Page 46 of The Hearts We've Broken
I shook my head. “I did not.”
“Yeah! Reid, me, and a few other guys on the rodeo team back in the day made it up on the wall. Only the best of the best end up on the Marco’s wall of fame. Even Coach Aaron’s up there.”
“I think I’ve seen that picture up there before,” Juniper admitted, suddenly acting shy. “Maybe that’s where I recognized you guys from.”
Reid’s eyebrows shot up. “Oh, yeah?”
There was a hint of skepticism in his voice, but I couldn’t pinpoint why. I thought I’d recognized her from somewhere, too, but I chalked it up to seeing so many people and the faces all blending together. Besides, I wouldn’t have thought I’d forget a face like Juniper’s.
I rested my hand on her knee, giving it a light squeeze. Instead of moving it off her leg because no one would actually be paying attention to what was happening under the table, her lips curled up in a soft smile.
Our food came out surprisingly fast, and our chatter lulled as we dug in.
“This is probably the best burger I’ve ever had.” A few heads bobbed with my compliment. “You’ve got good taste, Firecracker. In food and company, clearly.” My brows wiggled.
“That’s probably the nicest thing you’ve said to me all year, Michael,” she teased.
Juniper gave me a confused look as she listened to us. Ellison and I had our fair share of banter, but it was allplatonic—honestly more sibling-like than anything. Sure, I gave her a lot of shit, but she gave it right back.
My hand found Juniper’s and gently squeezed, my thumb brushing over hers, rubbing small circles on her skin. For whatever reason, I liked the subtle intimacy. Pretend or not, it was comforting. Especially when she returned the gesture.
After we’d finished our meal, Reid flagged down Lauren so we could all pay.
“Suppose we should get a move on so we don’t miss Jake and Hayden’s performance.” Reid stood then pulled out Isa’s chair for her. “Shall we?”
One by one, we got up. As we headed toward the exit, Ellison and Colter shared a heartfelt goodbye with the older woman behind the counter and then we were on our way.
The moment we got to our seats, a couple of girls approached us.
“Are you Mikey Tucker?” one of them, a blonde, asked.
“Sure am.” I looked up.
“I’m ahugefan of yours.” The other—a redhead with giant eyelashes and far too much makeup—squealed as she bent down, practically pushing her tits into my face.
“Thanks,” I muttered, snaking my arm around Juniper’s shoulders and leaning toward her so I could try to see around the girl.
“Will you sign?” the girl asked, and I realized she wanted me to sign her boobs.
“Give me your arm,” I instructed after she handed me a Sharpie.
She pouted as I signed her forearm instead and mumbled an unenthusiastic, “Thanks, I guess.”
“What was that for?” Juniper asked when the girls had left. She lowered her voice. “Was it because of the media?”
“You’re my girlfriend. It’s always a bad look to be signing another woman’s tits. The only ones I want to see are yours, Peach.” I winked. “I’m a one-woman man now. You’ve shown me the light.” Dramatically, my hand waved in front of my face, like I was Buzz in theToy Storymovies.
She rolled her eyes, but appreciation still shone in her expression.
“Never thought we’d see the day that a woman would have Mikey whipped.” Colter chuckled.
In the moment, I’d forgotten the others were there and they saw the whole thing.
“Looks like you can never leave this man, Juniper. We can actually sort of tolerate the guy now,” he continued.
I waved him off as the announcer called out the last steer wrestler over the loudspeakers. The cowboy, who came from a small town out of New Mexico, clocked in a time of five-point-three seconds.
“All right, ladies and gents, first up in the tie-down roping, we’ve got a cowboy hailing from the state of Montana! Jake Flynn!”
