He leads her down the hall. My door opens and closes, and I smile to myself.
Morning light fills the kitchen. I’m at the counter eating cereal from the box, shirtless, because yesterday I learned what that does to June and I’m selfish enough to repeat it.
She walks in looking like she hasn’t slept. I didn’t expect her to. There are deep purple crescents under her eyes.
She sees me and shoots me a look filled with daggers. “Guess you decidedyouneeded a workout last night?” She yanks open a cabinet.
I chew my cereal and say nothing.
She sets her mug on the counter so hard I’m surprised the ceramic doesn’t break. “You sound like a goat.”
I hold in a laugh and grab my coffee mug. I watch her over the rim. Her body is pure tension at this point. She’s jealous, and the jealousy is proof of what I already knew but needed her to show me.
“Can you describe it to me?” I ask calmly.
She pours coffee then slams the coffee pot on the counter. Again, I’m surprised nothing breaks. “And yourexercisebuddy sounds like a donkey.” She mimics what I’d call a moaning donkey.
It’s getting really hard to keep my composure; my eyes are watering from holding in my laugh. I swallow hard before speaking, managing to keep my tone level. “Sounds sexy.”
She rolls her eyes and I’m expecting more jabs thrown my way, but her face suddenly crumples. Her eyes become glassy and her chin trembles once, a micro-movement she tries to hide by turning away from me.
The satisfaction drains from my gut, and I put my mug down. “June,” I start.
Dis-lui.Tell her.
My mouth stays open because I’m about to let it all spill out, to admit it wasn’t me. That there are no other women. There will never be other women. There is only her.It’s only ever been you.And that I love?—
Carter walks in. Vienna is behind him, adjusting the strap of her summer top that has no business being worn during fall.
June gasps and then stares. Vienna doesn’t acknowledge her, just sweeps past to the coffee maker. June’s eyes dart from Vienna to Carter to the hallway. Then she turns to me, putting everything together in her head. And I think she must realize how she just revealed her feelings for me.
We look at each other. When I’m sure she’s going to speak, she doesn’t. Instead, she storms out.
I’m not sure what to do. Ishouldgo after her and apologize, but I’m too shocked at myself—I was about to tell her everything. Now the window is closed, and I can’t tell if I’m relieved or wrecked.
She certainly doesn’t want to hear my feelings now. But I do need to apologize. I just can’t to her face.
Lâche.Coward.
I text her:Sorry about the stunt. It was childish.
The three dots dance on the screen but only for a second.
June:Whatever. I did it to you. We’re both childish I guess. And we’re even.
I pocket my phone. Sure, we’re even, but I don’t want to keep tally anymore.
I want to be honest.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
JUNE
Ifold a sweater and toss it into my luggage. It’s already Sunday afternoon and our little weekend is over.
I’m not sad about leaving. If anything, I’m relieved. This cabin has been gorgeous and it was nice to take a break from normal life, but the past two days have been an emotional obstacle course.
Last night was especially difficult. I lay in the dark listening to what sounded like Dorien having sex. My thoughts were spiraling so much that I had even considered he was fucking Cinna. She’s had a crush on him for years, and we were all pretty drunk last night, so I thought,What if she wandered into his room and he was horny, so…?
