The stress dissipates from my body. “You had me scared someone was dying. Is that all?”
They share another look.
“Well, yes,” Daddy says. “If you wouldn’t mind printing a bill of sale for her just so our bases are covered legally, that would be great.”
I click around until I find the document, printing it and grabbing it from the printer. I fill out the necessary information and hand it to Daddy to sign. He does, but each movement is hesitant.
“Are you sure you’re okay with this, June-bug? I know I probably should have asked you, but Addison only spoke to me yesterday, and?—”
“It’s fine. You know I love all the horses, but I’m only attached to Honeysuckle and Daffodil. Besides, I've seen the bond between them, and I think this will be a good thing. Does this mean she plans on training to race again?”
“She does. I plan on going to see her first competition, provided it doesn’t overlap with anything else.”
“I’m sure seeing Athena in action will be fun.”
Oh, what I’d give to see her race in person. I had missed the barrel racing portion of the rodeo the night we met. I looked upsome of her videos online, but the effect on a tiny screen is different from seeing it in person.
“You could come too, you know,” Mama says in what I call her ‘fishing’ tone. The one she uses when she’s trying to get information. “I’m sure it’d mean a lot to Addison to have you in the stands.”
“Oh, I don’t think?—”
“We know, June-bug,” Daddy says, the words bursting out of him like he can’t keep them in any longer.
“Sullivan.” Mama scolds, rolling her eyes. “What your father means is, we’d like to talk to you about your relationship with Addison. And don’t pretend there’s nothing going on. We know she’s been sneaking out on the weekends, and the cameras behind the house are pretty clear.”
Fuck. How did I forget about the cameras? We have them for safety purposes, of course, but it never occurred to me that my parents wouldactuallycheck them.
Silly.
“Why does my relationship with Addison matter?”
“Because she’s leaving, baby, and we don’t want you to get your heart broken.”
“I’m not a child. Addison and I know what we’re doing, and I’ll be fine.” My words hold no weight. I can tell, and so can they. I’ve never been a good liar, especially when it comes to my parents.
“Oh, Juniper.” Mama sighs. “You’re falling for her, aren’t you?”
“I’m past falling.” The truth spills out of my mouth like a rushing stream. “I know it’s going to hurt when she leaves, but we both knew it would from the beginning. It would have been the smarter choice to stay away, but we’re drawn together like magnets. I know she can come off as a little prickly, but underneath is someone sweet, caring, and gentle. She… sheseesme. All the bits of me that seem to scare others away, she embraces. I…”
I can’t tell them I’m in love with her. I can’t confess that before I tell her, and I won’t be telling her.
“Why don’t you do long distance, or ask her to stay?” Daddy asks. “Or hell, you can go with her! You can do all the admin work from the road.”
Bless him and his big heart, but he doesn’t get it.
“I can’t ask her to stay. She needs to get back on the rodeo circuit, and we don’t have the means for her to train. You know why I can’t go with her. I would hold her back. It’s better this way.”
Mama’s lips thin, and Daddy’s brow furrows. I can tell they want to protest, to talk me out of my decision, but they know me well enough to know arguing won’t do them any good.
“If you’re sure this is the best option, we’ll support you,” Daddy says. “Can I make one suggestion, though?”
“Sure.”
“Don’t waste the time you have. Soak up every minute you can. Tell her to move her stuff into your place.”
I’ve been wanting to do that, anyway. We only have twenty-seven days left together, and I want to make the most of it.
“Are you sure? I don’t want to seem unprofessional.”
