Page 33 of Next Time We'll Fall

“You should not have said that.”

“Why? We haven’t discussed it, which I thought we would’ve discussed because that was a pretty big thing to happen.”

“You’re not interested in me, Rafe.”

“Okay. And where’d you get that from?”

“History,” I say, folding my arms. “I remember the past, you know?”

And just like I expected, he says nothing. How could he? We both know that he turned me down pretty completely that night. And our relationship has never been the same since then.

Chapter 9

RAFE

I don’t know what to say to Juniper. I don’t know how to let her know the reason I turned her down those years ago wasn’t because I wasn’t interested in her, but because I felt like a creep, hitting on my sister’s best friend when she turned eighteen.

I’d known throughout her teenage years that she had a crush on me. It was very obvious—the way she looked at me, the way she flirted—and I enjoyed it, but I wasn’t interested in her in that way.

It wasn't until I saw her in her shiny, shimmering dress and the way she looked at me, the way she puckered up her lips for a kiss had drawn me in and I succumbed and kissed her like I never wanted to stop. It felt magical, and I immediately felt regret because I was in a position of power over her. I was older. I knew better. And so I shut it down.

Ever since then, things have been different. Ever since then, she’s treated me like some sort of pariah, like some sort of horrible miscreant who has done her wrong and dirty, and it aggravates me to no end.

But we are older now, and I figure it is time to let her know she has been wrong about me all these years.

“Hey, there you are, Rafe.” Sage comes running over to me, a tall glass of red wine in her hand. Her cheeks are rosy, and her eyes are bright. “Having fun?”

“It’s okay,” I say, looking around to see where Juniper and Rosie are. Because even though I don’t know Sage and Rosie that well, they’re still a part of my family.

“I’m having such a good time. So many guys have asked me on dates, and so many guys have been so disappointed that I don’t actually live here.”

“Well, does that stop you from going on dates with them?”

“I mean, if they’re trying to get serious with me, then that stops me. But for a couple of free dinners …” She pauses and gives me a wicked little smile. “But, of course, I’m not just about the free dinners or anything.”

“Sure you’re not,” I say with a laugh.

“So, you gonna ask Juniper out or what?”

“Excuse me?” I stare at her in confusion, my heart racing.

“Are you into my cousin, or are you not into my cousin?”

“I am not sure why you’re asking me this question.”

“I’m asking you this question because who acts like a knight in shining armor for someone they’re not interested in?”

“I don’t think I acted like a knight in shining armor. I acted like I was the older brother of her best friend who wanted to make sure that she was actually safe and sound because she had gotten herself into a very compromising position.”

“Rafe, I’m going to be brutally honest with you. As a beautiful woman I know when men are attracted to a woman. It happens to me all the time.” She grins at me. “And you are always looking at her like you want her.”

“No. Why would I do such a thing. She’s cute, sure, but I don’t look at her in any particular way, do I?”

“I don’t know. I think you do.” She grins. “I know what I’m talking about.”

“I mean, you didn’t lie about one thing. You are beautiful.”

“But not as beautiful as Juniper, huh?”