Page 104 of The Hearts We've Broken
Isa had gone home after the Fourth of July, so it was just the boys, me, and Ellison.
“You didn’t hear it from me,” Ellison whispered when the others were walking a little bit ahead of us, “but I’m glad you and Juniper worked it out. It was about time you found someone.”
I gave her a look, and she waved her hands.
“Not in a ‘you need to settle down’ type of way, but in a ‘I’m glad you’re happy, you deserve that’kind of way. Although, it does help that she’s your match in every sense of the word.”
I chuckled. “Thanks for the clarification, Firecracker.”
“Too bad she couldn’t be here.”
“Yeah, it’s too bad, but she’s adjusting nicely to her new place and job. I’ve got plans to go see her.”
“Mikey Tucker, taking a week off bull riding?” She feigned shock.
“You know I’d do anything for a woman.” I winked.
Rolling her eyes, but still flashing me a grin, she corrected, “You’d do anything to get a woman in bed.”
“I mean, yeah, but don’t you know? I’m a changed man. Who would have thought all it would take is a bet for me to get my shit together, huh?”
“I’d expect nothing less.” She laughed as she threw her arm around me, even though I was just tall enough that she had to stretch her arm up a little. “Bring her home a nice check tonight, why don’t you?”
“That’s the plan.”
Colter looked over his shoulder. “What’re you two getting into back there?”
Ellison waved him off. “None of your business, Sparky. Just keep walking.”
“Don’t try stealing my girl now,” Colter teased.
I shook my head, lips curling up into a grin. “No thanks, Carson, I’ve got my own spitfire now.”
“Atta boy.” He winked as he faced forward again and started up a conversation with Reid and Jake.
“I’m telling you, though,” I raised my voice a notch, “Jake and Hayden are next. It’s gotta be Houston. There’s some kind of weird magic in that city.”
“Houston or the Ace in the Hole bar?” Ellisonlaughed. “God, if I didn’t have to step foot in that place ever again.”
Hayden shook his head, laughing silently to himself.
“What’s up, bud?” Reid asked.
“Ah, nothing. Just thinking to myself.”
“You got a secret girl you haven’t told us about?” I reached out my arm to smack him lightly on the shoulder.
He looked back at me over his shoulder. “Something like that.” I could tell he was trying to be casual about it, but there was a longing—a yearning—in his eyes. The same type of longing as the night of the Fourth of July.
“Wait, have you ever had a girlfriend, Hayden?” Jake asked curiously.
He shrugged, spinning around to face forward again. “Sort of.”
“Hayden!” Ellison drew out his name. “Tell us more!”
“Nah, guys, there’s nothing to say. She…words don’t do her justice. Come on, we need to get going so we’re not late.” He started walking faster, the conversation—if there ever was one—was clearly over.
“How’s everything going?” Juniper asked on the other end of the line.
