Hector’s mouth drops, and he clasps his hands together in excitement, then freezes when he catches the look on Jackson’s face.
“Oh,” he says softly.
Jackson slides his hand over his face and looks at Juju. “You knew how I felt about this.”
“And you know I’ve always thought it was ridiculous,” she snaps. “You don’t get to throw a fit because you’ve decided he’s off-limits.” She turns to me, and the fury is buzzing through her. I stare at her, my shoulders feeling stiff. “And you…you’resorry?”
My brows draw together, and I know the hurt must show in my eyes. “Only that he had to find out this way. I didn’t want this to explode like––”
“You didn’t want to rock the boat.” Her voice is raw and sharp. “You didn’t want to upset Jackson. You wanted to keep me a secret and not upset anyone, not be too obvious…not claim me in front of the people who matter. I haven’t been able to fully settle into us even being real because I’ve been kept a secret this whole time.” She pauses like she’s trying to keep it in, but sheshakes her head and keeps going. “Well, guess what?” Her hand flings out. “Secret’s out now. And half the town is here watching us like we’re a soap opera.”
Hector goes around the cafe and starts conversations like he’s trying to distract everyone from our shit show.
I feel sick, and Jackson’s fists are still balled at his sides.
“I’m mad at both of you,” Juju says, voice breaking, “for making me feel like I’m something to be ashamed of.” She points at Jackson. “Whoever I decide to see, or kiss, or do whatever I want with, has nothing to do with you. If you have a problem with it, that’s on you.” And then she turns to me, and I want to rush to her and kiss the pain out of her. “And if you’re not willing to stand up for us, that’s also on you, but I really do have a problem with that. I deserve to be someone’s priority and to be with someone who’s proud to have me by their side. I am not your dirty little secret.”
Her hands are shaking, and her lip is trembling. The tears in her eyes are killing me.
“You’ve been choosing him since day one, and now you’re choosing him again.” Her voice cracks on the last word.
That hits me hard. I don’t know how, but my voice is steady when I speak. I move closer and lift my hand to touch Juju’s cheek, then pause when she glares at me.
“Juju. I do want to stand up for us, Juju,” I say. “I chooseyou. I’ve always wanted you by my side. I’m so sorry for the way I’ve gone about all of it.”
I glance at Jackson. “I just wanted to do it differently. One on one. No yelling, no fists. Just me telling you how much I love your sister.”
Juju’s mouth drops open. I hear several gasps in the room, one of which is hers.
“You love me?” she asks, incredulous.
I huff out a laugh, my gaze like a caress when I look at her again. “I’m surprised you even have to ask. I’ve been in love with you for so long, I thought everyone must know it.” I feel fierce and vulnerable all at once. “I love everything about you. I always have. I want to spend the rest of my life loving you. I just needed time to convince Jackson that I deserved you…after I was sure I’d convincedyou, that is…not that anyone deserves you. You’re way too good for me. But I wanted to convince you that we belong together anyway.”
I hear a couple of squeals around us that someone tries and fails to smother. Jackson is completely still, like someone’s just yanked the floor out from under him.
“Camden––” Juju says, breathing out my name.
“HaveI convinced you?” I ask her quietly.
She takes a step closer to me, and relief radiates off me when I see the love on her face.
“You have,” she whispers. “I’ve been in love with you for a long time too.”
“Yeah?” I whisper, taking a step closer.
My heart is going nuts.
“God, this is so weird,” Jackson mutters.
Dove says something to him, and he mutters again under his breath.
I hear him say, “But he’s never liked anyone for any length of time!”
And she says, “Because he was into your sister, you dimwit!”
All of a sudden, Juju starts laughing. It begins with a startled burst of laughter, and then she’s clutching her stomach from laughing so hard. I put my arms around her and laugh with her, and it’s contagious. I think everyone’s probably so relieved that no more punches will be thrown today that they start laughing too, but whatever the reasons, we laugh and hold each other, and it feels like maybe everything will be okay.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
