Page 65 of Told You So
“Perfect.” I clap my hands together and lean forward on the couch. My palms are itching to hold the rectangle controller in my hand again.
Reilly does the same, elbows resting on his knees. “Seriously though, why didn’t you call me?” he asks more quietly, and I wonder if he’s even a little hurt.
“It’s nothing personal,” I tell him. I’m not in the mood to have another heart-to-heart today. “I’m trying not to think about it right now, Rye. That’s all. It’s hard for me to wrap my mind around, you know?”
I don’t look at him, but see him nod from the corner of my eye. “Yeah, I figured as much. That’s why we showed up, even if all I do is whoop your ass in Tetris.”
“Tetris! My day just got even better.”
With a no-mercy expression, Reilly hands me a controller. “Shall we get to it then?”
“Hell. Yeah.”
Thirty-Three
Nick
“I can’t believe you’re doing this, Nick.” Sam’s voice is one of awe and surprise as she puts Shasta’s halter on in the stall across from me. “Are you sure you don’t want to ask for a rain check? You’ve sorta got a lot going on right now. Maybe you’re not thinking clearly.”
“Thanks, Sam, but I’m sure. The last thing I want to do is dwell on my parents’ shit.”
“So you’re just going to ignore it?”
“Trying to,” I tell her, peering over Target’s mane. “Someone keeps bringing it up.”
“Fine. Sorry. I just can’t believe you’re actually going to ride.”
I lead Target out of his stall and follow Sam and Shasta to the hitching post. “I can’t say I’m all that excited about it,” I admit. The horses’ hooves clomp against the cement floor, a familiar sound that fills at least two of my workdays every week.
“Shasta will be fine with Jesse in the arena. You don’t have to physically get on a horse.”
“I have to do this,” I tell her. “I want to.” I’m determined to conquer this fear I’ve had for the last ten-plus years; a seemingly small and insignificant one compared to the hurdles Jesse has to face each and every day. And maybe I’m trying to prove to myself that I’m not like my mom; I don’t want fear to hold me back.
“But Target, of all horses?”
“You told me Target needed to be ridden, so, I’m doing you a favor.”
She runs her fingers through his dark mane. “He’s the wiliest of them all. I think you should start with training wheels, that’s all.”
“Keep talking, Sam. You’re really helping me relax.”
She snorts a laugh. “Good. You razz me all the time. It’s nice to dish out a little payback.”
Shaking my head, I give her what she wants, a smile. “Touché. Well, you’re going to get plenty of material today.” I head back to Trinity’s stall. Between my parents, Bethany on her way, and riding for the first time in forever, Sam will have plenty to divulge to the crew later.
When I slide the stall door open, Trinity’s tan and white head pops up and she walks toward me. “No food yet, girl,” I tell her and slide her halter on. It’s purple and bedazzled, like only Sarah, her owner, would do. “You do get a ride, though.”
Trinity follows me out of her stall, the lead rope draped around her neck instead of in my hand, and we make our way toward the other horses at the post. Today is going to be interesting, and although I know how to ride, I’m still anxious about doing it. Call it an irrational fear after falling off as a kid, but the last thing I want to do is look like an ass in front of Bethany and Jesse, especially after the drunken state she saw me in the other night. Other than a text to confirm she’s coming, I haven’t talked to her since.
Sam picks up the horse’s hooves to give them a quick check. “Shoes look good.” She pats Trinity’s rump. “You know, this might go without saying, but it’s strange seeing you and Bethany together.”
“Yeah? Well, we’re not together. I think you know things between us are a little more complicated than that.”
“Do I?”
“We’re just friends, Sam.”
“Right. Well, it could be worse, I guess. I’ll get some carrots.”
