Not listening to me. Being a stubborn asshole. Making my job harder and pissing me off.
Every day, I want to strangle him. He’s sarcastic and moody and seems hellbent on making me angry at every turn. I don’t understand why I let him get to me. Why I let him rile me up.
But it’s Friday night, and we’re done with chores and dinner, and I’m making my damn escape. I need a night where I don’t think about that jackass.
So after a thorough shower, I get dressed in jeans and a T-shirt—not dirty and ripped from farm work—and head into town. I didn’t even ask Millie if she was going out tonight, like I normally would have.
Everything is just pissing me off, and I think maybe I’ve been a little snappy even to my best friend these days. Maybe I should just hop on the highway and go to Big Bend or Hayes—one of the other small towns around, but I do the stupid thing and pull into the bowling alley.
Why?
I don’t want to stop and think about the why.
I just hop out of my truck and walk inside—my eyes sweeping the crowded alley before finding thatwhystanding behind the counter, helping an older couple rent out shoes.
She must sense someone watching her because her pretty eyes trail over to me, but instead of scowling or looking unhappy like you’d expect someone to look when they see an ex, her smile is pretty and genuine. I raise my hand in an awkward wave, and her grin only widens as she nods in my direction.
When she’s done with the customers, I head over, my heart beating so hard, I feel like I might be sick. “Hey, Luce.”
“Hi, Jasper.” Her voice is sweet like honey and hurts to actually hear it again, knowing she doesn’t want me anymore. “How have you been?”
I hate the pity I hear in her voice. Like I’m handling the breakup far worse than she is—which okay, I probably am. But I’m the one who got dumped here. That’s totally normal, I’d assume. “I’m fine. Just dealing with training a spoiled jackass out on the farm.”
She grins shyly. “Yeah, Millie mentioned that.”
“Of course she did.” I roll my eyes but keep my tone light. “She thinks it’s hilarious.”
She giggles lightly. “Yeah, she mentioned that too.” She looks behind me. “Is she not here with you?”
I feel instantly bad and shrink in on myself a bit. “Uh... I didn’t ask if she wanted to come out tonight.” Lucy is watching me carefully, knowing me well. “I was in kind of a pissy mood.”
“Can’t imagine,” she teases. “Want a soda?”
“Sure,” I say and take a seat at the long counter bar up front while she turns around and pours me a Coke—not having to ask what kind I want. Everything with us is so easy. I don’t understand why she doesn’t want to be together.
“So how are your parents?” she asks as she places the drink in front of me. And see? She cares about me. I know that. And we have a history. I don’t talk about my parents much, not because they’re bad people but because life is really damn hard sometimes. But she knows about my life because she’s always been there.
She knows my parents. She’s spent Christmas morning with us before. My mom bought her presents. We had a plan. And then it all went to shit because all of a sudden, she decided she wanted something different.
I try not to think about it because she’s being kind, and I don’t want to sound bitter. I don’t want to be bitter. I just want things to go back to the way they were. “Hanging in there.” I don’t really want to go into how not okay they are. “How are yours?”
Because I’ve also spent holidays with her parents. I was there at her grandfather’s funeral last year. “They’re okay. My mom was asking about your parents the other day.”
You could have asked me.I think to myself. She didn’t call me. She’s been avoiding me. I guess I’ve been avoiding her too.
Her small hand covers mine where it rests on the counter, and I jolt in surprise as I look up at her. Her pretty eyes meet mine, and I see a hint of tears swimming in them. “Are you okay?”
No. Not at all. Not even close. My entire world is crumbling.
“I’m fine,” I say with the straightest face I can muster.
I don’t think she believes me, but she removes her hand slowly, not saying anything. But she’s thinking something, I just don’t know what, and whatever it is, is cut off when she looks over by the door. “Millie!”
She takes off, and I turn my head to find Millie—but to my horror, she’s not alone. She brought Emerson.
Traitor.
I stare, stunned, as Millie and Lucy hug before Millie introduces Emerson to Lucy. My entire body goes cold and then surges into an inferno of rage as I watch Emerson’s eyes drag overmygirlfriend.
