Page 75 of Racing Hearts

“It’s all good. Keep me updated this week. Also, tell your roommate to go fuck herself, okay?”

“Sounds good. Love you, sis.”

“Love you too, idiot.”

After hanging up with her sister, Sierra already felt a hundred pounds lighter. Things were far from being resolved, but she knew she needed to find a way to make them right. It might take a little bit of time and a lot of effort, but Sierra was ready to do whatever it took. She was done being scared.

Chapter 35

Ellie

Ellie stared out the window of the bus and wondered how the end of her college career had taken such a bad turn. It had been two weeks since Sierra ended things between them, and even though Sierra had said she just needed time, they still hadn’t talked. Ellie had no idea if they were done for good, but it was starting to feel like that. She was trying to be respectful of Sierra by giving her time and space, but it was hard when all she wanted to do was beg her to give them another chance.

To say she was blindsided by the breakup would be an understatement. She thought everything was perfect, and suddenly, it wasn’t. What the hell was she supposed to do? Her heart was breaking, and the worst part was she had no one to talk to about it.

She leaned her head against the window as the tears started to fall and prayed that Juniper didn’t notice. She swore she could feel eyes on her, but when Juniper didn’t say anything, she figured she must have imagined it. She shut her eyes to make it seem like she was sleeping and stayed like that the rest of the bus ride back to school.

When they got back, she quickly followed Juniper off of the bus and forced herself to keep looking ahead so she didn’t turn around to look at Sierra. As much as she wanted to, she knew that would only make the pain worse.

“Hey, ladies, what’s the plan tonight?” Chris asked as he walked over from the boys’ bus to greet them.

Juniper put her hand on his chest and leaned in to give him a kiss. The scene made Ellie’s heart clench, and she had to fight back her tears once again.

After the kiss, Juniper used her hand to playfully push Chris away. “Ellie and I are having a girls’ night, soyouneed to find something else to do.”

Ellie’s head shot up. “We are?”

Juniper turned around and crossed her arms in front of her chest. “We are, and you better not try to fight me on it.”

Ellie shrugged. “No fighting here.” It wasn’t like she had anything else to do. The person her heart longed to spend time with wasn’t talking to her.God, this sucks.

“Perfect.” Juniper blew Chris a kiss, then linked her arm with Ellie’s and started to walk. “Let’s get out of here.”

Once they were back at the apartment, Juniper informed Ellie she had fifteen minutes before she had to meet her down in the living room. Ellie used that time to take a quick shower and change into sweats. When she walked into the living room, Juniper was already sitting on the couch with her legs tucked underneath her.

She patted the spot next to her. “We need to talk.”

Even though Juniper was smiling, Ellie immediately began to panic. Nothing positive ever followed those words. Did Juniper know Ellie had lied to her? Was she pissed? She didn’t look pissed.

Juniper rolled her eyes. “I can see your brain working double right now. Just sit the fuck down. It’s not like you’re in trouble.”

Ellie blew out her breath. That was good, at least. Maybe this had nothing at all to do with the lies she had been keeping. She followed Juniper’s directions and sat next to her on the couch.

“Good girl.” Juniper grabbed ahold of Ellie’s hand. “Now, tell me what’s wrong.”

“What’s wrong? With me? Nothing. I’m great. Just out here living the dream.”Okay, I might have tried to sell that just a little too hard.

Juniper rolled her eyes. “Don’t lie to me. You’re really bad at it.”

Was she, though? She had been lying to Juniper for months, and Juniper had no idea. “Apparently I’m not,” Ellie said weakly.Shit. I can’t believe I just said that.

Juniper furrowed her eyebrows. “What do you mean?”

Tears immediately sprung to Ellie’s eyes, but she had no idea if it had more to do with her heartbreak or the potential blowout that was about to come when she told Juniper the truth. “I’ve been lying to you.”

“Okay… now you’re actually scaring me. What’s going on? You’re not sick or something, are you?”

Ellie laughed through her tears. “Don’t be so nice to me. I don’t deserve it.”

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