Chapter Sixteen #2
“I won’t,” she said, and seemed to think on things. “Is it because he owns Golden Oaks and Knighton Equestrian? Fuck anyone who accuses you of sleeping your way to the top. Your performance speaks for itself.”
I shook my head. “It’s not just that.” I sighed in exasperation. “I know you’re my best friend, my sister, and I tell you everything, but I really can’t go into why we’ve decided to keep this secret. It’s . . .” I trailed off. “It’s not my story to tell.”
Sage studied me harder, and for a moment I worried she could read my soul.
“Okay,” she said, and reached for my hand.
Squeezing it, she said, “I’m not going to lie, that worry in your gaze is kinda concerning me, but I trust you to be safe—and if you ever need to talk about anything, you know I’m a vault. ”
I kissed Sage on the cheek. “Oh, I know you are.” I raised my eyebrow at her knowingly, and Sage stuck her tongue out at me.
But to be fair, she was a vault. After all, she had her own drama concerning another member of the Knighton family, and her rude gesture told me she knew that I was onto her.
I was sure there was more to their story than she’d divulged.
She didn’t really have a leg to stand on.
Watching the floors descend on the elevator panel, I said, “You ready for this one?”
Sage nodded her head. “As long as there’s no fucking water jump, my queen of darkness will kick ass this weekend.” I laughed. Fefe was quite the drama queen, but when she was on form . . . the world had better watch out.
Sage stepped closer and closer to me, until she said, “Sooo . . .” I turned to her. She put her hands out, palm facing palm, lips pursed, and said, “Just tell me when to stop.” She began moving her hands apart, an inch, two, three . . . and I slapped them down.
“Sage! Can you stop?” But I laughed under my breath.
“For fuck’s sake, Hals. Inquiring minds just wanna know.” She leaned closer. “I’ve seen numerous pictures of Jasper in breeches over the years, and let’s just say they leave nothing to the imagination.”
“Sage,” I said, “I’m warning you. Stop.”
Sage shrugged and leaned back against the elevator wall.
She played with her hat and hummed along to an instrumental piano rendition of “Albatross” by Taylor Swift.
I stretched out my neck, relaxing my muscles, trying to ignore her, but it was no use.
Eventually I sighed and said, “It’s fucking huge. ”
“I knew it!” Sage shrilled triumphantly. She cackled, then wrapped her arm around my shoulder. “You go, girl! Get that massive D!” The doors chose that exact moment to open, and Atticus was waiting just outside. I felt my face flame. Atticus covered his smirk with his hand.
“Ladies,” he greeted, then jumped on the elevator as we exited.
Sage nodded her hello, just as I said, “Hi, Atticus.”
“I left my hat upstairs. I’ll see you at practice,” he said.
As the doors closed, and we walked outside to our car, I said, “Inquiring minds want to know if large endowments run in all the Knighton men?”
Sage choked. “Don’t, Hals. I’ve managed to block all memory of that particular cock.”
She quickly changed the subject to talk of this weekend’s course.
“Yes, baby boy!” I said, as Huxley got us another clear. I stroked his neck and kissed his mane. “I’m so proud of you, baby. You are such a good horse.”
I was the anchor rider on our team today. Sage had gone early in the class and had set the time for the fastest round on Fefe. They had flown over the course like bats out of hell. No one came close all class until Atticus, riding eleventh, smashed her time by three seconds.
I glanced at mine and Huxley’s time and smiled. Once again, we Knighton riders were dominating the top three, only with Sage in second place this time, and me and Hux in third. Atticus, of course, was firmly in first place.
By the time the final few riders completed the course, we still held all the top spots.
After receiving our trophies and ribbons, and taking our victory gallop around the arena, we dismounted and led them to the stalls.
I had just finished kissing Huxley and giving him a treat when I saw Jasper in the distance.
He was chatting to some other riders, and I couldn’t help but want to throw him into a stall and ride him too.
Like in Doha, Jasper came out of his private box before I rode and stood with me to keep me calm. But I was better this time. Now that I had a Grand Prix under my belt, my nerves were low level. Still, having Jasper beside me before every ride was certainly something I could get used to.
I had just taken off my hat and unbuttoned my riding jacket when someone covered my eyes from behind me. “Guess who?” I couldn’t help the beaming smile that pulled on my face when that familiar gruff voice and strong Texan accent drifted into my ears.
It couldn’t be . . .
“No way!” I said and turned around. Canyon Hayes stood there in all his Texan cowboy ruggedness, and a lump clogged my throat.
“Hey, short stack,” he said affectionately, pulling on the end of my braid. I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.
Canyon hugged me back and a few stray tears fell from the corners of my eyes.
When he put me down, I stepped back to look him up and down.
A rush of homesickness washed through me, seeing him dressed in his typical red plaid flannel shirt and well-worn jeans with battered cowboy boots.
His light-brown, shoulder-length hair was as thick and wayward as always, and he looked just like he always had when we grew up side by side on my daddy’s ranch.
“What are you doing here?” I said, holding on to his arms. I chuckled. He was still as muscled as always. But I hadn’t seen Canyon in over a year, our schedules not allowing us the time. Seeing him now before me, I realized just how much I’d missed him.
“What?” he said, his tongue wrapping around his vowels. “You think I wouldn’t come and see my Hallie-girl kick ass in her fancy-ass horse competition just south of the border?” He balled his hand into a fist and pretended to punch my arm. “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”
Gratitude hit me like a tidal wave. I hugged him again, tighter this time, and Canyon pulled back and asked, “You gonna introduce me to your new man?” My heart fluttered at that, and I naturally sought out Jasper.
He was nowhere to be seen. But when Canyon pointed to Huxley, I realized he meant my new man of the equine sort.
Get your head on straight, Hals.
I turned to my beautiful horse and ran my hand down Huxley’s nose. Huxley huffed his warm breath in my face. “This is Lord Huxley, the current main man in my life.”
Canyon ran his hand down Huxley’s neck, and like all horses, he leaned into his touch.
“Howdy, boy. You better be keeping my girl here safe.” I lost myself in studying Canyon’s movements.
He continued running his hand all along Huxley’s body, studying his build, sizing him up, while my horse relaxed under Canyon’s touch.
The sound of a throat clearing behind me made me jump.
Jasper stood behind me, a furious look on his face.
My heart raced at his expression—nothing, and I meant nothing, was as hot as Jasper Knighton going all alpha and claiming me as his, whether it be with words or body language alone.
And when Canyon turned around and glanced between Jasper and me with a raised eyebrow, I knew I’d have to have a talk with Jasper about his obvious jealousy.
We were meant to be keeping our relationship secret, but if he kept acting like this, we wouldn’t stay a secret for long. And that couldn’t happen.
I rocked on my feet. “Jasper, I didn’t see you there,” I said with a forced laugh. Jasper continued glaring at Canyon, arms crossed over his broad chest.
Jasper tipped up his chin. “Who’s your friend, Hallie?” Jasper’s deep and savage voice had my stomach clenching. It was so hot. With his dark hair, eyes, and stubbled cheeks, he looked menacing.
Taking hold of Canyon’s arm, I said, “This is Canyon. We grew up together as kids, until . . .” A wave of sadness immediately swept over me. When I looked up, Jasper’s hard stare had switched to one of concern, clearly sensing my change in mood. “Until I had to leave Texas for Florida.”
“Canyon Hayes,” Canyon said, and put out his hand for Jasper to shake, giving me time to gather myself from the flash of grief that had just wrapped around my heart.
Jasper shook Canyon’s hand, then tipping his head to the side, said, “Why do I know your name?”
Canyon hooked his thumb at me. “No doubt from Hals.” Canyon put his cowboy hat on his head and tipped the front at Jasper. “I remember hearing about you when Hals was growing up in Florida.”
“And we’ll stop there, thank you, Canny,” I said, my cheeks beginning to burn.
“No, I’m keen to hear those stories,” Jasper said, but then studied Canyon again. Recognition hit his eyes. “Canyon Hayes . . . as in Canyon Hayes, the natural horseman?”
Canyon wasn’t good with recognition or praise, so he just nodded his head. “At your service, sir.”
“I’ve read articles about you,” Jasper said, his jealousy dropping and a hint of awe lacing his voice. “You’re a horse whisperer.”