Chapter 6
JUNE
When I wake up, the guy is gone. A part of me is disappointed because we had an extraordinary night.
Unforgettable.
I stretch, push myself out of bed and smile when I find a note and a few origami flowers made from the hotel notepad on my nightstand.
Thank you for this night.
I recall the heat in his kiss. How alive I felt in his arms. The feeling disappears fast when I remember the guy doesn’t fit into my plans. This was perfect, I feel refreshed and relaxed.
Who knew casual sex was so liberating?
No names, no commitments, no expectations. This was the perfect ending to my old life and the beginning of a new one. Next year, everything is going to change.
“You got this, June!”
I pack my things, check my phone, and make sure I have the address for the house I’m looking at today. And surprise, surprise. The asshole who manages the company cancels on me via text.
Unknown: We have to cancel the showing of the house on Viking Lane. There’s no one available to meet you this week.
I call the company’s phone number and the stupid voicemail picks up right away and I leave a message. “How can you be in business when you’re so unreliable? If I don’t see the house, I won’t lease it. Find someone to show it to me.”
Disappointed, I drive by the house to make sure it’s not the money pit and looks exactly how the videos and pictures showed.
At least, from the outside. The place is beautiful, even when some of the greenery is dead because winter is coming.
There’s more to the house than just a mansion, it’s a place—a fairy tale waiting for a happy ending to happen.
The possibilities of what I can do with it during the holidays are endless.
I can hire a company to decorate it with twinkle lights.
Not just the house but all the evergreens that surround it.
If I’m lucky, it might snow enough that I can have a white Christmas.
Maybe I can stay here for the entire year—the doctor said things might not work the first time around.
When I arrive at Jackson’s house, Emmeline, his wife, is the only one there.
“Where is everyone?” I ask.
“Your brothers and your dad went fishing, they’ll be back tonight. They have some crazy schedule to follow.” She rolls her eyes. “On Thursday they are running a marathon, in case you want to go along. Your mom went to buy a few things we’re missing.”
I assume that Eileen, Jason’s wife, is with him. It’s a relief not to have Jackson asking me about my life, my company, and my plans as I enter the house. He thinks that as the big brother he should know everything.
It’s also refreshing not to have Alex ask me about his life the moment he spots me. That’s the problem with being his agent and sister. Jason is the only one who doesn’t put me through a thorough interview every time he sees me.
“Where are Jeannette and Teagan?”
She frowns. “Their plane doesn’t arrive until tomorrow.”
Bitch, seriously? I had dinner with her last night. Liar. I grab my phone and text her.
June: You owe me.
Jeannette: Why?
June: You’re not at Jackson’s.
Jeannette: Fuck, weren’t you staying at the hotel?
June: For one night.
Jeannette: Can we be even?
June: How long are you hiding from them?
Jeannette: I said I’d arrive tomorrow at four?
June: You definitely owe me.
Jeannette: Love you!
As I’m about to text her, I receive another text from the unknown number.
Unknown: You can have one month free to make up for today. Let us know how you want to proceed.
I grin.
“Everything okay?” Em asks as she pours a glass of wine and hands it to me. “It’s just the two of us. The girls are taking a nap.”
“Yeah, I thought Jeannette was arriving last night,” I say casually. “And the management company is offering me a deal. A free month.”
“You could stay here,” she offers.
“With my brother hovering?” I shake my head. “You’re a saint for taking him off our hands.”
“How are you feeling?”
I take a deep breath. “Good, I’ve been taking hormones. My mood swings aren’t bad but I’m horny as fuck. It’s a process.”
A long process because the doctor said that it can happen at the first try or … might take longer.
“Everything will work out,” she assures me. “Trust the journey.”
And I do because I know what’s waiting for me at the end of the path.
“I’m skeptical because it might not happen, and I might have to—” What are my options?
The doorbell interrupts us. She smiles and says, “Hold that thought, let me check who it is. Your brother’s gadgets are convenient if not a pain in the ass at times.”
She checks her phone and says, “It’s your mom. Are you still not telling them?”
I shake my head. “Not yet. You and Hannah are the only ones who know about it.”
Hannah, my best friend and next door neighbor, is one of my biggest supporters. Well, her and Emmeline. My family won’t learn until the treatment has worked. If I say anything before, they’re going to talk me out of it. Don’t get them wrong, my family is loving and supportive but not all the time.
“Just remember there’re many options and you have to stay positive,” she says, walking away. “We can talk about this later.”
I take a deep breath and focus on something else because Mom can sense when something is happening to me. She just does.
“Junie Bean!” Mom says when she walks into the house.
“Hey, Mom,” I greet her, marching to meet her so I can help her with the sacks she carries.
“Go outside and help Em, I left more things in the trunk.”
“Did you buy the entire store again?” I ask and don’t wait for the answer. I know it. She bought everything she could because Jack and Em could use stuff in the future.
Like during Armageddon or whatever catastrophe happens from now and until the next time she visits. How does Em feel about Mom? I bet she hates her.
“She’s nice,” I assure her. “She has good intentions just …”
“I know, and I actually love when she does this kind of thing,” she says, smiling. “You’re lucky to have her.”
“Depends on how you define lucky,” I counter.
Mom can be overbearing with me, the baby.
“Look, your life is going to change in ways you can’t understand. I know because it’s been night and day since the girls came into our lives. Your parents make it less stressful when they’re around. I’m sure it’d be easier if you had your mom by your side.”
“Once it happens, she’ll be my first call. For now, I’d rather have her in China, or was it first India and next February, Thailand? I can’t keep track where they travel anymore.”
“Something like that.” Em chuckles.
My parents travel a lot and even when they send us their itineraries, I lose track of where they went and where they’re going to be. I just know they’re always a call away if I need them.
“What’s going on, Junie?” Mom asks when I enter the kitchen carrying some of the bags.
“Excuse me?”
“Something is happening to you,” she declares.
Call it a mother’s instinct but this woman is like a bloodhound. While growing up, we could never sneak out of the house, break curfew, or lie to her in general.
If Mom knows there’s trouble, she doesn’t let things go until she figures it out. So it’s time to use a truth to cover another one.
“Well, I met a guy last night, I just …” I shrug.
“You don’t think he’s going to call you?”
I know he won’t, but I slump my shoulder and try to look sadder than I feel. It is a little depressing to know sex can be so much better than I’ve experienced before but it’s over.
“He won’t,” I answer. “We didn’t exchange numbers …” Or names.
She gives me that smile that says, it’s going to be okay.
You’ll find the guy, no need to rush it.
You’re smart, brilliant, and any guy would be lucky to have you.
These days it’s harder for you young ones to meet people.
I like technology and understand how times change but it’s sad that the connections get lost in the Internet.
She’s been giving me that same speech since I turned thirty. I know it by heart. I can recite it in my sleep. Those words haven’t done anything but make me feel like I have to just hide how shitty it feels to be lonely—while everyone finds their other half.
“When are you and Dad leaving for India?” I ask, trying to change the conversation.
“Monday,” she responds. “We’re actually going to Peru.”
Em and I shrug. Well, we were way off.
Mom hugs me and says, “But if you need us you’re going to call us, right?”
“You don’t have to worry about us, we’re all adults,” I pause, “except Alex. He needs a babysitter.”
Mom places her fists on her hips and glares at me. Not sure if she’s trying to say, leave your brother alone or I don’t believe any of the shit you just said.
“Really, Mom, we’ll be okay,” I assure her.
“I just have a feeling that you’re hiding something from me and I’m giving you space but only for so long.”
“You’re the best,” I declare, hugging her tight. “I’ll be fine, I promise.”