Page 97 of The Hearts We've Broken
“What are you up to?” she asked, walking over to look through the same clothing rack. “This shirt is cute, do you think?” She held up a light-blue blouse with a tie front.
“Yeah, I like that. It’ll look good with your eyes. I’m just clearing my head.”
“Ah, retail therapy or whatever Isa likes to call it?”
I laughed. “Something like that.”
“What’s going on? I won’t claim to be a therapist or anything, but I can listen.”
“Oh, it’s nothing bad, all things considered. I just…” I took a deep breath. “I got a job position at a research facility. For cancer research.”
“That’s amazing, June! Congrats! Why’s that bad?”
I shifted awkwardly on my feet. “It’s in Minnesota.”
Her face fell a little, but she recovered quickly. “Oh.”
“Yeah, I just put in a housing application. Once they approve it, I’ll be leaving. Probably soon. In the next couple weeks, most likely.”
“I’m happy for you. I’ll be sad to see you leave, but it sounds like this is something you’ve wanted, right?”
I nodded.
“I’m glad you’re sticking to it and following your dream.” She hesitated for a moment, like she wanted to say something else, but then changed her mind. “Well, I’ve got to go, but it was good seeing you. Take care, June.” She waved as she went to check out. When she left, the bells on the door once again jingling, I huffed out a long sigh.
I didn’t know why I hoped she’d say something about Mikey, but I did.
I needed to stop thinking about him. If not for my own sanity, then for the fact that I was leaving.
Natalie parked the car in one of the few spaces on Main Street. Tonight, the entire town gathered in the community park for the Fourth of July fireworks show. Well, the entire town minus a group of rowdy cowboys who I knew would be out of town. That was one of the few reasons I agreed to come out to the festivities. If I’d seen Mikey, I would have caved.
A month had gone by and he hadn’t reached out to me, so I felt like it was safe to assume we were over.
Truly over.
Liv and Nico both gave me a hug when we met up with them.
“I’m so glad you came out!” Liv exclaimed.
I plastered on a fake smile, hoping I was convincing enough. “I wouldn’t have missed it.”
“Well, we’re glad you’re here, Junie. Especially since you got that job offer and are going to be leaving us soon!” Nico pretended to pout.
“I know, I know. It’ll be good, though, guys.” I couldn’t decide if I was trying to convince them or myself.
We chatted a little while longer, and before long, Liv started resting her head on Nico’s shoulder. I guessed after our conversation, he finally gathered up the courage to say something to her. I was happy for them, really. At least one of us out of our friend group deserved to be happy and have a relationship go right.
Behind us, a few townspeople were gossiping about the Silver Creek cowboys. I managed to tune it out for a while, but curiosity got the better of me and I started to eavesdrop.
“Colter Carson and Reid Lawson will definitely win the world this year. Have you ever seen them in person? They’re incredible.”
“Colter’s wife did a few lessons with my niece. They’re good people.”
“It’s a shame about that bull rider. Nobody knows how long he’ll be out for. He was having such a good season, too.”
My brows scrunched in confusion as I turned my head, interrupting their conversation. “What do you mean?”
“You didn’t hear? Mikey Tucker isn’t competing. He got injured a couple weeks ago.”
