Page 101 of The Hearts We've Broken
“Honestly, I was unfocused and that moment of distraction cost me. But even if I could go back and change how everything shook out, I wouldn’t, because I realized something.”
The reporter didn’t say anything, leaning in closer as though she was entirely engrossed in what he was saying.
“What the fuck?” I muttered as the video footage continued on the television.
“I was selfish. I hurt someone important to me. I know this whole bull riding thing won’t last forever. Every cowboy has to hang up his hat eventually.”
The reporter looked like she was about to cut in, but he held up a hand to stop her.
“No, I’m not retiring, if you think that’s what this is about. I’ve still got a lot of fight left in me. But when that day comes—when I don’t have the thrill anymore, when I don’t have the fans or the glory—I want the people who I care about the most by my side. Right now, the most important person isn’t here, and it’s my fault. I fucked up. But I intend to do everything in my power to make it up to her.”
“Would this happen to be about—” the reporter started, but Mikey just smirked and replied, “No comment.”
Before the reporter on screen could respond, the TVsnapped off. I turned around to face the bar to see who turned off the TV, but my eyes caught on the entrance. Mikey was standing in the doorway, the sun behind him creating a silhouette of his frame.
Juniper started to walk toward the end of the bar, like she wanted to hide in the back office until I left, but I limped toward her.
“Peach, listen to me. Please,” I pleaded.
“What was that?” She pointed to the television screen. “Was this just another act for you? Something to improve your image? Another bet?”
“No, God no. I meant every word I said. After the accident, when I was laying on the dirt, I was terrified. Not because of the injury, but because I realized if I can’t have a future with bull riding, I also don’t want a future without you. You make me feel whole, Juniper. The past few months have been some of the happiest of my life. I know whatever we had started out as fake, and I was a hypocrite for being upset when I lied to you, too. I broke your trust, and for that I’m sorry. We could have ended our arrangement right in the beginning, but you stuck with me. Youchoseme, and I took that for granted.”
“I—”
I grabbed Juniper’s hand across the bar, desperate for her to listen. “I’ve broken a lot of hearts, baby, but the oneI regret the most is yours. I can’t promise I’ll be perfect. If you haven’t figured it out by now, I can be a fucking idiot, but I swear to you, if you give me the chance, as long as I’m still breathing, I’ll do everything in my power not to hurt you again. I’d let you break my heart a million times if it meant I could use the fragments to make yours whole again.”
“I-I’m leaving,” she choked out. “I got a job and I’m moving. I’m going tomorrow.”
I winced. Mustering up all the strength I could, I murmured, “Then we’ll make your last night here in Silver Creek one to remember. We can figure out the rest later, Peach.”
Her eyes widened. “You mean that?”
“Of course. I let you go once, but I’m not doing that again. Please, just give me a chance to make everything up to you.”
“What about everything that happened? I was using you, too. How can you just let that go?” She looked down at the bar.
“Hey, look at me.” My index finger and thumb found her chin and lifted it so she was looking at me again. “We both made mistakes, but I’d be a hypocrite if I asked you for forgiveness without also forgiving you.”
She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth before nodding slowly. “Okay. I really am sorry.”
“I know, baby. I am, too.”
After hanging up her apron for the last time, Juniper followed me out of the bar, letting me take her hand and pull her along to my pickup truck, ironically just like the first night we got together.
The ride home was silent, but the cab of the truck still buzzed with anticipation and tension. I peeled into mymakeshift driveway, not bothering to park straight as I threw open the driver door then ran to Juniper’s side, practically ripping the door off.
I lifted her out of the cab, holding her in my arms as I carried her inside.
I kicked the front door of the trailer shut then set Juniper down, moving her so her back was flush against the wall by the entrance. My hips pinned her in place, and her hands fisted my shirt as she pulled me even closer.
“You have no idea how much I’ve missed you.” My voice came out in a low groan as I thought about all of the nights I had to spend without her by my side.
Her eyes burned with desire. “Oh, yeah? Then show me.”
My lips smashed against hers, and my hands cupped her cheeks. A quiet whimper fell from Juniper’s mouth as her tongue darted out like she was asking for permission. The kiss deepened, but it was still patient. Neither of us were frantic, instead taking the time to explore each other as though we were strangers meeting for the first time.
Her hands roamed down my body until one cupped the front of my jeans. I sucked in a breath as she squeezed, and my cock sprung to attention.
