Page 11 of Next Time We'll Fall

“Hey, so I guess there’s going to be a contest later,” Juniper says after returning to the group. “And that guy over there, John, he asked me if I would like to participate.”

“What? Just you?” Rosie frowns. “What about us?”

“He said that I had the most talent.”

Juniper does a little dance, and my eyes narrow.

“Likely story.”

“What did you say, Rafe?”

“I said I have a planet to sell you in the galaxy if you think you have any chance of winning a talent competition. Obviously, the man just wants to get in your pants.”

“Excuse me?” She puts her hands on her hips. “Are you trying to say I’m a shitty singer?”

“I mean, I am not calling you the next Adele, or Britney Spears, or Whitney Houston.”

“Rude.”

“Listen, I am just trying to give you advice. I don’t think you should embarrass yourself by signing up for a talent competition when you’re not a great singer.”

“She’s not that bad,” Rosie says, sticking up for her cousin. “I mean, she’s not that bad compared to us, but we suck.”

“Hey, talk for yourself.” Sage points at her.

Mia starts glaring at me, and I know that’s her sign to tell me to stop it, but I’m not sure if I want to. I turn away from her because I don’t want her to start lecturing me.

“I’m just saying, you’re the worst singer in the world, Juniper. I just don’t?—”

“I’m signing up,” she says, glaring at me with her hands on her hips. “If John thinks I’m good enough, then I’m going to listen to him.”

There’s a look on her face that irritates me. Along with the way she said John’s name, like he’s some sort of talent scout as opposed to an idiot trying to get in her pants—which she obviously doesn’t see.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you when he is trying to get in your panties tonight.”

“Rafe!” she squeals, looking shocked.

“Really, brother? That’s really not cool.” Mia glares at me, and I just shrug.

They can’t be that delusional, can they?

“What? I’m just being honest.” I look over at Luke. “Don’t you agree, Luke?” I’m not surprised when he doesn’t answer me. “I don’t want to be mean, Juniper, but you’re not the best singer in the world, so I think it’s highly unlikely that you’d win a talent contest.”

“Maybe this John just wants to get to know you and ask you on a date,” Mia interjects, and I roll my eyes. “You haven’t had a date in ages,” she says. “And he looks cute.”

“He does look cute. And if he wants to go on a date with me, who am I to say no? After I win the talent contest, he can take me out and spoil me.”

I want to tell her she’s a fool, but instead, I stare at her for a couple of seconds and don’t say anything. Partly because I am angry at the fact that she is deliberately trying to rile me up and partly because I am annoyed that she’s even considering goingon a date with him. She doesn’t even know him, but I don’t care enough to lecture her anymore. I grimace as John walks over to us.

“Hey there, Juniper.” He licks his lips and then looks down at her top. Creep. “So, are you going to participate in the contest?”

“Yes,” she says. “I’m definitely participating in the?—”

“Hey, I don’t think you want to do that, Juniper,” Preston says quickly from behind us.

I look back and give him a grateful smile.

“You heard him, Juniper,” I say. “It’s a bad idea.”