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)
Jasper walked out of the tack room and headed for the practice ring. I took a deep breath. “You’ll do great,” Ben said.
“You look incredible on him,” Mila said also.
“Thanks, guys,” I said, and clicked my tongue for Henry to move.
Once we had left the safety and privacy of our private section of the stalls, I heard the gasps and whispers coming from the staff around us. “It’s Lord Henry.” I saw their disbelief and excitement. I braced myself for the comments that would no doubt be thrown my way. I wouldn’t let anything bad penetrate today.
Henry’s head was high and it made me smile, but nerves ran like rapids through me, the more notice we attracted. I had banked on attention, but this was on another level. Then again, I didn’t know what I’d expected. Henry had been my dream horse growing up; it stood to reason he was most other riders’ too. People believed Jasper had retired him, and here I was, bringing him back. It was bound to raise eyebrows.
Jasper was waiting at the warm-up ring with Leon. He watched me approach, and Leon opened the gate. Sage and Atticus were cantering around, Sage coming to a stop beside me when I entered.
The other riders in the ring were staring. “Oh, this is fun,” Sage said, watching all the awestruck expressions.
“Walk beside me for a while,” I said to Sage. “I don’t want to be gawked at on my own.”
We began walking around the ring, only for Camille Dubois to trot up to us. “Not fucking him, hey?” she said, turning her nose up at me. “You tried to be so convincing too,” she said. “Well played, I suppose.” She shrugged. “You fuck so well that you gained the best horse in the process.” She laughed. “I’m impressed.”
Camille went to trot off when Sage said, “How many Grand Prix have you won this season so far, Camille?”
Camille scowled at my best friend, and I held back a laugh. “Thought so,” Sage sang. Camille cantered off angrily, leaving me numb from her barb. She pulled up next to Jake McGowen, who was glaring our way. They talked in low whispers, but I could imagine what they were saying. And oh, goody, Alexis was watching me from behind the barrier.
Let them fucking look.
“Cunts,” Sage said. Then turned to me. “Remember, you have earned your place here, Hallie. The best thing you can do is go out there and kick ass. That’ll shut the haters up.” Sage glared at Camille, who was still shooting me death stares. “Jealousy makes even the most attractive people ugly.”
We approached where Jasper and Leon were standing ringside. Jasper caught my attention. “What did she say to you?” His voice was cold, like the Jasper I first met.
“That I’ve fucked my way to the top, the same old, same old.” Jasper’s jaw clenched. But his eyes were narrowed on McGowen et al.
He took out his phone, and I heard him say to someone, “Tail McGowen and Dubois. I don’t like the way they’re watching Hallie.” He was so overprotective, and I loved that side of him.
“Head down and carry on,” Leon said, making me refocus. “Warm him up, ignore the noise, and pop him over the practice fences.” I nodded and took Henry out to the rail.
I was riding last today in the timed individual, which no doubt would piss off people even more. But I did as Leon said and shut out the noise. As I kept Henry warm, I visualized the course. I pictured us getting a clear round.
I pictured us winning. There was something in the air today, I could feel it.
Camille and Jake probably thought they were getting to me by saying those things. But the joke was on them—their shitty comments were only fuel to my fire.
A half hour later, I winced, watching the big screen as Sage came out of the ring with four faults. She’d knocked down a pole on the second-to-last fence. “Next time,” I said when she returned, and Sage just nodded her head.
Atticus made good time as always, and then Camille got a clear too. Jake McGowen was jumping before me. Jasper stood beside me in the tunnel and watched his rival with venom in his expression. I completed my prejump ritual—chin strap, girth, and water—before smoothing the front of my new jacket.
“Give him lots of rein,” Jasper said, as we watched Jake soar over the fences. “Make sure to give him enough room on the tight corners; he’s a big horse and needs that extra space. He’ll make up the lost time on the approach and over the fence. Give him extra leg on the oxers and keep him steady through the triple. He can get too excited and rush if you’re not careful.” I smiled. We’d been through all these points at practice this week. But I loved Jasper for making sure I was prepared.