Page 25 of Every Single Wildflower
I pace back across the wooden planks, the heels of my boots thudding beneath the prom dress I spent two months searching for.
“He’s not coming.” The words are bitter on my tongue but true.
I should have expected it by now. I’ve given Brady the benefit of the doubt for too long. Forgiven him too many times.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart.” Mom sighs, walking to me with open arms. “You can still go to prom. It’s senior year. You can’t miss it.”
Her warm embrace wraps around me, and I feel less like strangling a tall cowboy who’s proved he has zero respect for me. I know I should have ended it months ago, truthfully even years. Again, my own fault. But as I stand here all dressed up, waiting on my date that chose not to show, I have nothing left to give.
“It’s fine.” I wave a hand.
I refuse to walk into that gymnasium alone and confirm what everyone else already knows. What the whole town will be talking about.
“I wasn’t all that excited to go anyway,” I lie.
I can tell by her pursed lips she doesn’t believe me, but instead of pushing, she kisses my temple.
“Please don’t tell dad.” I groan. “He’ll probably show up at Millie’s with a shotgun.”
She laughs. “I won’t tell. He and your brothers wont' be back until tomorrow, so you can avoid an interrogation.”
“Thanks.”
Her fingers tuck a blonde curl behind my ear. “You want any company?”
I shrug a shoulder. “Not really.”
With a gentle touch to my cheek, she leaves me alone and without even removing my dress, I slip out to the barn. The smell of fresh hay and horses puts my nerves at ease as I walk up to Sugarfoot’s stall. “Hey there girl.”
Dipping my hand into the cubby next to me, I pull out a few treats.
“He didn’t show up.” I hold out my hand as she nibbles her lips along my fingers. “Truth is I’m not upset that he stood me up. I’m upset that I’m missing time with my friends.”
She takes the treat, and I smooth my hand up her nose. “What does that mean?”
You know what it means, Ivy. Admit it’s over.
With a sigh, I rest my chin on the gate, my gaze fixed on the night sky beyond her pen.
“Shouldn’t you be at prom?”
My head turns toward the deep voice that flows from behind me. Maddox stands in the doorway, a fresh pearl snap covering his chest, along with a pair of clean wranglers.
“I would be if your brother bothered to show up.” I push away from the gate.
I watch the way his eyes move over me, before they meet mine again.
He clears his throat. “You…you look gorgeous.”
“Thanks.” I can feel the blush in my cheeks along with the skipping beats of my heart.
“He didn’t show?” He asks, his feet gravitating toward me.
“What’s new, right?” I quip.
He shakes his head, before he slips off his hat and runs his fingers through his dark hair. I’ve noticed he does this when he’s frustrated.
“It’s bullshit, Ivy,” he scoffs.
