Page 100 of The Hearts We've Broken
“I don’t know. I just figured if she wanted to work it out, she’d have reached out…” I knew I’d been thinking about it for a while, but it sounded ridiculous the moment I spoke it out loud.
Ellison pursed her lips. “Interesting. How would she knowyouwant to make it work if you don’t say anything? Maybe she’s waiting for you to reach out?”
“She’s right, man. If you want her, you’re going to have to go get her,” Colter added.
Even Hayden piped up. “The way I see it is you have two choices. Go after her, or do nothing and lose her, knowing thatyou’llalways be in her orbit, butshe’llalways be just out of reach. There’s always a risk, but at least ifyou go after her you’d know.” His face fell slightly, a type of sadness glimmering in his eyes.
“It’s up to you, brother, but from what I’ve seen, you two make each other better. Sometimes, that’s all you can ask for.” Reid kissed Isa on the temple, both of their smiles lighting up the room.
I looked around the table at my friends. My family.
Their words meant the world to me, and if they saw what I saw in my relationship with Juniper, too, then it was time to swallow my pride before I lost her for good.
“I wasn’t sure if you knew, but I saw her last week. She’s not going to be here for much longer,” Ellison said, determination flaring in her gaze. “She got a job, so she’s leaving soon.”
Based on the information Ellison had, I needed to act fast. If what she said was true, I didn’t have much time.
That night, as we left the bar, an idea hit me. I couldn’t just ask her to take me back. I’d fucked up too badly for that. I had to prove to her that I wanted this. That I’d do whatever it took to keep her in my life.
The media may have been the reason we’d gotten into this mess, but I planned to make it the reason we made it out of this, too.
I just had to make some calls.
CHAPTER FORTY
juniper
My apartment application was approved a week after the Fourth of July holiday, so I told Kelly I’d be able to start by the end of the month. It didn’t take me long to pack up the things I owned—I didn’t have many belongings since Brady kept almost all of the furniture. My parents were going to bring a U-Haul over to Minnesota to furnish my new place, so I didn’t have to worry about that at least.
Time sped by in a flash, and tomorrow was the day I was set to leave. I knew Mikey and his friends had been out of town for the holiday, and I’d heard around town that they wouldn’t be back right away. I had no way of talking to him in person, but it was probably for the best. I could have sent him a text, but what was I supposed to say?Hey, I’m leaving Montana. Have a nice life?
I didn’t think so.
When I heard that Mikey got injured, I redownloaded social media to see if it was true. It seemed as though the entire rodeo and western community was talking about it, and a pang hit my chest. I hoped he had someone tosupport him even if it wasn’t—couldn’t be—me. As much as I wanted it to be me, there wasn’t enough time. We’d run out of that.
All throughout my shift at Rudy’s, the regulars came up to me to congratulate me on my new job and express that they’d miss seeing me when they came in for a drink. I guess they’d heard about my departure, probably from Liv and Nico, possibly even Rudy himself.
“Oh, June, I’m going to miss you so much!” Liv cried when she arrived at the bar.
I was working the mid-shift so I could get out at a decent time to ensure the rest of my belongings were packed up and I was ready to leave bright and early in the morning.
“Yeah, Junie, who am I going to harass about going to bonfires and parties now?” Nico sighed, his shoulders slumping.
I let out a soft laugh. “I’m going to miss you guys, too. Coming to Miles City may not have been in my plan, but becoming friends with you guys was one of the best parts of working here. Maybe I’ll come back to visit, and you can host a bonfire in my honor.”
Nico smiled and nodded vigorously before a patron waved him over.
The three of us dispersed, working around each other at the bar, tossing around stories and memories in our downtime.
Before I knew it, my shift was over, and Rudy had come out of the back office to send me off.
“We’re sure going to miss you around here, Juniper.” The old man pulled me into a hug. “Even though we didn’t have you here for long, you’ll always have a place if you want to come back.”
My eyes blurred, but I wasn’t going to cry. I blinked a few times, forcing the tears back. “Thank you, Rudy. I’m sure I’ll always have a soft spot for this bar.”
I went to hang up my apron when the television caught my attention.
“Mikey, a few weeks ago you got injured. Do you mind telling us what happened out there during your ride? What was going through your head after your injury?”
