Page 49 of Racing Hearts

As if Juniper somehow knew Ellie was thinking about her, a phone call came through from her at that very moment. “Hey! What’s up?” Ellie asked when she picked up the call. She felt bad that she hadn’t been keeping in touch with her as well this break, but if Juniper had noticed, she hadn’t said anything about it.

“Not too much. Getting ready to head to West End for Chris and the guys’ party. Sure you don’t want to go?”

“Nah. I’m good.” The sprinter guys had been planning to have a New Year’s Eve party at their apartment pretty much since the beginning of the school year, but Ellie was never planning on going. It was too far away to justify driving there on New Year’s Eve just to drive back home on New Year’s Day. She already had plans to spend the night with her moms, and she was more than happy to do that.

“Are you sure?” Juniper asked in a whiny voice. “You won’t be the only one not drinking this time.”

“Oh yeah?” Ellie laughed. She highly doubted there was anyone from the team who was driving back to school just to stay sober for the party. “Who is planning on staying sober?”

“Me,” Juniper answered nonchalantly as if she didn’t think that answer would shock Ellie. “I’ve been thinking a lot about what you said, and it’s probably too little too late, but I’m going to take this season more seriously. Since you never drink during the season, maybe that’s the secret, so I’m going to try it.”

“Wow.” Ellie wasn’t sure what to say. This was a big change for her best friend. “That’s awesome. You don’t have to give up everything, though. EvenI’llprobably end up a little wine-drunk tonight.”

Juniper laughed. “I don’t doubt that if you’re spending the night with your moms. I know I can have fun tonight without drinking, so I figured I might as well not do it.”

“That’s awesome, June. I’m super proud of you.”

“Thank you! You’d also be happy to know that I’ve been working out like crazy over break. I honestly think I might be in the best shape of my life right now.”

Juniper was really blowing Ellie’s mind right now. It’s not that she didn’t believe in her best friend, but she wasn’t expecting such a one-eighty from her. “You’re making me so happy right now.”

“I figured, but now that I’ve buttered you up, Idohave some bad news.”

“What’s up?” Ellie wasn’t sure what Juniper needed to butter her up to confess, but the warning did cause a nervous ache to settle in her gut.

“I know I said we should go back to school a few days early to hang out before things get crazy, but it turns out, I won’t be able to get back until Sunday. I’m going on a ski trip with a friend for a few days.”

The ache immediately left Ellie’s gut. She had no idea why Juniper had been so nervous to tell her that. It wasn’t a big deal at all. “Oh, that’s fine. No worries.”

Juniper blew out a long breath. “Phew. I’m so glad you’re not mad. I’ve been scared to tell you.”

Ellie laughed. “It’s really not a big deal at all.”

“Thank you. Have fun getting wine-drunk with your moms tonight.”

“Don’t worry. I will.”

***

By 11:30, Ellie was much more wine-drunk than she planned to be, but she was too happy to worry about it. She and Sierra had been texting all night, and even though their conversation only involved them sending each other funny videos and telling stories about their families, it still had her feeling giddy.

“So, it seems like you and Sierra get along much better now, huh?” her mom asked with a raised eyebrow.

Her parents had tried to bring Sierra up once or twice since her family left, but Ellie had done her best to avoid the subject. Now that she had this much wine running through her veins, it was no use trying to hide it. “Just a bit,” she said with a giggle that completely gave her away.

Her mom turned to face her more fully. “Okay, spill. I’ve been trying to be the cool parent who doesn’t pry, but I need to know. What’s going on with you two?”

Ellie sighed and clutched her phone to her chest as if it was Sierra she was holding. “I’m not really sure. She got her heart broken a few months ago, so she’s reluctant to jump into anything new. But, I think I can charm her into it.”

“You are very charming.” Her mom winked at her. “You get that from me.”

“And me,” her mama chimed in.

Her mom waved her hand dismissively. “Uh yeah, sure, sweetie.”

“For what it’s worth, we bothreallylike Sierra,” her mama told her. “Not that you’re asking for our approval, but for what it’s worth, we do approve.”

“Good to know.”

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