Hayden.
My first friend.
Myonlyfriend, really.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
hayden
PRESENT DAY
By the time Sierra and I arrived, Rudy’s was already packed with people coming in from the rodeo and the fair. She won the barrel racing during today’s performance round, so naturally I had to keep the competitive spirit going and challenge her to a round of carnival games before we met up with the rest of the crew at the bar. This led to us showing up a bit later than planned.
“Damn, it’s busy,” Sierra muttered as we pushed through the crowds trying to find our group.
The fair had a beer garden, but Rudy’s had grown in popularity in our small town after Juniper, Liv, and Nico helped develop themed nights for the bar, including western swing and line dancing, barrel night—which was popular because you could get six shots and a mixer in a small plastic barrel for ten dollars—and bingo. Tonight was—to my dismay—karaoke.
“Hayden! Over here!” Jake’s voice rose over the music and the person screaming into the microphone. I scanned the bar and saw his head poking above the sea of people.
“This way.” On instinct, I took Sierra’s hand to lead her through the masses. She didn’t protest, probably because she didn’t want to lose me. The minute we got to our group, though, she shook herself free from my grasp. It worked out in her favor—and mine—that Mikey handed me a beer at the same time, lessening the sting a bit.
“Hi!” Juniper came up to me, hugging me around the waist. Her eyes were a bit glassy, and it was obvious she’d been drinking a bit. “It’s so good to see you!”
I hugged her back, chuckling a little at her drunken state. “Hi, Juniper.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Sierra talking to the other guys and Ellison.
“Good to see you again, Sierra. I hear Haydie over here has been a joy to live with,” Jake teased.
She narrowed her eyes. “What makes you say that?”
“Oh, nothing. Just that our boy here says he’s been?—”
Lightning fast, I punched him in the ribs. Jake clutched his side, moaning and groaning about the pain. I rolled my eyes and then shot Jake a glare to send the message to quit messing around. “He’s just being a dick. Don’t listen to him.”
“Okay…” Sierra’s brows furrowed, but then Ellison and Juniper stole her away to the bar.
“What the fuck was that for?” I grumbled to Jake after they were out of earshot.
He shrugged. “Hey, I’m just trying to help you out. It’s clear you’re still in love with her, dude.”
“And you think saying that she put me in the friend zone is going to help? How would you like it if I went up to Caitlin and did the same thing?”
Jake hesitated, allowing Mikey to pipe up and cut in. “It worked for Isa and Reid.”
“Yeah, well, those two were idiots.” Colter laughed, adding, “No offense, Reid.”
Reid rolled his eyes. “None taken, I guess.”
“Wait, weren’t you the one telling me to tell Juniper how I felt about her before it was too late?” Mikey asked, putting his elbow on my shoulder even though I was three inches taller than him and it looked weird. When I didn’t respond, he exclaimed, “You were! Dude, take your own damn advice!”
I made up some lame half-excuse, unable to look him in the eyes. “It’s different.”
“How? How the fuck is it any different?” Mikey’s tone almost sounded annoyed, like meeting Juniper had turned him into a hopeless romantic all of a sudden.
An exasperated sigh escaped my lips. “It just is. There’s a lot of history and baggage there that I’m not sure she—or I—is ready to unpack.”
“Take your time, brother.” Colter clapped a hand on my shoulder.
