Born In The Saddle - Quicksilver Stud - Book 1 (#wattys2016)

Chapter 20

There was no sign of Connor for the rest of the day. I passed through the stud yard several times, and scanned the paddocks, but there didn't seem to be any sign of him. Either he'd gone home early or he was seriously good at hide and seek.

At just after six I slumped in the common room and glowered up at the ceiling.

'What's got you in a mood? You've been stomping around all afternoon.' Amber asked, coming to sit on the arm of the sofa, Twix in hand. I huffed loudly but pulled myself up so I could look her in the eye.

'Connor asked me out.' I said moodily. 'But then Matt turned up and ruined everything.' Although from the look on Amber's face I don't think she heard the bit about Matt.

'Connor asked you out?!' She squealed in delight. 'I knew it. I knew he liked you. This is so awesome.'

'No, not awesome. A mess. Matt turned up and ruined it.'

'Matt? Who's Matt?'

'Uurrrghhhh!' I groaned heavily and sunk back into the squishy furniture. Reminding her about my ex boyfriend I then told her how he'd threatened to tell my mum everything.

'You still haven't told your mum?!' She said reproachfully.

'No. Everytime she calls I try to force myself to just do it. Say the words. Everytime I chicken out.'

Amber was understandably annoyed with me for lying to Clay about mum knowing, but she at least understood why I'd done it. Riding was her biggest love aswell and she'd be just as scared that someone might take it away from her.

'You need to come clean with her.'

'I know. But what if she stops me Amber? And it'll hurt her that I'm riding again. I just can't do it.'

'She'll find out at some point won't she......because you're not going to stop, are you....'

'No.'

'Good. So, better it comes from you than someone else.'

I knew Amber was right but suddenly the sound of a car door slamming stole my attention. It was Connor. He was stood by the side of his dark green Land Rover, hastily changing his boots for a pair of trainers. Without a word to Amber I rushed out the door just as he was climbing into the driver's seat.

'Connor!' I called. I could see him hesitate, clearly deciding whether to just shut the door and ignore me or not. Thankfully he didn't - though he didn't look at me either.

'Hey, I just wanted to explain - about earlier.'

'Oh. Really.' He said flatly.

'Matt is not my boyfriend Connor. He's my ex.'

'Uh-huh. So he came all the way up from London to visit his ex?'

He didn't believe me. That was clear from his tone never mind his words.

'No, he's staying in Sheffield with his dad. That's the only reason he came.'

'Uh-huh.'

'You don't believe me do you?'

'I have to get going.'

'But I'm telling the truth.' Briefly he flicked his eyes at me before returning them to inside the Land Rover.

'Ok.' He replied blandly.

'Ok? So you believe me?'

'Sure.' He said, though his answer seemed to lack any kind of conviction. But what else could I do?