I consider calling a ride, just leaving without a word. But that would only add to the spectacle. Despite my anger and embarrassment, I can't quite bring myself to abandon Alder.
The door opens behind me, and I brace myself for an awkward conversation with my housemate. However, it's his mom who joins me, two glasses of wine in hand.
"Thought you might need this," she says, offering me one.
I blink in surprise and then accept the glass gratefully. “Thank you.” I take a long sip, letting the cool wine soothe my frayed nerves.
Juniper stands beside me at the railing, looking out into the backyard, which is sliced in two by a metal ramp. Juniper notices me pondering it and says, “We installed that last year when Odin was badly injured and using a scooter.” Shesmiles. “We always want it to be easy for our kids to come to us.”
The sentiment triggers a wave of emotion that shimmers up my spine. “That’s … really lovely.”
“Thank you,” she says, taking her glug of wine. “It doesn’t always translate to the boys actually bringing us their problems…” She makes a face that implies we are changing the subject to Alder. “I think you know that my son doesn’t always think before he speaks.”
I cough out a laugh. “I’m learning that.”
Juniper takes our glasses and sets them on a table on the deck. Then, she takes my hand in hers. “Did you know I was the Fury’s legal counsel when I first met Alder’s dad?”
I shake my head. “You were?”
She tips her head. “We were having a bit of a summer fling…and I suffered quietly in fear that I’d get disbarred when people found out I was dating a player.” Juniper releases my hand and twists her wedding band, contemplating. "I wrestled with it for months. Put my career first, tried to ignore how I felt." Her gaze is distant, remembering. "And I was utterly miserable."
My throat tightens. "But you obviously figured it out."
"I did." She turns to me, her expression serious. “There was a little more flexibility…I worked for Tim’s firm, and it was easy enough to reassign me. So, it’s not quite the same thing.”
We’re both quiet for a moment as I struggle to form a response to what she’s confided in me. Eventually, she squeezes my arm. “Whatever is happening with you and my son, you always have a place at our table. You can always come to me.”
With that, she leaves me alone on the porch, her words echoing in my mind. The simple assertion of acceptance touches something profound within me, a longing I hadn'tfully acknowledged, even to myself. The door opens again; this time, it is Alder, looking uncertain and slightly lost.
"There you are," he says. "I was wondering where you'd disappeared to."
“Just talking to your mom,” I reply.
He looks surprised. “My mom?” His expression turns wary. “What did she say?”
I sigh, not ready to share before I’ve fully processed Juniper’s words. “She told me you don’t always think before you speak.”
He winces and scratches at the back of his neck. "I'm sorry," Alder says. "I shouldn't have said that. About the fling."
"No," I agree. "You shouldn't have."
"Uncle Tim was pushing, and I panicked." He runs a hand through his hair. "He's always been like a second father to me, and he's also my lawyer, so he's hyperaware of things that could affect my career."
"So, you told him we're having a casual summer hookup? Is that what you want?”
"No! I mean, I don't know what this is." Alder gestures helplessly between us. "We never really defined it."
"Because we've been avoiding talking about the kiss," I say, finally addressing the elephant in the room.
He visibly flinches. "Yeah."
"Look, Alder." I grip the porch railing. "I appreciate you letting me stay with you. I even appreciate the idea of making our exes jealous. But if we're going to do this—whatever 'this' is—we need to be on the same page."
"You're right." He steps closer. "I'm sorry. I should have talked to you before saying anything."
"Yes, you should have." I cross my arms. "So, what are we doing here, exactly? Are we roommates? Friends? A summer fling? What's the story we're telling people?"
He hesitates. "What do you want it to be?"
