“No,” Juniper repeated. “Leanne didn’t do anything wrong.”
“So why are you avoiding her?” Rowan asked.
“Fine, Row.” She closed her eyes and spoke very quietly. “I’m avoiding her to try to get over her.”
Rowan didn’t say anything. The cicadas, crickets, and the bubbling water of the fountain seemed louder when no one was talking. Finally, Rowan spoke. “Why do you need to getoverher? You were neverunderher, were you?” His eyes went comically wide. “Right?”
I stifled a laugh. This family was really my favorite.
Juniper opened her eyes and shrugged. “I had a crush I was dealing with.”
He blew out a puff of air. “Seriously, June? OnLeanne?”
“Wait,” I said to June. “Did he not know you were into girls? Did you just come out to your brother?”
“No, he already knows.” She glared at Rowan. “I had a girlfriend when I was thirteen, remember?”
“But you’re my little sister! You’re not supposed to have a crush on my best friend!”
Juniper threw her hands in the air. “I know! I’m trying not to! But y’all keep throwing her in front of me! With that hair...and her laugh...”
Rowan’s eyes were as big as peonies. I gathered he wasn’t used to thinking of his sister as a sexual being.
“Rowan.” I gave him a sweet look. “Your sister was honest with you about her feelings. Maybe now is not the time to go caveman big brother?”
“Oh,” he said, rubbing the back of his head. “Yeah, of course. I can keep this on the down low if you want, June. I won’t tell Leanne—”
“She knows,” June said.
Somehow Rowan’s eyes got even bigger. “She knows? Why hasn’t anyone told me? What did she do...she better not have...I’m calling her.” He pulled his phone out.
Juniper took the phone from her brother’s hands. “Row, it’s fine. Everything is good. I’ve just been keeping some distance. There is no need for anyone to panic here.”
“Are you sure, June?” Rowan asked. “I can talk to her—”
“Rowan, don’t embarrass your sister,” I said.
Juniper stood, handing her brother back his phone. “Thank you, Tahira. And Row? Forget everything I just said. I’m going to bed.”
She shook her head as if disappointed in herself and went into the house.
“Nice job on the overprotective-brother thing,” I said to Rowan once June was gone.
Rowan still looked like he’d been hit by a truck. “JuniperandLeanne?”
“I have no idea what Leanne is thinking,” I said, “but hypothetically, if they’re both into it, then what’s the problem? Honestly, I kinda ship it.”
“It’s...” He frowned. “Little sisters should be aromantic. It would make it easier on the older siblings.”
I snorted. “My little sister has had the same boyfriend since, like,forever, and yet I still manage to form complete sentences. Is this because she likes girls?”
“What? No, of course not. I mean, at least she won’t have to deal with teenage boys, because sometimes we only think about one thing.”
“Teenage girls can be horny, too.” I mean, hehadto know that. He’d been dating me for two weeks. We may not have had sex yet, but I couldn’t keep my hands off him.
He cringed. “Can we not use the word ‘horny’ when talking about my sister? Or my best friend, who’s been like a sister to me my whole life?”
I laughed, getting up from my seat on the couch opposite him. I sat on his lap and draped my arms around his neck. “We can talk about something else. Or we can do something else. I doubt Gia will be home anytime soon.”
