Page 28 of The Hearts We've Broken
“No, I’m okay. Thanks.” I gave him a soft smile. I wasn’t much of a beer girl.
“So, how was the last leg of your drive?” Reid turned to me, pulling out some lawn chairs for everyone to sit. He set mine up, not letting me lift a finger.
I sat, crossing my legs. “Thanks. And it was good.”
“Mikey hasn’t driven you insane yet? You’re not about to run for the Texas hills are you?” Jake teased, nudging Mikey with his elbow.
I puffed out a small breath of air, shaking my head. “No, it was fun. Learned a lot about you all, in fact.”
“Uh-oh. Not sure I want to know what he told you about us. Probably can’t be anything good.” Jake laughed.
“Nothing good about you, at least,” Mikey jabbed back, a wide grin on his face.
“Figures.”
Before anyone else could poke fun at Mikey, a gray Honda Civic pulled up to the trailers.
“That’s Isa.” Reid practically jumped from his chair.
I turned my head toward the vehicle just as Isabellestepped out. The guys weren’t lying when they said she was short. But she was like a real-life version of Barbie, with perfectly curled blonde hair, long eyelashes, and pouty lips. Even her clothes looked perfect. A twinge of envy rose in my chest as I took her in.
“Oh my goodness, hi! I missed you all!” she squealed, walking right past Reid to hug the other guys.
Reid just laughed, his eyes sparkling at the sight of her. Like he wasn’t even bothered that she didn’t go to him first. Reid looked at Isabelle like she was the only girl in the world. As if she hung the moon and every single star in the sky.
“You must be Juniper! I’m Isa. I’ve heard so much about you!” She came up to me next, immediately pulling me in for a hug, too.
I blinked a few times, never having been one for physical affection. “I’ve heard a lot about you, too.”
“Hopefully nothing bad.” She smiled.
“Only good things,” I replied, pulling back. “I hope you haven’t heard anything bad about me.”
“What? No, never. Anyone who can keep Mikey in line is a good one.” She shot him a teasing look. “I like her already. I’m sure we’ll have lots to talk about.” Isa laughed. “You probably have tons of stories already just from a couple weeks with him.”
I knew Mikey had a reputation for being a playboy, but I didn’t realize how often he seemed to be the butt of everyone’s jokes. Don’t get me wrong, he had a decent sense of humor and was a good sport, but he was almost always the target.
“Have you eaten anything yet?” Reid asked, pulling her away from me. “Also, it’s nice to see you again, Short Stack.”
“I just talked to you on the phone, you’re fine.” She stuck out her tongue. “I haven’t eaten yet. Is that what you’re planning to do? I’m guessing Colter and Ells went out to her mom’s?”
Reid nodded. “Yeah. They said they’d meet us later tonight at the bar.”
“For someone who claims to hate the bars, she sure goes to them a lot.” Isa snorted. “I guess it’s different now that she’s married.”
“Well, let’s head out then?” Hayden stood, stretching his arms out. “Who’s riding with who?”
Isa glanced at me then directed her attention to Mikey. “Hey, you should go with Hayden and Jake, and Juniper can come with me and Reid! I want to get to know your girl.”
My eyes widened. That wasn’t part of the plan. Not that I only wanted to hang out with Mikey, but I wasn’t exactly prepared to spend alone time with his friends.
“You’ll be okay?” he asked, and I reluctantly nodded because what else was I supposed to do? “I can go with you, if you want. It’s up to you.”
I shook my head. Eventually I’d have to hang out with Isabelle—and Ellison—alone. Once the guys started competing, Mikey wouldn’t be attached to my hip. Might as well start to get to know her now.
“Perfect! Finish your beer, Jake, let’s go!” Isa put her hands on her hips, ordering him around like a tiny drill sergeant.
Jake shrugged then chugged his practically full beer, tossing the can in a trash bin close to the trailers.
