I rolled my eyes, and she laughed.
“Hear me out,” she said. “I think it’s the real thing. That might not be something you want to hear, but I think you need to…because I’ve seen the way she looks at you too.” She leaned in and squeezed my arm. “Be patient, my love. Let her soar in college. Let her experience life a little bit. She’ll come back, and if it’s meant to be, when the timing is right, you’ll be together.”
“Wow. I had no idea…no idea you knew any of this. I try not to even––” I cleared my throat. “I’ve tried to will it away. The feelings, you know? I haven’t even wanted to admit it to myself most of the time. Jackson was always so mad about how close we were, and he and I promised each other we wouldn’t go there with the sisters. And…and I thought going 1,200 miles away would take care of it. I’ve dated, I’ve tried to stop thinking about her…”
“Honey, you care about her. You really do.” She leaned in. “Dare I say that you might even love her.”
My eyes bulged, and I swallowed hard. Shit. I knew I loved Juju like I loved my family and Jackson, but she was also different. Mom was talking aboutlovelove, and I couldn’t believe I’d never come to this conclusion on my own. Because when she said it, everything clicked into place.
I loved Juju.
My phone buzzed on the countertop, and since it was face up, I saw that it was Juju. I grabbed it and showed Mom. Her eyes widened.
“Answer it!” she whispered.
“Hello, Juju?” I said.
“Camden,” she said, her voice breaking. “I…would you…I didn’t know who else to call. Can you come get me?”
I was already standing up and grabbing my keys. “Where are you? I’ll be right there.”
I motioned to my mom that I was going to get her, and she nodded, blowing me a kiss.
“I’m at the St. Paul Hotel.” She sniffed, and the sound tugged at my chest.
I reached my car and got in. “Okay, I’m on my way. Already backing out. It’ll take about twenty minutes, at most. Are you safe? Do you want to stay on the phone with me until I get there?”
“Yes, please,” she said. “I’m safe, but I’d feel better talking.”
“Okay, I’m right here.”
I made it in fifteen minutes, and during that time, we talked about nonsense. I told her about the crackers my mom and I liked. That I hadn’t played broomball since last Christmas, but that Tully had insisted we try a version of it this summer, which made her laugh. I asked him why we couldn’t just play hockey like normal people.
By the time I got there, she sounded lighter, and when I pulled up and saw her standing at the door of the lobby, my heart dipped in relief.
I got out and jogged over to help her to the car.
“Thank you,” she said after I’d closed the door behind her.
I ran around, and when I got in the driver’s seat and looked at her, she was glancing down at her hands, her eyes glassy and her hands shaky.
“Juju,” I whispered. “What can I do?”
She glanced at me, and a tear dripped down her cheek. “You’ve already done enough by coming to get me.”
“Can I ask what happened?”
A little sob came out, and she shook her head slightly, touching the back of her hand to her mouth. “I’m okay. I’m being ridiculous.” She took a shuddering sigh. “I lied when I said Eric and I were having sex. We didn’t have sex until tonight, and it was…okay, but…after…” She wiped the tears that were falling freely now. “Afterward, someone came to the door. He stepped out and I went to the bathroom, and I heard him bragging about it to his friend. But then he talked about me not being as good of a lay as Jerica Adams. I don’t even know who Jerica Adams is! And it was my first time! I’ll get better.” A whole slew of tears came, which just about did me in.
“Son of a bitch,” I muttered. “What a fucking slimeball. You deserve so much better than that, Juju.”
“Anyway. We’re done. He got mad when I broke up with him and refused to bring me home. He paid so much for the room and all that.” She waved her hand dismissively. “I couldn’t stay in there another second.” Her face crumbled again. “I didn’t want to ruin Goldie’s night, and I really didn’t want Jackson to know about this.” Her eyes widened. “You can’t tell him, Camden. Promise me you won’t.”
“I won’t, I promise.”
She drew in a long inhale and relaxed against the seat. When we pulled into her driveway, I came around and helped her as she was getting out of the car. We were quiet as I walked her to the door.
“You look really beautiful tonight, Juju. I hope you know that.”
