Page 35 of No Place Like Home

“Leave her alone. Go set up. The game’s about to start.” Juliet hushed everyone out.

Once everyone was in the family room, I turned to Juliet. “What do they think I have to share?”

Juliet bit her lip raised on her tiptoes to make sure everyone was out of reach. “Emma might have slipped thatyouhave the coveted limited-edition design.”

Oh, shit.

Shit. Fuck. Shit.

I knew my sweater was unique, but I never thought it was coveted or anything like that. It was just flowers stamped on it. Nothing special.

“And you know how Freya is. She can—"

“Can get in everyone’s business,” I finished what Juliet was trying to say.

She and Freya hadn’t always had the best relationship, or that’s what I gathered from things I’d overheard, but looking at how tight she was with her and Emma, I wouldn’t have guessed.

“No. I think she thinks something is going on with you and Q.”

“No!” I shouted, almost defensively.

Juliet’s eyes narrowed on me, but I didn’t shy away from her stare. “You know, I know Dr. Leeds said….”

She stopped, not sure how to continue. I needed this conversation to end.

“You’ve never brought anyone home. We won’t judge you. Jake and I are cool, and if you’re scared Rosie might not understand, we’ll talk to her…”

Juliet was making no sense.

“It’s okay to love who you love.”

Ooooh, okay.

I saw where she was going with this conversation now.

“I’m not a virgin,” I said.

Juliet started to gape.

“And I like dick.” I added the last part mostly to fuck with her.

If I hadn’t been mortified, I might have laughed when she turned red.

“The game’s starting. Let's take a seat.” She awkwardly pointed toward the family room.

I let Juliet lead us out while I got lost in my thoughts. I hadn’t felt anything when I lost my virginity. Sure, it hurt, but feeling-wise, I’d felt nothing. I didn’t turn into a clinger or develop feelings for the guy. I remember feeling like I was suffocating. He was too close—closer to me than anyone had ever been. Yet, I never wanted to see him, or anyone, again when it was all over. Losing my virginity was an experience more than anything. Something everyone did, and it seemed like I should just get it over and done with. It was one of the first times I’d done something to try and fit in.

Emotions were a dangerous thing. They made you weak, stupid, and blind. Feelings made a woman like my mother weak. Look how good her feelings turned out for her.

Everyone was already seated, waiting anxiously for the game to begin. I found a spot on the couch between Rosie and Dex.

When I looked around, I noticed Jana and Rusty weren’t here.

“Where’s Jana and Rust?”

Freya, who usually had a big mouth, was unusually quiet.

“Faye’s not feeling well, so they stayed home,” Jake answered.

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