AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Because a toadstool is a type of mushroom,” I say, unable to hold back my laughter.
“Shit. Shut up. Are you saying my whole life has been a lie?”
“Told you to sit down.”
“Fucking hell, Brant.”
Theo storms back out the way he came, his voice evaporating as he rambles off this new revelation to the guests outside.
Sorry about that, Mario.
June pokes her head inside a few moments later, her own laughter spilling into the kitchen, shooting straight to my heart. “Theo is losing his mind out there. How could you?” She breezes through the entryway, closing the door behind her, her smile wide and real.
I spare her a glance, popping the candles into the cake as my laughter meets hers. “The truth hurts sometimes.” When my gaze dips to the way her stunning birthday dress hugs her curves, and when the scent of her sweet vanilla body mist floats over to me smelling like the cake that sits under my nose, my statement hits a little too close to home.
Luckily, I’ve mastered the art of disguise, so June is oblivious as she skips over to me perched at the counter, the hem of her shell-pink dress kissing her knees.
She hugs me.
She wraps her arms around my middle, her chin resting on my bicep as she gazes up at me with an innocent, charmed smile. “Mmm. You smell good.”
I nearly choke, my hand starting to tremble as I insert the final candle.
Eighteen.
Eighteen.
“Um, thanks.” I’m not sure what else to say. She smells good, too, but I’m certain I’d sound a lot creepier if I returned the compliment. “I showered. Works wonders.”
June giggles a little, hugging me tighter. “Ivory soap. It’s one of my favorite smells because it reminds me of you.”
This is innocent. This is completely innocent.
I force myself not to voice aloud all of her wondrous smells that are practically ingrained in me. Lilacs, mostly, fused into the flowery notes of her shampoo. Her citrus body wash like lemon drops. Vanilla cake when it’s her birthday, but only on her birthday, and sometimes Samantha’s fancy department-store perfume when we go out for a nice family dinner.
Clearing my throat, I force a quick smile and only hold her eyes for a second. “Ready for cake?”
June only wanted a small family gathering for her birthday celebration this year. She’s past the age of pony rides, bounce houses, and even giggle-infused get-togethers with her girlfriends.
She wanted something intimate, just her and her favorite people.
She nods, grinning as she speeds ahead of me. “I was born ready for cake.”
As night falls, only Theo, June, and I remain on the patio, reminiscing around the firepit. Theo and I are sipping on beer, while June nurses her bottled iced tea. She pulls a lawn chair right beside mine, and Theo sits across from us, his features betraying amusement as he stares into the ambient orange flames.
“That did not happen,” June squeals, wrought with giggles, almost as if she’s as buzzed as Theo. “Take it back, Theo. You’re a liar.”
“I’m not a liar. I swear to God. You can even ask Mom. You thought this complete random stranger at the swimming pool was Dad. You tried to go home with him. Only, he was covered in chest hair. The hairiest fuckin’ guy I’ve ever seen. And you take his hand and look up at him all innocent-eyed and you say, ‘Why did the water turn you into an ape, Daddy?’”
‘She turns beet red, hiding her face behind her hand and curtain of long hair. “Lies. A web of lies.” June shakes her head back and forth, insisting through an embarrassed laugh, “I’d recognize my own father.”
A smile blooms on my face. “Are you sure it wasn’t him?” I question Theo, an eyebrow arching.
Here it comes.
He frowns. “Obviously.”
I almost don’t get the words out. “I mean, he could’ve been a toad…or he could’ve been a mushroom.”
