Page 20 of The Hearts We've Broken
Juniper shuffled her feet under the table, her jaw hardening for a quick moment. “I needed a change in scenery. One of my friends offered to let me stay with her for the time being, and I took her up on her offer to get out of Goldfinch.”
“Do you plan to stay, or?” Ellison continued.
Juniper’s face paled. I didn’t think it was anyone’s business what Juniper chose to do with her life. This agreement didn’t span more than a couple months, and while we were playing the part, there was no reason to put the idea in their heads that this was more serious than it was, especially since we’d just met. Besides, their questionswere more a reflection of me and my behavior than of Juniper.
“I think that’s enough questions,” I cut in before things could get out of hand. “We didn’t come here for an interrogation,” I added with a stern look.
A few apologies were muttered from around the table. I reached down to find Juniper’s hand, giving it a light squeeze to let her know I had her back. That I acknowledged the awkwardness of the conversation and was sorry.
A timer conveniently went off, and Ellison scrambled out of her seat to go to the kitchen.
“Need some help, Blaze?” Colter called after her. Before she could answer, he was already up from his chair, following her.
Jake cleared his throat. “I’m gonna go grab some drinks that I brought over.”
Reid got up next, holding his phone to his ear. “Honeybee, what’s up?”
I guessed no one wanted to sit in the uncomfortable silence that they’d caused.
“I’m sorry for everyone’s questions,” Hayden murmured before softly chuckling. “We’re not exactly used to Mikey bringing someone around. Doesn’t excuse it, but I hope we haven’t scared you off or made you feel bad.” He gave her a tight-lipped smile before patting the table and getting up himself.
Juniper pulled her lips to the side and mumbled, “Well, that could have gone better.”
I lowered my voice so Colter and Ellison couldn’t hear. “Don’t worry about them, Peach. Their reactions are more a reflection of me than of you. Like Hayden said, they’re not used to me bringing girls around, much lesshaving agirlfriend, so I’m sure it was a shock. I’ll have a talk with them later.”
God, what had I dragged her into? She’d made the move on me first that night, but part of me thought I should have just let her go when she tried to leave. I had to remind myself it was only until the end of Houston and then whatever she wanted me to do this summer. A bit of discomfort would make it worth it for both of us by the end.
Anything was possible if you just hung on for eight seconds.
“What if this just isn’t worth it?” she whispered, voicing my exact fear.
“Nothing’s binding, Juniper. If you want out, just say the word and we can end things.” It would cost me money and my dignity, but I wasn’t going to force her into an arrangement she didn’t want.
She paused, as though a billion thoughts were rolling through her brain. “No. I don’t want out. I can do this.”
I couldn’t tell if she was trying to convince me or herself. Whatever her motivation for this was, it was strong enough to keep her here.
“The offer still stands. If at any point you decide you can’t do this anymore, we’ll end it. Add it to the list of rules.”
The front door creaked open and Reid and Jake appeared, carrying a couple cases of beer, cutting our conversation short. There wasn’t much left to say anyway. But I was secretly hoping Juniper wouldn’t give up on me.
Hayden came back next with a plate of rolls from the kitchen, and Colter and Ellison followed suit, each carrying a plate.
“Here, let me take that from you,” Reid offered to take one of the plates—pork roast—from Ellison’s hands.
“Anything else that I can grab?” I asked her.
“Yeah, do you want to grab the empty plates and silverware from the counter?”
I nodded, heading into the kitchen before hearing Juniper ask if she could do anything.
“No, you’re our guest. And I apologize for prying earlier. We really do want you to feel at home here. Our group can be a bit chaotic at times, especially with Mikey.” Ellison laughed. “I should have afforded you the same respect the guys all gave me when Colter first introduced me.”
“To be fair, I thought you were going to clock Mikey in the face the first time you met him,” Jake pointed out.
I started walking back just as Ellison shrugged, and a small smile tugged at my lips. “I’m sure I would have deserved it.”
“I kicked your ass in pool, so that was enough for me,” she teased.
