Page 24 of Racing Hearts

Instead of saying anything in response, Juniper stared into space as though she was lost in her own thoughts. The silence stretched out between them and Ellie was about to say something when Juniper finally spoke again. “Have you ever heard the old song ‘All American Girl’ by Carrie Underwood?”

“I might have heard my mama listening to it at some point, but I’m not really sure. Didn’t that come out before we were born? Also, isn’t she on thePeople We Don’t Talk Aboutlist after the whole Inauguration bullshit?”

Ellie’s questions finally made Juniper crack a real smile. “I think it came out after we were born, but not too long after. And yeah, I know. My apologies.”

“Why did you ask me about that song?” Ellie had no clue where this conversation was possibly going.

More tears came to Juniper’s eyes. “When I started running track in high school, my dad used to sing that song to me. I didn’t understand what he meant at the time, but he would always tell me that someday I would be this amazing college track athlete and be his officialAll-American Girl.Once I was in college, it finally clicked for me. He actually believed I was capable of getting top eight at nationals.” Juniper let out a strained laugh. “I always thought he was crazy for thinking that was possible, but then last year…” Juniper took a few deep heaving breaths and closed her eyes.

Ellie didn’t need her to say anything else. She knew exactly what she was getting at. Juniper didn’t only want to go to nationals to get an all-expenses paid trip to California. She wanted to fulfill her dad’s dream for her. Ellie didn’t know much about Juniper’s dad except that he died suddenly right before her senior year of high school. She almost never talked about him.

Ellie squeezed Juniper’s hand. “I’m sorry. I had no idea.”

“Of course you didn’t. I never talk about it. I know I should honor my dad’s memory, or whatever the fuck else my therapist has told me, by talking about him, but a lot of the time it’s easier not to. I’d rather be the funny, bitchy girl than the girl with the dead dad. Does that make me a terrible person?”

Ellie shook her head as she fought her own tears from falling. She felt so sad for her best friend, but she needed to be strong right now. “I don’t think there’s one right way to handle a tragedy. We all deal with things in our own way, and that’s okay.”

“I know it’s my own fault that I’m not on the relay anymore, but it still hurts. I feel Iike I let my dad down.”

“I don’t know much about him, but from what you’ve told me, I don’t think you could ever let him down. It sounds like he loved you more than anything in the world, and he’d be so proud of you, no matter what.”

Juniper nodded slowly. “I’m going to try harder. With track, I mean. I won’t drink as much this season. I’ll put in extra work. Maybe if I do that, I can get my spot back. I realize theWicked Witch of West Endwill be on the relay team no matter how much I wish she wasn’t, but I could probably beat Kate or Jane’s times if I worked hard enough.”

Shit. Ellie was so wrapped up in making sure Juniper was okay, she had almost forgotten about her plans with Sierra. What was she supposed to do? First, she needed to be there for her best friend. This was the girl who held her hair back the first time she got drunk. The one who crawled into Ellie’s bed and held her almost every night for a month while she cried herself to sleep over some stupid girl. The first person by her side congratulating her after every single race. Ellie needed to be here for her now.

If only she could remember what the last thing was that Juniper said.Ah, yeah. Working harder.“I have no doubt youcan do that,” Ellie told her. “Anything you need me to do, I’m here for you.”

A spiteful smile spread across Juniper’s face. “You could Tonya What’s-Her-Face that bitch in the kneecaps for me. What do you say?”

A pit formed in Ellie’s stomach. She was so excited about their dinner, she had almost forgotten Sierra was supposed to be the enemy. She definitely didn’t feel like that right now. “Okay, maybe notanything,” Ellie said, forcing out a laugh so Juniper didn’t get suspicious.

Juniper sighed. “Fine. You’re way too nice.” She laid her head on Ellie’s shoulder and leaned into her. “Any chance you’d be okay with getting food delivered and watching a Hallmark Christmas movie while we study tonight?”

“Actually, I…” How was Ellie supposed to tell Juniper she had other plans tonight? Especially when those plans were with Sierra of all people.Andafter Juniper had opened up and been so honest with her. “I think that sounds amazing. Let’s do it. You pick out a movie while I shower, okay?”

Sierra would have to understand, right? As Ellie walked out of the room, she took her phone out of her pocket and sent a quick text off to Sierra, who was now listed in her phone asFin.

Roommate emergency, sorry. Raincheck?

It took almost no time at all for Sierra to respond back.Yeah. Whatever.

She definitelydidn’tunderstand.

Chapter 12

Sierra

Sierra couldn’t believe she was finally on the way to her first college track meet. To make the day even better, her whole family was coming, including her Uncle Mateo and Aunt Candace. Add on finally being away from Teresa, and the day was almost perfect.Almost.Things had gone from being awkward with Ellie to a little less awkward to almost nice then back to an even more extreme level of awkwardness. They hadn’t talked once since Ellie made plans with Sierra only to cancel them when she was supposed to be picking her up. It made Sierra wonder if the plans were even real in the first place. Did Ellie go home and have a good laugh with Juniper over totally fooling thefreshman bitch?

It didn’t feel that way, especially with how Ellie had looked at Sierra longingly at every optional practice during finals week as if there was so much she wanted to say. Of course, she didn’t, though. Not with Juniper around. Why was she around, anyway? She barely ever went to optional team activities, unless they involved drinking, of course.

Sierra acted like she was stretching so she could subtly turn and sneak a peek at Ellie. It would have been subtle at least, if Ellie wasn’t already staring at her. They watched each other intently, neither of them breaking the contact as seconds passed by. Everyone else on the bus disappeared and all Sierra could see was Ellie. Why the hell was this happening?

She noticed Ellie’s lips moving and it took her a moment to realize she was mouthing the words, ‘Good luck today.’

Against Sierra’s will (and better judgment), her lips curled up into a smile. ‘You too,’ she mouthed back, before finally forcing herself to turn away.

This was ridiculous. She shouldn’t be…. What were they doing? Flirting? Definitely not. There was no reason for her to be acting that way with the girl who constantly played her hot and cold.

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