Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 94119 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 471(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94119 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 471(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
“Yeah,” I said, and sat on bed too, leaning against the headboard.
June frowned. “What did you draw?” My stomach flipped. I didn’t think she’d want to see it. I didn’t want her to be sadder than she already was. I shrugged again, and June asked, “Can I take a peek?”
I hesitated, but June’s stare was bold. Unable to say no to her, I reached for the sketchpad and opened it to the page. I handed it to her, searching her face for any sign that it was upsetting her.
“When was this from?” she asked quietly.
“Today,” I rasped, “the moment I told you the treatment hadn’t worked on me too.”
June nodded and ran her hand down her portrait’s tearstained cheek. But she didn’t seem upset—rather, in awe. Raising her gaze to meet mine, she said, “I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared as when you told me it hadn’t worked for you.”
My heart slammed against my ribs. “Same,” I said, and still felt the shivers that had accosted my body when June shared her news. Still felt the utter unfairness at how my girl might not be saved. How we felt for one another turned to static in the air between us.
“Come here,” I said, and held out my arms. June placed the sketch, along with her notebook, beside her, then crawled up the bed. She fell into my arms and her warmth sank into my bones. I wrapped my arms around her and June tucked her head into the crook of my neck.
I ran my hand over her scarf-free head. She was dressed in white pajamas and fluffy, pink socks. I was in an old pair of lounge pants and a threadbare McIntyre football training shirt.
“Jesse?” June asked, just after a huge crack of thunder came from outside.
“Yeah?” I said, kissing her smooth scalp.
June lifted her head until she met my eyes. “I have loved every minute of being with you.” My stomach sank, because although the words were heaven to my ears, her tone was sad.
“We’ll have more,” I said, wishing it could be a promise instead of a wish. “Many more.”
“But if we don’t,” she said, then traced the edge of my lips with her finger. I had to rub them together when it tickled. June’s smile was blinding. She quickly sobered. “If we don’t, I just need you to know that meeting you…being with you has been the highlight of my life.”
“Ditto,” I said in lieu of a better response. I didn’t think I’d able to say them even if I’d had them. A few moments later, I said, “You’re not giving up on me are you, Junebug? These things you’re saying seem kind of final.”
She shook her head. “Never, but I’m done with holding things back. If I want to say something to someone, I’m going to.” Meeting my gaze head-on, June confessed, “I’ve fallen for you, Jesse Taylor. Hook, line, and sinker. And I know I will continue to fall for you even more. The way I feel for you…could be endless.”
“Junebug…” I murmured, giving myself time to let her words penetrate. I ran my hands up her back, then cupped both her cheeks. Making sure I had her full attention, I said, “I am irresistible. A total fucking snack.”
June burst out laughing, and I couldn’t resist kissing her lips. I pulled her in, and she quickly parted her mouth. I kissed her deeper. I didn’t know if it was the news we’d received today, or the sharing of our ever-growing feelings, but this kiss felt different. It was all-consuming and wrapped in love.
June mirrored my hands and put her palms on my cheeks. She kissed me back like there was no tomorrow. When we broke away, she smiled at me, and it shattered my heart. She was so beautiful. I kissed her one more time, and when she leaned her chin on her hand, watching me, I said, “I’m damn glad your dad didn’t see that kiss. He’d have been after me with his shotgun. My ten percent chance would have dropped to zero.”
June threw her head back and laughed harder than before. Every laugh from her lips was a shot of tonic I so desperately needed. We had to live. Both of us. I could entertain no other outcome.
Something caught June’s attention across the room. “You didn’t have your football with you at the stables today.” She pointed to where it sat on the chair in the corner, then turned to me. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you without it.”
“I don’t remember the last time I didn’t have it in my hands,” I replied. It seemed like she was trying to read my face, so I said, “When I realized you hadn’t gone back to the rec room, I went out searching for you.” I ran my hand down my face. “I didn’t even know I’d left it behind until I came back to my room and I saw it on the chair.” My stomach turned with nerves as I said, “My goal has always been football. Getting to UT, the NFL et cetera.” I glanced at the football, then concentrated back on June. Her brown eyes were wide as she waited for me to go on. “Today, I knew something had happened to you. In that moment, for once, I didn’t even think about my football not being in my hands. And I came to realize something else.”