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The same blonde woman who had kissed him earlier was right there beside him, crying as she held his hand. They helped her climb into the ambulance with him like she belonged there. Before Junie could react, the doors slammed shut. Sirens screamed into the night.
And just like that, Tanner was gone.
Junie stood frozen in the dust, her whole body shaking. The thick scrapbook felt impossibly heavy in her arms.
She couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe.
She’d come all this way… and he never even knew she was there.
There was no way she could turn around and drive home without seeing him. Without at least offering to stay and take care of him. God, shewantedto stay. She wanted to be the one sitting beside him, the one he needed.
She drove to the hospital on autopilot, barely aware of the road, with Nibbles curled quietly in her lap. When she reached the surgical waiting room, the lie came out smoothly, even though her voice shook.
“I’m his little sister,” she told the nurse.
They let her through without asking for identification. Thank god.
Only one person was sitting in the waiting area.
The blonde.
Ugh. Up close, the woman was even prettier. Her flawless makeup was perfect, not running despite the tears still glistening on her cheeks. Junie ran her fingers under her eyes and prayed she didn’t look like a raccoon.
Junie rushed over, her heart lodged high in her throat. “Is Tanner okay? Do you know anything?”
The blonde looked her up and down, instantly wary. “I’m sorry… who are you?”
“I’m Ju—” The words died in her mouth. “A family friend,” Junie lied, the words tasting bitter. “From Wilder. His hometown. I told his family I’d check in and give them an update.”
The woman’s expression softened just a little. “I’m Lacey Jo.” Her voice cracked on the words. “They just took him back. It’s bad. His leg…” She swallowed hard, fresh tears spilling over. “They said he’ll need a lot of surgery. And even if that goes well, it’ll be months and months of rehab.”
Junie’s knees buckled. She sank into the chair beside Lacey Jo before they could give out completely, her stomach churning with dread.
For the next few hours, Lacey Jo kept talking. She never cameright out and said they were official, but the way she spoke about Tanner—the easy familiarity, the quiet possessiveness in her voice—made it painfully, sickeningly clear that she wanted to be. She’d been following him around the circuit for a while now. They’d been spending time together.
Junie sat there in silence, each word twisting like a knife in her chest.
When the doctor finally came out, Junie held her breath, her whole body tense and waiting.
“He made it through surgery,” the doctor said. “But the breaks are severe. As I mentioned before, he’ll need extensive rehab. As for returning to the rodeo”—the doctor shook his head—“I wouldn’t count on it.”
The words landed like a punch to Junie’s chest.
Lacey Jo started crying again, soft, broken sobs that made Junie’s jaw clench. “C-can I see him?”
Of courseshe asked first.
Junie sat there, throat tight, fighting the unfairness burning through her. Lacey Jo had only known him for a few months. Junie had known him for years. She had been there when his parents died. She had loved him through every rodeo, every win, every loss. If Tanner couldn’t ride anymore, Junie was willing to bet everything she owned that Lacey Jo wouldn’t stick around for the hard part.
But Junie would.
That’s what real friends were for.
That’s whatshewas for.
“Do you want me to tell him anything?” Lacey Jo asked.
Junie shook her head, the words she really wanted to say—I love you. I don’t care if you never ride again. Let me be the one who stays—lodging painfully in her throat. She couldn’t force them out. So she just stood there, silent and hollow, as Lacey walked through the doors into the Surgical Care Unit like she belonged there.
