Page 31 of My Heart to Keep
“It hurts too much. Sometimes I can’t breathe.”
She rubbed my leg. “He’s your first love, and those are the most painful, but they’re also very special. Why don’t you call Celia and invite her to spend the night? It will help to take your mind off Maiken.”
Sniffling, I pulled away. “I might just take Apple out.” My horse always seemed to put me in better spirits.
Momma curled strands of my hair behind my ear. “I think that’s a good idea.”
Carter came out with a suitcase in one hand and his phone in the other. “I’m leaving now. See you then.”
Momma rose. “Why so soon?” Her voice was even sadder than before.
Carter set his suitcase down on the wooden planks of the porch. “Brianna and I want to get a head start before traffic picks up for the Cape.”
My mom kissed Carter on the cheek then gave him a hug. “You be careful. I want you to text me that you made it safely. Understood?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She breezed back into the house.
“Still brooding?” Carter asked. He was decked out in shorts, flip-flops, and a Boston University T-shirt, looking tanned, relaxed, and eager to see his girl.
I stuck him with my middle finger as a bucketload of jealousy soured my stomach. He was going to see his girlfriend and have a great time at the Cape while I was stuck at home with chores and loneliness.
Jeez, Quinn. Pity much?
“My advice, for what it’s worth—play the field, sis. Date. Have fun.”
I rolled my eyes. “You don’t understand love, do you? And having fun? You saw how that went down at my party.” Plus, I couldn’t date. Maiken and I hadn’t broken up, although it felt like we had.
Carter stalked closer before resting his butt on the railing. “I’m not saying get shit-faced. You can go to a party without getting drunk. Besides, aren’t you still set on making valedictorian?”
I knitted my eyebrows. “Of course. What does that have to do with Maiken or having fun?”
“Between doing my job and Liam’s on the farm and studying, you won’t have time to see any boys, let alone Maiken if he were here.”
“You’re just a bag of fun. Not.” Although he had a point. Until Daddy hired someone to help out, it was little ole me and Daddy. Momma would help, but she had her hands full with the farm store.
“If you need anything, Quinn, call me. You hear me? I’ll be there for you.” Sincerity threaded through every word.
I snorted. “You’ve never been there for me before unless you were scaring away boys. So what changed? Are you looking for a reason to not go back to school?” He’d told me he was thinking of quitting.
“Not at all. In fact, I’ve decided to give it one more year before I make my decision on whether or not to continue.”
“My advice is to get your degree.”
He hiked a shoulder. “I gotta run. Brianna is waiting.” He closed the distance between us and kissed me on the forehead. “Be good.”
I laughed. “Maybe I won’t this year.”
“It’s your funeral.” He chuckled as he headed to his truck.
I envied my brother. I wanted to pack a bag and drive up to Greenridge.
Carter beeped the horn and waved as he drove off.
My phone rang beside me, and Celia’s name lit up the screen.
“Want to spend the night?” I rushed out. Loneliness was setting in like a bad virus, seeping into every vein, making me feel ill and sad.
