Chapter 30
thirty
. . .
Axel
We arrived at the training center just before dinner, and Wren’s disposition immediately changed. She was tense, and definitely more on edge. Maybe it was the training facility, or the fact that she was back and things were about to change.
Everyone we passed gave her a hug, and I quickly noticed the comradery here, just like she’d told me.
She’d talked about all her friends here, and she’d mentioned a few who were not super friendly and kept to themselves.
They were all elite athletes striving to be the best in their field, and not everyone was looking for friendship.
Wren introduced me to everyone, and most were very excited to meet me. Several said they’d heard all about me over the last two years, which surprised me since we hadn’t been speaking. A few of them eyed me up and down, but I didn’t give a shit.
My only concern was her.
She’d arrived here after our falling out two years ago.
This was the big move in her career, where she’d made the choice to go all in and train with the best coach, surrounded by the most elite equestrian athletes in the country.
Some who were here from other countries just to have the opportunity to train here.
And she’d done it.
She’d come out a world champion.
But when she talked about this move back then, she showed this uncontainable excitement. She had zero apprehension about her decision to take the next step.
But that was not the case now.
And I didn’t believe it had much to do with me. That wasn’t Wren’s style. She was driven and confident, and if she truly wanted this, she would be all in. She would be the one telling me that we were going to be fine.
I didn’t believe her apprehension was based around our relationship. Sure, she was dreading the distance. I was, too. But this was different.
Wren wasn’t all in on this decision, but she also wasn’t certain she wanted to call it done.
I knew her well enough to notice the signs.
She’d trained hard back in Rosewood River. So it wasn’t a training thing, either.
I wondered if it was because of the accident, but she wasn’t normally someone who was driven by fear. She’d always embraced that type of emotion.
“So this is my home when I’m here,” she said as she motioned toward a little cabin that sat in the middle of a row of maybe twelve small log cabins.
The training center was on an incredible property, with several arenas spread across the acres of land. The cabins were surrounded by lush tall trees.
“Wow. Beautiful property.” I followed her inside, and we dropped our bags at the entrance. It was a one-bedroom cabin with a small kitchen and a cozy living room. It even had a fireplace surrounded by gray stone.
Wren had the place decorated like a model home. A large white couch with more throw pillows than anyone would ever need and a reclaimed wood coffee table sitting atop a creamy area rug. The cabin even had a chandelier over the couch, which made me laugh.
“You’ve always loved a chandelier,” I said as we stepped into the kitchen, which had white cabinets. She pulled open the refrigerator, took out two bottles of water, and handed me one.
“Remember my bedroom back home had the big crystal chandelier over my bed? And the closet had a smaller version. I loved those so much.”
“Oh, I remember. You’d make me lie on your bed and look at the ceiling because it formed those little shadowed patterns when the light would hit it.” I took a sip of water before setting my bottle on the counter.
“You loved lying there looking up at the ceiling.”
“I just liked being with you.” I shrugged because it was the damn truth. “I always did.”
She hopped up on the counter, and I moved to stand between her legs as her fingers tangled in my hair. “I always did, too.”
“I was surprised you told your friends about me.”
“Well, they don’t know all the details. They just know the history.”
“And what’s the history?” I asked with a smirk.
“I told them about this boy I grew up riding horses with.” She shrugged. “I told them he thought he would outrun me forever, and one day I caught him.”
I laughed. “You sure did. And you never looked back. Left me in your dust, didn’t you?”
Her lips parted the slightest bit as she ran her fingers through my hair. “You were never behind me. Always beside me.”
“It’s where I like to be.”
She pulled me closer and buried her face in my neck. “I love you, Axel.”
“Love you,” I said against her hair.
We sat like that for a few minutes before a knock on the door interrupted us.
She hopped off the counter. “Welcome to Valley International—it’s like a freaking dorm here. People are always coming by.”
I chuckled. “Sounds like my family.”
She laughed as she pulled the door open. “Hey, Coach.”
“Glad to see you back where you belong, Wren.” He gave her a hug, and his eyes moved to me. “You must be Axel. She’s told me a lot about you.”
We walked toward one another and shook hands. “I’ve heard a lot about you as well.”
“Listen, I know there are some hard feelings about what happened with Wrax, and I just want to put this to rest.” He turned his attention to Wren.
“I do not agree with how your father handled that situation, but I do agree with the fact that I don’t think Wrax has a long career ahead of him.
He’s done his job. You will outride him, Wren. And your safety is my priority.”
“So, if that accident had happened on a younger horse, would you be blaming the horse?” She crossed her arms over her chest.
“Circumstances matter, Wren. An accident with an aging horse is going to be concerning. I’m asking what everyone is asking.”
“Which is?” she asked, folding her arms over her chest.
“Will it happen again?” he pressed. Coach Sharky appeared to be in his mid-forties, a few inches shorter than me, and he oozed confidence, at least when speaking about his profession.
“Why don’t you include the real question? The one that my father is most concerned about. Is that your concern now as well?”
“And what’s that?” he asked.
“Is he capable of taking me to the Olympics? Isn’t that what everyone is really worried about?” She moved to stand beside me, and I wrapped an arm around her.
“Well, sure. We’re all wondering that. No one asks if you are up to the challenge when talking about your capabilities, but your horse, yes, there are concerns.
And right now, everyone’s eyes are going to be on you.
On us. When you and Wrax are on your game, you are unbeatable.
I just don’t want your horse to cost us everything we’ve worked for. ”
Cost us everything we’ve worked for?
“Do you remember what you asked me after I won Worlds?” she asked, her voice quieter now.
“I do. And you were exhausted when I asked the question.”
“What was the question?” I asked, because now I was curious.
He lifted his chin. “I asked her if she was ready to chase the final goal.”
“The Olympics,” I said flatly. Because I didn’t know who was chasing it anymore. Her father. Her coach. Or her.
“Yes.” He scrubbed a hand down his face.
I looked down at Wren, who leaned back to look at me. “I was honest. I said that I was tired of chasing things. I wanted to just enjoy the moment.”
“Because you were overworked and burned out at that time,” he snipped.
“But I’m not burned out, Coach. After I got Wrax back, I took him out every single day back home, and I loved it.”
“Let’s just get your head back in the game. Personally, I think the accident shook you,” he said, glancing at me as if he was looking for support.
He was barking up the wrong damn tree.
If Wren wanted to chase something, I’d be out there cheering her on. And if she wanted to just ride for the fun of it, I’d be out there cheering her on just the same.
This conversation was making things crystal clear.
Everyone was concerned about what she could do for them.
I was just concerned about her.
I got it. A lot of prize money was at stake—sponsorships and the whole nine yards. That was many people’s driving force, but that was not my girl’s driving force.
“I guess we’ll find out.” She sighed and then glanced up at me as a wide grin spread across her face. “Wrax will be arriving here tomorrow. He’s coming in an Axel Chadwick custom horse trailer.”
“Wren told me about your business, and I looked you up. I’m super impressed with your work.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.”
“So how long are you staying?” he asked, and I got the feeling that he wasn’t so thrilled that I was here.
“I’ll be here for a week.”
“Ah, you’ll be here for the competition. It’ll be good to see our girl get back to business.”
Our girl?
My girl, asshole.
“Yeah, it’s a good one to cut our teeth on,” Wren said. “It’s on our home turf, and Wrax is also very comfortable being here.”
“Exactly,” her coach said.
She said, “Okay, well, I’m going to take Axel to the Riders Cup for dinner, because I’ve been craving it and he’s going to love it. Best steaks in town,” she added. “And then I’ll meet you to do some cross-training in the morning until Wrax gets here.”
“Sounds good. Glad you’re back, Wren. I’m sure there are a few people who aren’t going to be so happy.” He chuckled, and she just ignored the comment. “I think a lot of people were hoping that you were going to hang up your saddle after that accident. But we’re fighters, we don’t quit.”
“Thanks, Coach.” She nodded.
“You two have a good night.”
Once he left, she hopped back up to sit on the counter and tilted her head to the side. “So what did you think?”
“He’s definitely invested in your career.”
“Well, of course he is. He’s my coach.”
“Sure,” I said, taking a sip of my water.
“Tell me what you’re thinking right now.” She tugged on my tee and pulled me closer.
“Well, I think you’re his golden ticket. He’s probably a great coach, but I also think your success is beneficial to his career, his winnings, and he’s not subtle about it. I’m guessing he and your dad are on the same page there.”
“He likes to win, but I do, too.” She laughed. “Just maybe not as much as I used to. I feel like at this point, my motivation is just about proving everyone wrong about doubting Wrax.”
“Do you think Wrax is up for the challenge?” My fingers intertwined with hers as she thought over the question.
“He’s up for it as much as I am. I’d say we’re on the same page.”
“That’s all that matters. You’ve always trusted your gut, Wren. Don’t stop now,” I said, placing my hands on each side of her face.
“I think I lost myself a little during our time apart, because you were always the person I confided in and talked to about everything. And then it was Coach Sharky and my father, and they know what they want.” She shrugged. “I really just threw myself all in, and I had nothing outside of this.”
“I get it. I got very lost in work myself during that time. It was probably a coping mechanism for both of us, huh?” I rested my forehead against hers.
“Probably.”
“But that’s not something you need to worry about anymore, Wren, because I’m here. And I’m not going anywhere.”
“Well, you’re going back to Rosewood River in a week,” she said with a laugh.
I placed my thumb and pointer finger on each side of her jaw and gave her a chaste kiss. “Such a smart mouth.”
“You love it,” she said, her voice lighter now.
“I love you. No doubt about it.” I tugged her down from the counter. “Now let’s go eat before I change my mind and strip you naked and have my way with you.”
“We could always do that first,” she said, walking backward toward the bedroom.
“Yeah? I wouldn’t mind burying my face between your thighs before dinner.”
Her cheeks pinked, and then she turned and ran toward the bedroom. “You won’t get an argument from me.”
That’s what I like to hear.