Page 31 of Why We Break

At my question, the pig looks at me before turning his body over and offering me his tummy, waiting for me to pet him. I laugh at him, murmuring, “I swear to God, Leroy, I don’t know what the hell I did that made you think you were a damn dog, but sometimes, it’s a little fucking weird.”

Continuing to feed the calf, I shake my head and look around the pen, trying to put together the way Leroy managed to pull this off. My eyes land upon a pile of dirt on one side of the enclosure I built for Ruby, showing me where Leroy clearly used his snoot to dig a hole large enough for him to fit through to wiggle his way in.

“Mischievous little fucker,” I murmur under my breath as Ruby finishes her breakfast. Pulling the bottle away, I reach out and nuzzle her nose, giving her some attention as she wiggles happily under my hand. After a moment, Leroy stands and joins her, the both of them rubbing against each other and letting me pet them.

“You two are so silly,” I tell them with a laugh. “Come on, Leroy, let’s get you back to your pen.”

Both Ruby and Leroy glare at me, as they lay down, cuddling their bodies together in a clear sign of defiance. Rolling my eyes, I throw my hands in the air and shake my head. “Fine. I don’t have time for your nonsense today. I guess you can stay here. I’m sure Leroy will find his way back if he wants to anyway. I don’t know what I’m gonna do with either of you.”

Grabbing Ruby’s empty bottle, I turn and relock the gate before heading inside. After checking the clock, I realize I only have twenty minutes before I need to leave, so I head back to the bathroom, throw on some makeup, and yank the hat off my head, twisting my hair in a bun and hoping it looks presentable.

Running out of my room, I grab my backpack and an energy drink from the fridge before heading out to my car. Just as I’m sliding in the front seat, I hear my phone ping with a text. Throwing the car in drive, I reach around the side pocket of my bag where I’d dropped my cell earlier, pulling it out to check my texts while I speed down the driveway.

CAROLINE: I don’t know about y’all, but I’m so excited about tonight.

MARGARET: Same! I can’t believe it’s been months since we were last at Boot Scooters! Maybe I’ll have better luck finding a man to spin me around this time.

I laugh at my friend’s usual chaos and throw my phone in the cupholder as I race to school. By the time I pull into the parking lot, there’s a long thread of texts, both the girls talking about outfits and logistics. Tucking my phone in my pocket, I rush into the building barely making it inside on time, and unlock my door before throwing my bag down. After making sure everything is ready for the day, I pull out my phone to respond to my friends.

HANNAH: I’m excited, but I can’t believe that Will is dragging us to a high school football game on the first Friday in months that we haven’t had a game.

MARGARET: I know, but I think it’ll be fun. The boys agreed to leave early, so we’ll be ready to dance by nine.

CAROLINE: Yeah, it’ll be fine! Plus, I’m pretty sure the game in Saddle Ridge is the only way we convinced the boys to drive us. We’re really just lucky that Pike’s Corner got caught with ineligible players this late in the season and gave us a bye for the playoffs this week.

HANNAH: Okay, okay, fine. You’re right. But I don’t have to like it.

CAROLINE: Relax, Han, you just need to blow off some steam tonight. Are you SURE you don’t want to reconsider inviting Kent? I bet he’d love to come.

I roll my eyes at my best friend’s not-so-subtle attempt at matchmaking. I told her after the bonfire that Kent asked for my number and asked to go out sometime, but I just couldn’t do it. He’s such a nice guy, but no matter how much I want to, I don’t feel a spark and I don’t want to lead him on.

HANNAH: *eye roll* I’m good, thanks. I just want a night out with my girls. I’ll see y’all around 5!

After pressing send, I throw my phone down just as the bell for homeroom rings, and students start piling into my room.

Grabbing my Expo marker and my computer, I stand to take roll, and add the bell ringer on the board before turning and smiling at my seniors. “All right, guys. Happy Friday. Let’s get started.”

“Oh my gosh,what a game! Saddle Ridge is definitely gonna give us a run for our money next week,” Caroline says, wrapping her arm around me and Margaret as we walk out of Saddle Ridge’s stadium. We convinced the boys to leave at the end of the third quarter since Saddle Ridge was up by four touchdowns, meaning our biggest rivals will be heading to Springside for the next round of playoffs this week.

“Yeah, yeah, you’re right, but that’s the boys’ problem, not ours. And I don’t know about either of you, but I’m ready to dance!” I say, shimmying my shoulders and causing Margaret and Caroline to giggle.

After a short walk to Will’s truck, we pile in to make the short drive over to our favorite dive bar. Line dancing under the neon signs to nineties country music always makes me feel like all my problems fade away for just a little while.

“Let’s go, girls,” I say, grabbing their arms and pulling them inside with me, leaving the boys to follow behind us. Before we make it inside, I can already hear “Sold” by John Michael Montgomery blaring through the speakers, and the smell of beer and grease from the kitchen makes me feel like I’m back in college heading out for a night with my friends.

As we walk inside, Caroline pauses and turns back to the boys. “We’re going to the bathroom. Can you get us drinks and we’ll meet you over there?”

Theo nods, and Caroline pulls us through the packed dance floor. After finding the dark bathroom and freshening our lipstick, we make our way back over to where Theo, Will, and Seth are leaning against the bar holding out a beer to each of us. I take a long sip, moving my shoulders to the beat of “Copperhead Road” before grabbing Margaret’s hand and pulling her to the dance floor to join the line dance.

“Hannah, I don’t know what the hell I’m doing,” she says with a laugh, trying to catch on to the footwork. I see Caroline and the boys laughing at her as I start calling out the steps for her to pick up on. “I swear, I always feel like I missed out on a class in high school or something when we come here.”

I laugh at her sarcasm as Caroline comes over to join us, kicking and turning with us. After a moment, the band comes on stage and starts playing a newer release, and everyone starts to disperse, some still dancing and singing on the dance floor while others move to get a drink or return to a table. Caroline, Margaret, and I move closer to the stage, singing at the top of our lungs while we sip on our beers. Theo comes up behind Caroline, wrapping his arms around her. I lose track of time as I sing and dance along to the music with my best friends until the others hold up their drinks and motion that they need another.

“I’ll grab you one if you save our spot,” Caroline yells over the sounds of “Neon Moon” blasting throughout the bar, and I nod in agreement as they make their way toward the bar.

They haven’t been gone long when the music changes to a slower song and everyone starts to slow dance around me. I scoot up, trying to get out of the way when a man walks up, holding out his hand to ask me to dance. I take him in, rolling my eyes when I see the way he’s dressed like he’s going to church and not a dive bar, but eventually decide to say fuck it and give him a chance. Placing my hand in his, he immediately tries to spin me, catching me off guard and almost causing me to stumble.

We continue to sway to the music with him stepping on my feet every few steps until he pulls back to take a sip of his beer. In the process, he steps on my foot again and stumbles, pouring beer all down the front of my pink sweater. For fuck’s sake, is this guy for real?

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