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)
I took a deep breath and stopped myself from losing my shit about Alexis in public, but I was thinking exactly the same thing. Instead, I just nodded at my friend, silently telling him I agreed.
“I’ll warn Dad to keep a closer eye on her and any business that’s done. I might not have proof of anything, but my gut is telling me to be suspicious,” Spencer said.
“Agreed,” I said. I squeezed Spencer’s arm. “Thankfully you both compete on mares, and they weren’t targeted with the drugs.”
“Thank God,” Lucy said. “That would have really tipped Dad over the edge. He’s a veritable Inspector Clouseau at the minute, Jas. His office looks like a police wall with all the suspects he’s putting together.”
That made me chuckle. But Tim was a good man. He was tenacious and driven, a good person to have on the scent for whoever was targeting other studs, including my own.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” Spencer said, turning the conversation to something happier. He pointed over at the table where Hallie and Sage were sat. The feisty cowgirl still hadn’t seen me. “We’ve been speaking to Hallie and Sage.” Spencer smiled. “They’re excellent riders. They seem like great people too.”
“True, but I’m kind of scared to go up against them,” Lucy admitted, and I laughed. Lucy was thirty-five, and Spencer was my age. They were seasoned jumping professionals and regular winners in the Grand Prix circuits, but any rider would be lying if they said they didn’t fear a new, younger—better—rider joining the tour. The fact was, the Grand Prix prize money made rivals out of everyone. One could become very wealthy in one season if they were talented enough.
“They’re brilliant,” I said, referring to Hallie and Sage, and stared across the dance floor at Hallie. As if she could feel my stare, she tore her attention away from Sage and searched the crowd. Her glass of champagne stilled en route to her mouth as her eyes met mine. Just like earlier, my body immediately heated, and all I could hear was her moaning my name in the shower.
Hallie’s eyes widened and she swallowed deeply. Sage followed the trail of whatever had garnered her best friend’s attention, and a cocky smirk pulled on her mouth when she saw me stood here like a fucking stalker.
That smirk reminded me so much of Atticus’s, and I wondered why those two weren’t as thick as thieves instead of being mortal enemies. Together, they’d be a fucked-up, impossible-to-deal-with team.
“Jas?” I tore my attention from Hallie and turned to Lucy again. “Make sure you keep them from the vultures, yes?” Lucy said. She nudged her head at Alexis again, along with some of the cronies that trailed along in her wake. “You know what they can be like with new blood.”
“I hear you,” I said, the reminder to keep my distance slapping me around the face.
“Let’s have dinner while you’re out here,” Spencer said. “I’ve missed your ugly mug. It’s not the same on the tour without you. There’s no one here who makes me look more of a novice than you. I’m looking positively professional now.” He shook his head. “It doesn’t feel right.”
I placed my hand on Spencer’s shoulder and said, “You ride just fine. But definitely, we’ll set up that meal. It’ll be good to catch up.” I saw the flicker of more questions in Spencer’s gaze. But he was a good friend and would never push me to open up if I didn’t want to. I shared the most with him, Tim, and Lucy out of everyone here. Many of the other riders were acquaintances at best. Some, I didn’t know at all but for a passing hello.
“I don’t believe it!” Leon came to stand beside me, slapping me on the back good-naturedly, then shook hands with Spencer.
Spencer winked at me. “I promise, in your absence I haven’t been offering Leon an extortionate amount of money to leave Golden Oaks and come up north to work for me instead,” he said. I laughed, but I also knew there wasn’t a horse owner or stud farm in this room who wouldn’t murder me to get a chance at having Leon in their employ.
“He’s family,” I said about Leon. “You don’t fuck with family. Especially mine,” I said, jokingly, but rose my voice a little when I said those words, just in case whoever was taking it upon themselves to try to hurt us was nearby.
“On that note,” Spencer said, but leaned in and hugged me. “Don’t be a stranger, Jas. I’m sick of talking to your voicemail.” That made me suddenly feel like shit, and I made a promise to myself to be better with those who genuinely cared for me.
“I promise,” I said, and my friends walked away.
Atticus’s attention was suddenly swayed by a woman in blue, and he stepped away from me and Leon. I turned toward my friend to try to ward off any unwanted guests. Leon leaned in close. “I’m proud of you. Putting yourself back out there like this.” He frowned. “Is that a weird thing for me to say?”