Page 42 of Break the Barrier

“Impossible. Not Mr. Cowboy,” Annmarie says, ripping off a bite of licorice she stole from the container on the desk.

I gave her a look. “He lookedsick.”

“But wait, he went to the hospital.”

I shrug. “Well, I didn’t know what to do, so I found his phone and called his mom. She came over but asked me to take him because she wanted to be there when Lue got up. So, I took him to the hospital.”

“Aw, that’s sweet, sissy,” Juniper says, holding her hands to her chest. “You nursed him back to health.”

“I didn’t.”

“I’ll bet she did,” Annmarie says at the same time. I glare at her, and she holds her hands up in defense. “What? I bet he loved getting doted on by you.”

“Actually.” I frown and finish writing out a check beforesealing it in the envelope. “He was so out of it, I doubt he remembers anything.”

Like that he called me beautiful, that he said he’s waited years for his chance with me, or that he told me this “fake dating” thing was never his intention…but I would wait to see what he remembers before saying a word.

“Wow, well, I’m sure that family is grateful.”

“I’m sure they’re just focused on taking care of him at the moment. Lue wasn’t happy this morning when she got there. I think it’s been the two of them for so long that she’s used to seeing her dad happy and healthy, not in the hospital.”

“But now she has her new step-mommy.”

I glare at Annmarie, a prickle of something tingling my neck. “I amnother stepmom. We’re barely anything.” I wave my hand around, like I could blow this conversation away and hope they don’t keep bringing it up.

But that was definitely wishful thinking.

“Yeah.” Juniper drags the word out. “How did that come about anyway? Did he just randomly ask you out or what?”

The urge to spill all my secrets rests on the tip of my tongue. How easy it would be to tell them all about Eric and his threats from last year, how he’s been threatening me and telling me he was coming as soon as he got out.

About how I was almost positive that his old posse had been in the bar at least once, and I’ve never even seen them.

I could tell them. I could spill that secret and the others I was keeping from them.

But…it was my fault we were even in this situation. It was my fault that they were even a part of these “maybe” threats.

I have to handle it myself and keep them far, far away.

“Yeah.” I shrug, keeping my answer casual. “I guess he’swanted to ask me for a while, and I guess I finally feel ready for that.”

All true, so at least I wasn’t lying and adding more to the pile.

“That’s so sweet,” Juniper comments.

“It is. And I’m glad you’re putting yourself out there, you need more in life than just work.”

I level Annmarie with a glare. “You’re one to talk. You practically live here.”

“Yeah, but this is my scene,” she answers, standing to head back out to the bar. “I love to be here.”

I frown. “I love to be here, too.”

She gives me a small smile and nods like she’s not convinced. “Sure.”

She leaves, and Juniper takes her spot in the chair, looking like she has something to say.

“What’s up, June?”