not lying. You’re simply... withholding details.”
“That’s literally what lying is.”
“Semantics.”
Chapter Six
TwoweeksofJackattempting to teach him magic and of Locke failing spectacularly at every single attempt.
Fire magic? Nearly burned down the shop. Thank god for Jack’s quick reflexes and the fire extinguisher under the counter.
Plant growth? He’d made the vines in the apartment grow so aggressively they’d started creeping down into the shop.
Elemental manipulation? He’d accidentally frozen all the pipes. They’d had no running water for six hours until Jack fixed it.
Locke proved himself to be possibly the worst warlock in existence.
But that wasn’t even the most mortifying part.
No, the most mortifying part had been last Friday morning.
Locke had woken up earlier than usual, headed toward the bathroom for his shower, and opened the door just as Jack was stepping out.
Completely naked.
