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Jana felt her face drain of all warmth, then heat back up. “I…” She closed her eyes. High school was so long ago, and her vivid memories all centered on Knox. But filling Evie’s locker with garbage? She snapped her eyes open. “Look, I never put garbage in your locker. I promise. I don’t know who told you that, but—”
“No one told me,” Evie said. “It happened the day after you tripped me, and the whole school laughed at me, including Douglas. I’d heard he was going to ask me to prom. But the next thing I knew, my locker had been filled with garbage, and Douglas asked you to prom. To top it all off, you’d broken my brother’s heart.” Tears spilled down Evie’s cheeks, and she wiped at them furiously.
Now, Jana’s mouth fell open. “Oh my gosh, Evie,” she said, her own heart feeling like it was ripping. “I didn’t know that… I… Yeah, I tripped you, and it was dumb. Really dumb. Douglas dared me to trip the next person to come out of Mr. Gardner’s class. You were it. But I swear… I swear I didn’t put garbage in your locker.”
Evie didn’t answer, but continued to wipe at her tears.
Jana dug out some tissue from her bag and handed it over. “Please forgive me for tripping you. I should have apologized later, and I wanted to, but the thing between Knox and I had my emotions all tied into knots. I should have never gone to prom with Douglas, anyway. We fought the whole time after he accused me of still liking Knox.”
Evie sniffled and wadded up the tissue in her hand, not meeting Jana’s eyes.
“Please, you have to know how sorry I am,” Jana said. “I shouldn’t have tripped anyone. And I’m sorry about your locker. If you find out who it was, I’ll go break some kneecaps.”
Evie peeked at Jana. “You’re not just saying that because you want my approval for you to date my brother again?”
Jana exhaled. “Look. Knox and I are… I don’t know, hanging out? We got some things straightened out between us, and I guess we’re sort of dating now. Not officially, though. I mean, I’m still trying to figure out where he is in his life, and where I am in relation to it.”
“Knox said you were his girlfriend.”
Jana’s cheeks heated up. “Yeah, I heard.”
Evie looked surprised at this. “So it’s not a two-way street.”
It was Jana’s turn to look away. “I won’t deny that Knox has always had part of my heart, and always will. But I’m not seventeen anymore. And I know things have been complicated in his life.”
Evie laughed, and Jana looked at her in surprise.
“That about sums it up,” Evie said, still smiling. “I for one am glad you aren’t blinded by Knox’s way with the ladies.”
Jana nodded. “Honestly, that’s what worries me most.” There, it was out there. In actual conversation. To Knox’s own sister.
Evie moved closer and put a hand on Jana’s arm. “Look, Knox’s past mistakes aren’t any of my business. But I know he’s paid a lot of penance. He’s changed. Everyone in our family can see that. Losing Macie, and almost losing Ruby, really shook him up.”
Jana exhaled, then nodded. “I know he’s changed… but it’s hard for me to trust in good things sometimes.”
“I get that more than probably everyone.” Evie smiled, her tears completely gone now. “Want my advice?”
“Of course,” Jana said. “I could definitely use any advice now.”
“Take it one day at a time.”
The advice was simple—so simple that Jana should have thought of it. “Okay, I will.”
“Oh, and Jana,” Evie said, “I’ve never seen Knox like this around another woman. Not even his ex-wife when they were first together. So for what it’s worth, to him, you are the real deal.”
Jana was speechless.
“Now,” Evie continued, “let’s get those snacks.”
Jana followed her to the concessions, feeling like she’d just lived through two lifetimes. Things between her and Evie were cleared up, and things with her and Knox? More promising than she expected.
“Let me help you carry that stuff,” Jana said as Evie began to scoop up her purchases. “Hungry?”
Evie laughed. “It’s for all of us.”
Once they joined Carson back in the arena, the bull-riding was announced. Evie settled next to Carson, grasping his hand. Jana watched each bull-rider, paying more attention than she ever had to the sport, now that she understood it better.
When Knox’s name was called, Evie and Carson jumped to their feet to cheer. Jana joined them, her heart thudding, almost in time to her clapping. They took their seats, but Jana’s heart was still in the air, jumping each time the bull bucked and tried to throw off its rider.
