She wrinkles her nose. "And they’re sending you to school all the way in Lonestar Junction. San Angelo is like, way better."
I nod, not wanting to explain to my new friend—possibly the only one that I’ll make—why exactly they want me driving thirty minutesto school every day for my senior year. It’s not only embarrassing, but also super rude to explain that though you might be smart, you’re not smart enough to make valedictorian in San Angelo so they’re hoping everyone in this town will be slightly dumber than you.
"Have you lived in Lonestar Junction for long?" I ask, trying to change the subject.
"My whole life. My dad and mom run a ranch a few miles from here with my grandpa and grandma. Cameron ranch."
"Wow, I’ve never been on a ranch before."
"We should plan a sleepover sometime soon! I don’t have any siblings, so my parents are always telling me to invite friends over."
I smile. "I’d like that. I don’t have any siblings either."
"Are you excited about this being your last year of high school? Got any plans for after graduation?" Georgia asks casually, glancing over at me.
Her question catches me off guard. She’s the first person to ever ask whatIwant to do after graduating—whatIwant in life—instead of assuming I’ll just follow whatever blueprint my parents have laid out for me. That realization hits me like a punch to the gut, leaving me a little nauseous.
I pause, scrambling for an answer, but my mind draws a blank. For the first time, I’m forced to confront how little thought I’ve given to my own future. I’ve been a passenger in my own life.
“My life’s been planned out for me since the day I was born,” I finally say, my voice tinged with something between resignation and frustration. “Graduate as valedictorian. Go to Texas State. Become a lawyer. Take over my dad’s law firm. Marry some rich guy. Have kids. In that order.”
Georgia snorts, her laugh sharp and unapologetic. “That sounds awful.”
I laugh too, more out of relief that someone else gets it than humor. “It really does sound bad when I say it out loud.” The admission feels raw, but freeing. “That’s why I was so eager to get this summer job. I don’t even know who I am outside of their plans for me. I’ve never had to work for anything before. But this?” I gesture around, taking in the bustling rodeo grounds, the energy, the chaos. “This feels like a chance to finally figure out who I am, away from their hovering and their expectations.”
Georgia nods, her expression softening. “I get it. My parents are cool, but growing up in Lonestar Junction, I don’t really know what else is out there. I'd like to live somewhere else eventually.” She mock cheers me in the air with her hand. “Here’s to us figuring it out. And for what it’s worth, I think you’re gonna like the real you."
"You don’t have any post-graduation plans either?” I ask.
"Go to college and have some fun," she grins widely, and I smile back at her infectious enthusiasm. I can tell already, I’m going to like Georgia, and if my parents want me to go to Lonestar Junction to be top of my class academically, I might as well have some fun with her while doing it.
"Truthfully, I’m not sure. I think that’s the beauty of being young. You figure it out eventually via trial and error. I do love children, so maybe something with kids? Like a teacher?" She steps forward and points to the truck next to us. "Well, this is me. Are you parked nearby?"
I scan the lot for my SUV, finding it a few rows away.
"Over there."
She nods and waves, but then her hand stalls mid-air, her gaze dropping over my shoulder and locking onto someone behind me. Her expression twists with immediate annoyance.
“Ugh. What do you want?”
Curious, I turn to see who’s managed to get under her skin.
My eyes land on a tall guy with shaggy, deep brown hair, broad shoulders, and a lean waist. He’s carrying a heavy bag of feed overone shoulder, the strain making the bottom of his shirt ride up just enough to reveal a sharp V-line and a tan, muscular abdomen.
He doesn’t so much as glance at Georgia.
Instead, he grins—right at me—his eyes locked onto mine like I’m the only person standing here as he approaches.
"Georgia," he tips his hat in my new friend’s direction but doesn’t take his gaze off me. "And you are?"
"Mae," I say in a small voice that doesn’t even sound like my own because in this guy’s presence, I can’t even think straight.
Georgia rolls her eyes and sighs, tapping her foot impatiently. "Mae’s transferring to Lonestar Junction High School in August for our senior year. She’s a new waitress at the arena."
He nods, his grin widening before he shifts his gaze away from me, focusing on Georgia finally. I take the break to breath and really study him without his watchful eyes. Bright green eyes, the color of emeralds and a strong jawline for a kid who it sounds like is also entering his senior year of high school. This guy is cowboy, small town charm wrapped up in a bow and I can’t stop staring.
"I need you to take this back to your dad. Hank said he owed him."
