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With a deep sigh he pushes his hand through the waves on top of his head. “It’s gonna be different without you here.” He shrugs like it’s no big deal but I realize that to him, my leaving is a bigger deal than I assumed it was. I’ve selfishly been thinking of myself and Gillian the last few weeks.
I don’t know why I didn’t think of it earlier. I’ve been so wrapped up in being nervous to move somewhere new and reassuring Gillian that we’re going to be okay that I didn’t stop to think about how Emmett might feel.
Jude will be fine, he’s solid and stronger than I’ll ever be, but Emmett has always used his humor and affable nature to push his feelings back.
“I’m gonna miss you, too,” I say.
“Yeah, right.” He pushes his hands into the pockets of his worn-out jeans. “You’re gonna be off being a football god. You’re gonna forget about this place.”
“This place is all I’ve ever known.”
“Whatever.”
He tries to walk past me again, but I step in his way and do something I haven’t done since we were little kids. I pull him into a hug, smacking him on the back.
“I’m gonna miss you. You need me, you call, all right?” Sometimes I forget that Emmett is a few years younger than Jude and me.
For a second I think he might push me away but he squeezes me tight. “Gonna miss you too.”
There’s an awkward beat when we separate for a moment, but then we both sort of laugh and walk out of the barn.
“I almost forgot. Dad wants you to walk some of the kids around on the ponies. That’s why I came to find you.”
I expect him to complain, but instead he nods and smiles. “Yeah, they’ll probably like that. See you later.” He peels off and heads in the direction of the horses while I come to a stop and look around.
Since I didn’t realize I needed to have a conversation with Emmett before I left, I figure maybe I need to have one with Jude, too. I spot him standing off to the side of the crowd—no surprise there—with Sadie Wilkins. Also, not a surprise.
She’s from the ranch that borders ours and is the same age as Jude. They’ve been best friends for as long as I can remember. Sadie seems to be about the only one who can put up with Jude’s grumpy ways on the regular, though I don’t know how she does it.
I head off in their direction.
“She just seems off. I don’t know,” I hear Sadie say as I approach.
“I can swing by tomorrow and have a look at her if you want,” Jude says.
“That would be great. You’re the best.” She reaches out and squeezes his forearm and he sips his beer causing her hand to drop.
It always surprises me that these two never got together—at least as far as I know.
“Hey guys,” I say.
Sadie smiles and tucks her blonde hair behind her ear.
Jude’s eyebrows draw in like maybe he’s annoyed that I’m here.
“What are you guys doing?” I ask.
“Nothing,” Jude says.
“Just chatting,” Sadie adds. “Are you excited to be leaving tomorrow?”
“Yeah. A little nervous though.”
“That’s normal. You’re going to do amazing there. I know it.” She leans in and gives me a hug.
“Thanks, Sadie.”
Sadie has always been more like the sister that I never had than a neighbor to me, probably because of how much she was around when we were growing up.
