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 laughed but then hugged him too. I was proud of him. “You’re not sorry in the slightest, but congratulations anyway.”
Then he moved to Sage. She was raging. “Miller,” Atticus said, smiling, all his teeth showing.
“Atticus,” she said tightly, and Atticus’s face lit up. I shook my head. At least Sage was being civil in front of Leon and Jasper.
The organizers came over and led us to the podium. Atticus waved at the crowd as we walked past them. I smiled and waved too, but it all felt surreal.
When the interviewers came over, we talked of how we found the course, and just how successful a competition it was for Golden Oaks Stud, with us taking the top three positions. When an interviewer asked Sage, “And what do you think of how well your teammates have done, Sage?”
Sage’s smile was wide and obviously fake to anyone who knew her well. “I already knew Hallie was amazing,” she said, and I flicked a glance at Atticus to see his expectant grin aimed at my friend. “And . . .” Sage said through clenched teeth, “Atticus is one of the best riders I’ve ever seen. He deserved today’s win.”
“Wow. High praise indeed,” the interviewer said. As soon as we were free Sage quickly walked off. Atticus began flirtatiously whispering into our interviewer’s ear, making her blush, ignoring my defeated best friend.
I searched around me, looking for Jasper, but I only found Leon. I walked to my trainer, who hugged me to his side. “That was a hell of a start, Hallie,” he said, which made me beam. Leon wasn’t very forthcoming with compliments or affection, so for him this was practically euphoric.
“Thank you,” I said, but I searched all around us again. Clearly noticing who I was looking for, Leon said, “Jas had to leave.” He motioned to all the cameras, members of the press, and the professional riders milling around us. “The vultures were circling.”
“Oh, I wasn’t . . .” I tried to say. But when Leon was pulled aside by another newspaper for comment, I realized whatever was happening between Jasper and me had clearly not escaped his eagle eye. The man was known to pick up on the finest details of the sport, so it made sense that he’d seen something between us.
But what that something was . . . I had no idea.
“Hallie,” Leon said as I made my way to the stalls after Sage. “Remember the team dinner tonight to talk strategy for tomorrow.” I nodded. I had completely forgotten. Tomorrow, the Knighton Cavaliers competed in the team event. As I arrived at our aisle, Huxley was already washed down and enjoying a large hay net. Sage was chatting with Dillon Matthews from Team USA, and every rider I passed shook my hand in congratulations.
Ducking into Huxley’s stall, I dropped to the ground and closed my eyes. I had done it. I couldn’t believe it. Huxley finished his food and turned his head toward me, lowering his head so I could stroke his face. “You’re such a superstar, baby boy,” I said, kissing his blaze. Huxley snorted as though he was telling me that he knew it. I smiled but found my happiness fall just a touch.
Jasper had come out from the private box to watch me. But now he was gone, without even a goodbye, and I had no idea when I’d see him again.
Getting to my feet, I dusted the sawdust off my white breeches and went to meet Sage. We had a dinner tonight, and a team event to win tomorrow.
I had to put Jasper from my head.
I just wished I knew how.
Chapter Fifteen
Jasper
“Jas, we’re fine. Henry is fine. Dahlia is good. She’s healed well. She’s safe in her new stable block. There’ve been no developments with Phillip, the security you’ve hired is working out, and nothing of consequence has occurred,” Forrest said as I called him for the third time in forty-eight hours. “Now, piss off and go do something other than stalk me.” He paused. “You do realize we’ve dominated so far this weekend, yeah? You should be celebrating with my little brother. He’s no doubt up to his usual debauchery.”
“I know,” I said. But since my night with Hallie—which absolutely could be classed as debauched—I’d been doing anything but. I recalled the many meetings that have taken up my time in the days since I’d been here. As much as my head hadn’t been in them, I’d walked away with several new contracts for Knighton Equestrian as well as many inquiries into the stud. Huxley, Barnaby, and Seraphina all delivering this weekend had only increased interest in our horses.
“Our team is riding in an hour. Why aren’t you at the arena?” I stared out the window that overlooked downtown Doha. I could see the arena lit up in the distance. The team event was being held tonight. I hadn’t gone to the dinner with Leon and the riders last night. I fucking couldn’t. If I was even close to Hallie, I wouldn’t be able to stay away from her. So I’d eaten room service alone and tried to work out what the hell to do about her.