“What?” I asked.
June put her arms tighter around my neck. I knew I should set her down, but I hadn’t had enough of holding her yet. “I wanted to come here and have a new start, you know?” Keeping her voice low, she said, “I didn’t want to be Cancer Girl. I want to be like everyone else. Just a freshman starting college.”
Understanding washed through me. “You look incredible,” I said, making sure she knew that every word I spoke was true. “But you are beautiful with hair or without, you always have been. And I fell for you when you were Cancer Girl and I was Cancer Boy.” I frowned. “Wait, why did that make us sound like superheroes?”
June threw her head back and laughed, and it sounded like heaven.
“God, I’ve missed you so much, Junebug.”
“I’ve missed you too,” she whispered back, then kissed me again. When she pulled back, she released her legs from my waist and said, “Come and see my room.”
I walked inside, where Mr. and Mrs. Scott were putting June’s things away. Mrs. Scott had already made up June’s bed. “Jesse!” she greeted and gave me a tight hug. “We’ve missed you so much!”
“I’ve missed y’all too,” I replied. I had. They were family at this point. My mom and sisters loved them all as well.
“Hi,” a new voice said. I turned behind me to see a tall, red-headed girl. “I’m Sydney, June’s roommate.”
“Jesse,” I said, shaking her hand. “Love of June’s life, the boy who showed her the true meaning of happiness, and the bringer of all June’s fun.”
Sydney looked to June a little wide-eyed.
“Don’t worry,” June said. “You’ll get used to him in no time at all.”
Mr. Scott emptied the final box and said, “That’s the last of it, honey. You’re all unpacked.” His eyes glistened, but he covered his rising emotions by saying, “Let’s go for dinner before we leave.” He pointed at me. “And you’re coming too, son. I want to hear all about preseason and how y’all are looking.”
June slipped her hand into mine, and I squeezed it twice. We were here at UT, we were healthy, and I couldn’t wait for this chapter to begin.
CHAPTER 15
Jesse
“I’d forgotten what the outside world looks like,” I said,as I took in the sprawling sight of Zilker Park. To get us out of the ranch before we started phase two of the trial, Neenee had organized a trip to Zilker Park in downtown Austin for the day.
I loved the ranch. They really did have everything there for us. But just being here, out in public and doing something normal, was very much needed. We’d been living in our bubble now for what seemed like an age. It was actually strange to see other people going about their day.
“You make us sound like we’ve just escaped a cult compound or something,” Chris said, and I smiled. The sun felt good on my face.
Emma unlinked her arm from June’s and said, “Stand back, everybody. There’re sporty, half-naked boys everywhere I look, and I have a feeling my soulmate might be in this park somewhere.”
Chris pretended to gag. “Em, please, for the love of all that’s holy, I cannot face seeing you flirt today. The next lot of immunotherapy is gonna make me plenty sick soon enough. I don’t need you to add to it.”
Emma lifted her hand to her ear. “Did anyone else hear that annoying buzzing sound?” She shrugged. “Oh.” She looked at Chris. “It was just your whining voice.”
June giggled, and I pulled off my shirt and tucked it in my shorts. Neenee would kill me if she saw me. We were under strict rules to keep covered at all times. We weren’t allowed much sun exposure because of the meds, but I had to do it to make my joke work. My comedy deserved the sacrifice.
I pointed at Chris. “Emma, I’m offended,” I said. “Me and my boy here are sporty AF and walk around half-naked a ton at the ranch. Have we not been an absolute feast for your eyes these past couple of months?”
Emma gagged this time. “NowI’mnauseous. Thanks, Jesse.” Emma looked at me, studying my body. “Okay, I’ll concede.You’rehot, Jesse, you know you are. June waxes lyrical about it all the time?—”
“What?!” June said, shocked, cheeks quickly blazing. “No, I don’t!”
“Junebug!” I said and pulled her back when she playfully tried to walk off. “Tell me more about how hot you find me.”
June’s lips pinched as she tried to not find humor in the moment. “No, thanks,” she said mock moodily.
I winked at Emma. “Thank you for that information about my girl, Emma.” I threw my arms around June’s shoulders and kissed her cheek. “It is most useful.” June eventually reached up, held my wrists, and sank into my chest.
“But a feastyouare not,” Emma continued, now speaking to Chris. “More like an average appetizer that never quite satisfies.”
