“Garrett?”
I turned to see Emma standing there.
“I just wanted to say I’m glad you’re okay and that the fire didn’t make it to y’all’s ranch.”
I didn’t have the energy anymore. I smiled slightly at her and said, “Thanks,” before turning and making my way upstairs.
I’d never been so tired in my life.
“Garrett, please go do something with your friends. It’s your Christmas break, and all you’ve done is help your father with the ranch. You need to have fun. Billy called and asked—”
I stood up as I grabbed my cowboy hat and looked at my mother. “I’m sorry, Mom. I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but I’m not interested in doing anything with my friends.” I started making my way to the front door.
“Is this because of Emma? Garrett, is that what’s bothering you?”
I stopped just short of the door. Just hearing her name hurt my heart. Both my mother and father had seen how I’d reacted to Emma last summer, and they were convinced I was head over heels for her. It was too bad Emma didn’t feel the same way.
“No,” I said as I opened the door. I gently closed it behind me, and I made my way down to the barn.
I just needed to ride. I needed to go for a ride and clear my head. I would be leaving and playing football for Texas A&M next year, and I would forget all about Emma. At least, that was what I kept telling myself.
After I saddled up Jack, I hopped on him and took off to my favorite spot on the ranch. Once there, I jumped off of Jack and let him roam while I went and sat against the giant oak tree. I loved it here. It was quiet, and I could really think. I closed my eyes and thought back to the other day.
Billy walked up to me and gave me a weak smile.
I smiled back as I put my books away in my locker. “What’s going on? You look like someone died,” I said with a chuckle.
Billy looked down. “Garrett, are you ever going to ask Emma out again?”
My heart dropped, and I knew what he was about to say. “I’ve asked her out a dozen times, and every time, she says no.”
He looked me in the eyes and then glanced back down. “This morning, Michael asked her out to go skating.”
God, please no. “What did she say?”
“Yes.”
I stumbled backward just a bit and hit my locker. “What?”
I looked past Billy, only to see Emma and Peggy walking up. Both girls were laughing.
“You’re going out with Michael?” I asked before I could stop myself.
Emma’s smile faded, and she quickly glared at Billy and then turned back to me. “Um…”
I shook my head and let out a laugh. “I’ve been asking you out for months, and you keep turning me down. He asked you one time, and you agreed?”
She swallowed hard and stared into my eyes. I almost thought I saw regret in her eyes, but I knew that was wrong. This girl had been pushing me away since the moment I met her.
“Um…well…”
I pushed off against my locker and stood right in front of her. “I got the message loud and clear.”
As I turned to walk away, Emma began calling out for me, but I kept going until I was out the door and to my truck. I jumped in and took off for home. For the first time in my life, I cried, and it was for losing something I never even had in the first place.
“Garrett?”
I slowly opened my eyes to see Margie sitting on top of my mother’s horse.