Page 69 of Another June with You
Shannon’s eyes met Duncan’s, and she gave him a look of disapproval as she, too, left the table.
Duncan followed her into the house. “Shan.”
She looked back at him.
“Can you please tell her I’m sorry she found out like this.”
“What is the deal with you two?”
He seemed extremely unnerved. “Nothing.”
“Then why does it matter if she found out at all?”
“I don’t know. I just … I know I’ve hurt her, and that kills me.”
There was laughter and chatter coming from the yard, and Shannon looked from her brother to the door and back. “Who is this girl you’re marrying? You just met her.”
“I know … but sometimes you just know.”
“And with her, you know?”
He nodded.
Shannon’s eyebrow lifted. “Then why are you so worried about Jamie?”
“Just please make sure she’s okay.” He gave her a pointed look and motioned toward the front door. “Please.”
Shannon rolled her eyes and walked outside in time to see Jamie’s car pull into the street and drive away.
It took several knocks before Jamie’s apartment door opened to reveal her puffy red eyes and tear-stained cheeks. She couldn’t remember ever seeing Jamie cry. And it broke her heart that her usually confident friend had been brought to tears by her brother.
“Oh, Jamie.” She hugged her friend tightly and let her cry. And this was a serious cry—the kind from the depths of the soul—where every tear bottled up is finally set free.
“You didn’t have to come here, Shannon,” she murmured. “You should be celebrating your brother’s engagement.” She could barely get those last two words out before more tears slid down her cheeks.
“He’s an idiot,” Shannon declared. “A total idiot.”
“We already knew that much.” A glimmer of Jamie’s usual spunky personality showed through, which gave Shannon some comfort.
Jamie walked to the couch and climbed under a blanket.
Shannon followed, passing a large trash bag propped up against the coffee table and piles of tissues everywhere. It was clear by the wet, splotchy fabric that Jamie had been crying into the pillow at the end of the couch. She sat down opposite Jamie, turning with legs crossed to face her. “Can you please explain something to me?”
“What?” Jamie sniffled.
“What is it between you and my brother?” she asked. “I mean, you two have always been flirty, but lately, it seemed like there was more happening with you two. Am I wrong?”
“You’re not wrong.” Jamie swallowed hard and stared down at her hands. “Something happened. Before he left for Denver.”
“What happened?”
It took Jamie a full minute before she spoke again, and even then, she wouldn’t look Shannon in the eye. “We slept together.”
Shannon’s mouth fell open. “Excuse me? You slept together? As in … you had sex with my brother?”
Jamie nodded, looking ashamed.
Her brother hadn’t saved himself for marriage, this she knew, but years ago when he had given his life over to Jesus, he had told her he wanted to change and wait for the right girl, that he was planning to abstain until he found the woman he would marry. So to hear he had gone there with her best friend was more than a little shocking.
