The Best of June

by Tierney O’Malley

  Craig nodded.

  “Come inside.”

  The man looked like hell. Dark rings were under his eyes and he seemed to have lost weight since the last time he’d seen him. What the hell is eating him?

  “Sit. Coffee?”

  “No, thank you. I won’t be here long.” Craig met Henry’s stare.

  “All right. You’re here because of my wife, right? She’s not here.”

  “I know.”

  “Then why are you here?”

  Craig squeezed his eyes shut and balled his hands into a tight fists. When he looked at Henry, his eyes showed sadness and regret. He had the face of a man who had suffered a long time.

  “I love, June. She’s the sister I never had, a friend who has stood by me no matter what. Did you know that she never left my side when I hated the world, myself, my sexuality? I tried rejecting her friendship, but she never gave up. She gave me advice about life. Most of the time mentioning Browning’s poems. I wanted to end my life one time because I fell in love with a boy who treated me like shit. But June said, ‘how can I be whole without you. I’ll live without seeing the colors of the world. If you love me, don’t take the meaning of life away from me and Vivienne’. I listened to her. We hugged. We laughed. If I wasn’t gay, I would have proposed to her right then because I knew she wasn’t just a special woman but a gem. One of a kind.” Craig pointed his gaze somewhere behind Henry. “Anyone would fall in love with her. You’d have to be a stone not to—or a plain idiot.”

  Henry nodded. He didn’t like where this talk was going. Since Craig had started leaving messages on their machine, he’d been wondering why the man would call his wife during weird hours. Now that Craig was here, pouring his heart out, he was afraid to hear what he had to say.

  “June was an innocent when you met her. Not a virgin, but still an innocent.” Craig ran his hands through his hair. “Fuck.”

  “Keep talking.”

  “She lost her virginity because I…I fed her to a shark without her knowing it.”

  Henry’s blood started pumping faster. He pulled his height to its fullest but he didn’t move for fear that Craig would stop talking. “Explain.” He bit out the words.

  “I asked her to go to a bar with me. We were having fun when we met a couple guys. One of them I knew right away was gay. He paid attention to me. I liked him so much…so much that…” Craig’s voice shook so hard Henry had to lean closer to him.

  “What, Craig?”

  Craig laced his fingers together then put them above his head. “That when he said we could go someplace if his friend could go with June, I said yes.”

  “You goddamn let a stranger take June?” This time it was his voice that shook—from anger.

  “I know! Fuck, I know. June doesn’t drink so I thought she’d be fine. I left her at the bar. I didn’t know she left also—with that, that fucker. The next day, she woke up in an apartment. She couldn’t remember anything.”

  “The man put something in her drink. Is that what you are saying?”

  “Yes.” Craig sobbed. “Henry, she was all bruised. I know because she called me. I picked her up. I saw her body. Oh, Jesus!”

  Craig wailed. Henry was disgusted. He was so angry his eyes watered. His wife had been raped and suffered in the hands of a stranger because she’d trusted her friend. She could have died. God, he wanted to see her and wrap his arms around her.

  His June. His kind wife. Henry looked at Craig. He wanted to kill him.

  “We didn’t tell her parents. She didn’t want to. It became our secret. The three of us.” Craig met Henry’s gaze. “June has slowly recovered. It’s been two years now since that day. Two years. While I live, I won’t be able to forgive myself. I can’t undo the past, so I promised to protect June. To keep an eye on her. But I failed again.”

  “Again, Craig? Is it because you failed to stop her from marrying me? Goddamn you. Don’t leave everything. I am so close to fucking killing you right now.”

  “It would be nice if you did that. But June wouldn’t like it. She loves you. She’s been in love with you for a long time now and that’s why she picked you to father her child.”

  “She loves me? That’s why she slept with me?”

  “Yes and no. Her feelings for you certainly made her decision to pick you a lot easier. They figured the sleeping with you part would be tolerable.”

  “What?” Henry stuffed his hands into his pockets. Either that or he’d shove them in Craig’s face. He began pacing. “Why did she want to sleep with me? Yes, she’s in love but why? A decent woman wouldn’t pretend to be a prostitute so she could sleep with a man she’s in love with. And how the fuck did you fail my wife the second time?”

  “I failed because I wasn’t around to stop her from sleeping with you. And she wanted you because she’s sick.”

  “What do you mean by sick?”

  “She has cancer and thinks she’s dy—”

  Henry roared. In two quick strides, he reached Craig. He grabbed his shirt front, raised his fist and aimed it at Craig’s face. The man didn’t even flinch. Realizing what he had done, he shoved Craig away from him. “You’re fucking lying.”

  Craig landed on the couch like a rag doll. “No. She’s been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Her doctor told her to freeze her eggs then get the treatment, but she didn’t want to take the chance. So she and Vivienne hatched up a plan—get her pregnant. After she delivers the baby, she’ll start the treatment.”

  “Fuck. You. You lie!” Everything came crashing back. Why she’d quoted Browning. She’d talked about their baby growing up with her parents, never mentioning herself. And her back pains… His wife was sick.

  “I hurt her. Bad. I don’t expect her to forgive me when I tell her everything. But you, the pain that you’ve inflicted is worse.”

  “What? You’re talking about the kiss that she witnessed during—”

  “She knows about the contract. You broke her heart to pieces. But it was bound to happen, right? Because you meant to leave her anyway.”

  Fuck. “How? How did she know about it?”

  “Stacey. Here.” Craig reached in his pocket. “June wants you to have it back.”

  Henry recognized his signet ring right away. He took it and placed it back on his little finger. “Where is my wife?”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Henry was in the driveway when Stacey’s car pulled up.

  “Darling, I found something that belongs to you,” she said then got out of the car.

  He didn’t have time to deal with Stacey right now. He couldn’t wait to see his wife, to explain. Ignoring Stacey, he tried to walk around her.

  “Aren’t you the least bit interested?

  “In what, Stacey?”

  “This.”

  Stacey held a ring—his wedding ring. “Give it to me, Stacey. Now.”

  “My, my. Not in the mood, huh?”

  Stacey placed the ring in Henry’s palm. The moment he held it, Henry felt like crying.

  “You should be celebrating, darling. You’re free.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Your ring is meaningless. But this”—she took out a manila envelope—“is worth something big. Your divorce papers. June signed them today.”

  “What?” No, no. He didn’t want a divorce. He loved his wife.

  “She wished you luck in your business. Although, I think you already have all the luck in the world.”

  “You told her about the contract.”

  “Henry, I was just trying—”

  “Leave, Stacey. Don’t come back. And don’t go near my wife again.” He got in the car before he lost his temper. He didn’t care about anything or anyone right now, except for his wife.

  “She’s no longer your wife, Henry!”

  “I haven’t signed the papers, Stacey, and I’m not letting my wife go.”

  “You’re a goddamn fool! Henry, you’ll regret this. I swear!”

  He d
rove over the speed limit, not minding the rain. Please, honey. Don’t leave me. Henry didn’t care what his parents would do. They could disown him and he wouldn’t give a shit. But his wife… How would he survive without her?

  Ovarian cancer. Treatable. God, why didn’t she tell him? Oh, yeah. He made her promise not to talk about what had brought them together, just the present and the future. Never the past. God, he was an imbecile. He picked up his cell phone from the car’s console then tried calling June again. Same. No answer. Even Vivienne wasn’t answering.

  His wife wanted a baby in case something bad happened to her. No, nothing bad would happen. He and Jelly Bean needed her.

  I love you, baby. So much.

  * * * *

  The skies opened and rain came down hard just as Henry reached the Greenwalds’ home. Henry switched between knocking loudly on the door and ringing the bell repeatedly. When no one answered, he called June’s name.

  Come on, baby.

  “June! Honey, open the door, please. We need to talk.”

  He waited but no one opened the door. Walking back to his car, he thought about leaving. Because of his dream and his plans, he’d let June walk out on him after their nights together in the yacht. If he left now, he’d be doing the same thing again. No. He wouldn’t give up on them. Not now. Not ever. He was drenched but he remained in his spot, staring at the house. They needed to talk. Fuck. He was a fool, but he deserved at least that.

  He didn’t know how long he’d stood there. Waiting, hoping. At the thought of losing his wife, his heart felt as though it had broken into a million pieces. After taking his phone out, he texted June.

  * * * *

  Through the curtains, June watched her husband outside. His shirt was plastered to his body. He kept wiping his face with his hands, but he wouldn’t leave. When he looked up, she thought he was crying.

  “Your mom and I deserved your wrath, Junie. Not Henry. I know he struck a deal with his parents, but that was after I made the judge sign the contract. Henry is a victim of my stupidity. Don’t punish him like this because of his parents’ pride and my mistake. At least talk to him.”

  “Dad, I already let him go. It’s what he wanted.”

  “You sure? Looks to me like Henry’s here to take you back.”

  I was never his to take back. “He’ll lose everything, Dad. Everything he worked so hard for. His parents—”

  “The hell with the Colchesters.” James touched June’s shoulder then squeezed. “You know, our first apartment was only a little bigger than a broom closet. I’m sure Henry wouldn’t mind starting from scratch as long as you’re with him. He loves you, Junie. I’m sure he’s already proven that.”

  “He doesn’t know about…about my condition. What if I don’t get better, what if something happens to me? If he truly loves me, he will only get hurt. It’s best if he forgets about me, Dad.”

  “Oh, Junie. Would you rather not spend time with the man you love or spend however short or long time you have in this world with him?” James stood beside June. “Talk to him, June. Find out if I’m wrong.”

  “And bring him inside. I made hot cocoa and snickerdoodles. That boy wouldn’t be standing out in the rain if he wasn’t in love with you.”

  June looked behind her. “What if we’re all wrong, Mom? What if he’s just being a gentleman, polite, honor-bound.”

  “Then we’re wrong.” Rebecca shrugged. “But what if we are right and you let this moment pass? Fight for him. Fight for love. That’s what you’ve been doing these past months, right? Why stop now?”

  June’s phone beeped. Her heart constricted. Henry had called her many times but never left a message. Now, he sent her a text. Opening the message, a cry escaped her lips as she read Henry’s message.

  There’s only me and you, hon. Please, don’t give up on us. I love you so much.

  Gosh. He loved her. Laughing, she hugged her father. “You’re right, Dad. He loves me.” Then she ran outside.

  * * * *

  Those wonderful nights that he’d shared with June had given him a glimpse of his wife’s heart. And during the months that they lived together, June had shown him the best of her. But his ego, his pride, clouded his opinion of her. He’d hurt her. Many times. He wished to God that she’d find it in her heart to forgive him. He’d already thought about leaving to get June a bouquet of flowers when the front door opened. His wife, wearing a light pink dress that quickly turned dark with rain, slowly walked toward him.

  “Hey,” June said.

  “Hey back.” Henry could hardly wait to wrap his arms around his wife, but he waited to beg for her forgiveness. As soon as June gave him a wan smile, Henry’s resolve not to cry broke. “Honey, you’re getting wet.”

  “I don’t care. What are you doing here?”

  “I need to explain something.” Henry combed back his dripping hair. “First, I want you to know that since we’ve been married, I’ve never slept with Stacey. Sorry, I momentarily lost my wedding band. But I have it back. And I am here to take you home where you belong, hon.”

  “I already signed the divorce papers. You can live anywhere you want with whomever you want. You are released from your obligation to me and the baby.”

  “I don’t care how many times you sign divorce papers, I will never be free of you, baby.” Slowly, Henry closed the distance that separated them. “June, you’re the storm in the sea that disturbed the water and rocked my ship, but when you ceased, you brought sunshine and blue skies. You know that’s the best part of sailing. Being in the calm water looking at the sky that seems endless. It makes you appreciate and love life.” He touched her cheeks, wet from rain and tears. “I could have everything in the world, but without you, I will be nothing. Our apartment will never be the same. Everything that I worked so hard for will be meaningless if you walk out on me. Because I love your cooking, your laughter. Because I love you and Jelly Bean. I love you, Juniper Ivy Colchester. I want to spend the rest of my life with you and our babies.”

  Henry was able to breathe a sigh of relief when he finally wrapped his arms around his wife. “Did I already say I love you?”

  “Yes. And I love you too.”

  Epilogue

  Two months later

  Holding a brand new camera, Henry watched his friends take turns holding his little girl. Julian held Beanie like a pro. He even knew to put a blanket over his shoulder. Trey, for an FBI agent, was somewhat uncomfortable. He looked afraid that he’d break Beanie in half. When it was Nolan’s turn, Henry saw longing on his friend’s face. If he wasn’t mistaken, Nolan wanted his own little bundle too.

  “You’ll have one, too, my friend.”

  Nolan shook his head then placed Beanie on his chest. “Gypsy talked about having a baby someday.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yeah. But it’s not going to happen unless her dad opens his front door to me.”

  Trey rubbed Beanie’s head. “Just keep climbing her trellis until she gets pregnant. Then the old man wouldn’t be able to stop you from marrying her.”

  “Just kidnap her, man,” Henry said.

  They were still laughing when Sam, followed by Joanie and June, came downstairs.

  “Careful, bug.” Julian caught Sam before she reached the last step. “You showered?”

  “Yeah. Mommy said I have to. I can hold little Beanie now, Uncle Henry.”

  “Sure thing.” Earlier, Sam had spotted a puddle outside then jumped in it while Julian watched.

  Julian took Beanie from Nolan then sat on the floor. Sam and Joanie joined him.

  Henry took a picture. His daughter slept through the ohing and ahing from everyone. When he looked at his wife, standing alone watching everyone with a beautiful glow on her face, he quickly snapped her photo.

  With their parents, who had dissolved the contract and set aside their animosity for the sake of their granddaughter, they’d been having dinners together. It was great having them all. Vivienne had been coming over
too. He believed that she and John were beginning to like each other. As for Craig, the man had informed June and Vivienne that he’d taken a job in New York.

  June, his lovely June, was seeing a different doctor now—one who actually did the tests and exams.

  After he went to see Doctor Sanders and asked for June’s records, Sanders had disappeared. As it happened, the bastard had lied to June. His wife didn’t have ovarian cancer but ovarian cysts. Both showed the same symptoms. With Trey’s help, he’d found out that Sanders had been working and sleeping with the owner of Seattle’s Affordable Fertility Clinic. Sanders would find unsuspecting patients like his wife and tell them that they must freeze their eggs. He would recommend his lover’s clinic then they’d share the profit.

  Henry didn’t know whether to thank Sanders for lying to June or damn him to Hell. After all, his lies had brought June to his life. “Hi, hon.”

  “Hello. What’s up with the smile?”

  She’ll make you fall in love with her. “Just thinking about what someone said, Mrs. Colchester.” Craig was right. His wife had blindsided him. God, he’d fallen in love with her and he hadn’t even known it.

  “What did this someone say?”

  Henry took June’s hands, loving the feel of his signet right around her finger. “He said that I’ll fall in love with my wife without her even trying to make me. He was right.”

  “I wonder how I even managed to do that.”

  Grinning, he pulled June against him then wrapped his arms around her waist. “When she threatened to poke the man who gave me this scar with her heel. Then she kissed me. Right here.” Henry touched the scar above his right brow. “That day I fell in love with her.”

  “Henry…”

  Not minding their audience, Henry kissed June. He drank the sweetness of her mouth until Sam’s giggles penetrated his pleasure-induced brain. His wife, on the other hand, turned bright pink. If he were to guess, she’d also forgotten about their company. “Later,” he whispered.