Page 55 of The Hearts We've Broken
“Well, I’m sure it’ll go great.” She smiled at me, and I could only hope she was right.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
juniper
Mikey didn’t make it to eight seconds. He was thrown off the bull around seven, meaning he wouldn’t take home any prize money to add to his yearly earnings. It may not have seemed like a big deal, with it being a smaller rodeo, but every little bit counted when it came to a World Championship.
“Let’s get out of here. Sorry it took me so long,” he apologized.
A chorus ofNo worries, andThat’s all rightrose from the group before they all started to walk to the trucks and trailers.
“I call shotgun!” Jake yelled to Colter and Reid. “Let’s get food, I’m starving.”
Ellison gave him a funny look. “You made me buy you three hot dogs at the rodeo.” She held them up in her hands, and he snatched one.
“Yeah, and I’ll eat these, too.” He took a big bite out of one, and they disappeared around the corner toward the parking lot.
I stayed behind, squeezing Mikey’s shoulder. “I’m sorry about your ride.”
He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “It’s all right. Not that big of a deal.” His posture stiffened as he stood a bit straighter, but his jaw ticked with tension. “Come on, we need to catch up with the group.” Resorting to humor like he always did, he made a self-deprecating joke. “They can’t just hold on for eight seconds to wait for us. But clearly we have that in common.”
He started to walk toward the group, who was a short distance in front of us, but I stepped in front of him, stopping him.
“What’re you doing? What’s up?” Concern painted his features.
“You don’t have to do that, you know.”
“Do what?”
“Make those jokes. Pretend to be okay when you’re not.”
“It’s all good, Peach.” His eyes didn’t meet mine, and his tone was almost too cheery. Strained. Like he was forcing himself to stay upbeat and not act upset about the ride. “I don’t want to bring down the group. Come on.” This time he took a hold of my hand, lacing his fingers with mine. His body language was still stiff, though, his grip squeezing a bit tighter than usual, like he didn’t want me to let go.
Our walk to the vehicles was silent, but I gave his hand a reassuring squeeze if only to let him know that I was there for him.
“No, no, saddle bronc is not easier than bareback!” Jake argued.
“I’m just saying, anyone using a saddle has nothing on me.” Mikey put his hands up.
“Try riding a horse at high speedsandneeding good aim, though. It takes a lot of coordination,” Colter pointed out, throwing his hat into the ring of whatever this conversation was.
“Mikey’s never even tried to ride a horse before, so I don’t know that he actually has any say here,” Ellison teased.
“I have! I did last year!” Mikey protested.
At the same time I started laughing, about to reveal his secret, Ellison retorted with, “Not sober!”
I finally got a word in. “It’s because he’s?—”
Mikey quickly threw his hand over my mouth, the rest of my sentence coming out muffled. My tongue darted out, licking his palm.
He squealed, ripping his hand away. “What wasthatfor?” He wiped the spot I licked on his jeans, shaking his head but unable to contain a smile.
“Come on now, Juniper, don’t leave us hanging.” Reid chuckled.
“Don’t you dare!” Mikey protested as my eyes scanned over the group.
“It’s not that big a deal, he’s just…” I paused.
