Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 128313 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 642(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128313 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 642(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
“What?” Sage said, laughing. “You think some grainy picture of Hallie walking with Jasper one night in a public place is somehow evidence of them fucking?” Sage flicked her hand in dismissal. “Y’all need to get a life.”
But Alexis never moved her eyes off me. This woman had a reputation for being a tyrant in the industry, and she’d clearly set her sights on me as her next target.
Finding my voice, I said, “We were discussing the course, Alexis,” keeping the wavering out of my voice. “Nothing more. There’s no juicy story for you here.”
“Now kindly, or not so kindly, fuck off from our table,” Sage added, pasting a sugary-sweet smile on her pretty face.
“This might be the only picture there is, but people have been talking,” Alexis said.
“Alexis,” Jake warned. She ignored him.
“Jasper’s sudden appearance at this year’s tour when he’d made it clear he was staying away.” I kept my face neutral. “The way he comes to see you before you jump.” Then Alexis smiled. “And the fact that he sneaks into your room most nights, not coming out until morning.”
Blood rushed through my head, creating deafening white noise in my ears. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. Alexis wasn’t done. “The riders we have spoken to have made it perfectly clear that if it wasn’t for your Knighton sponsored horse, you wouldn’t have even made it to a five-star event, never mind a tour.”
“But you’re pretty, exotic even,” Camille said, her French accent wrapping around the vowels. “And Jasper Knighton has a weakness for pretty, exotic things.” She shrugged nonchalantly. “I should know. I was that for him too once.”
“Hallie is one of the best riders in the world and you bitches are just jealous,” Sage said.
I wanted to scream, I wanted to tell them to eat shit and die, but their words had paralyzed me. I never thought it would bother me if people thought I got to where I was in any way but through talent, but right now, it felt like they’d burrowed into my soul and put my biggest insecurity on display for everyone to judge.
I said nothing, but Sage jumped to her feet. She held the bottle of champagne. I saw our security guards begin to approach. “Get the fuck out before I smash this over your butt-ugly faces.”
Jake jumped to his feet. “Alexis, Camille, let’s go. You’ve done your damage.” Jake walked toward the exit without looking back. How had he just sat there like that and let them say this shit?
Sage stepped forward, and I honestly believed she was going to strike them with the glass bottle in her hands. As the guards reached the table, Alexis waved them off like they were nothing. She got to her feet, as did Camille, and smoothed her dress down like she hadn’t sat at our table just to shred me—and I think threaten me too.
“He’ll tire of you soon enough,” Camille said. “He always does. You’re not the first pretty face that’s caught his eye. You certainly won’t be the last. He’ll cast you aside. You’ll lose your sponsorship, and without a horse that can do everything for you, you’ll be back at auntie’s equestrian center in Florida, watching those of us with talent conquer the world while you’re teaching eight-year-olds how to trot.”
“I’m not with Jasper,” I eventually said, some bite in my tone.
Camille smiled. “Of course you’re not, Cherie.” She walked away.
“See you in a few days,” Alexis said, and left too. I remained seated, stunned.
Sage sat down beside me. “You okay?” she said, searching my face. Lowering her voice, she said, “They have no evidence. That picture was innocent.” I nodded, but I was taking nothing in. I never thought I’d care if rumors started about me, but hearing other riders on the circuit were saying it too made me feel sick. Like every clear I had achieved so far meant nothing.
“Hallie,” Sage said, sternly. “You’re a fucking amazing rider. Do not let those hags make you think otherwise. They’re jealous. And it’s not Huxley that makes you a good rider. It’s you.”
“I know,” I said, but without conviction.
In this moment, I felt like that little raggedy ranch girl again, looking at an unattainable dream I never knew I had. I had fought tooth and nail to get where I was, but now with a few rumors, all that was diminished?
I hadn’t realized Sage had spoken to our guards until she came back to the table. “Our car is outside. We’re going home.”
I didn’t argue.
As we sat in the car, Sage tried to talk to me, but I shut down. We’d been careful, right? That picture was innocent enough, like Sage had said. “She said someone has been saying he sneaks into my room at night.”
Sage rolled her eyes. “She doesn’t know shit. Anyone could pluck that accusation out of their ass without proof. She had nothing concrete. She’s just trying to fuck with you, with our team, in any way she can.”