Right Next To Me

Chapter 4 I am going.

Chapter 4  ~ I am going.

“Ready to go?” Derek asked. He looks like a god in his riding outfit.

“Yup. Are you going to play polo today?” I asked back. Hopefully, he did not notice me checking him out.  I was walking a few steps behind him thinking to myself how he had a great body, beautiful face and great personality.

“I might. Hope you don’t mind. “He said looking sheepishly at me. “I promised the boys I would join if they lacked a player. Antoine did not show up yesterday so I stepped in.”

“Oh , don’t worry about me. I would ride a few or maybe just watch you guys. I haven’t been on the saddle for like six  months now. Ian was being a killjoy. He would not allow me to ride after I broke my arm.”

“Typical Ian. He worries about you a lot, you know. “ He casually mentioned. That stopped me on my tracks. Derek is in contact with Ian? Since when? And they talk about me?

I noticed Derek was nearing the jeep so I hurriedly followed him. I cannot bring myself to ask him these questions during the short ride.

~*~ 

The country club was still deserted when we got there. People are still probably sleeping in or they have not arrived for the summer. We headed to the stables. I got Aunt Lily’s horse and Derek got his own horse.

I am still wondering how Derek and Ian can still be in contact and I was not aware of it. Since our parents died in a car crash when I was eleven and Ian was seventeen, we moved to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and lived with our maternal grandparents. When Ian went to university, I was sent to a boarding school. That was probably when I got out of touch.

I immersed myself in sports and other school activities to deaden the pain of losing my parents and being thrown into a cold, hollow place away from my brother, my only family.

“Hey, man. What’s up?”. I heard Derek say to someone.

I whipped round and saw him high fiving another polo player.  “Cate, meet Henrik.”. Derek said motioning for me to come forward.

Henrik did not hide the way he looked me up and down, obviously appraising me. I guess he liked what he saw as flashed me his dazzling smile. I noticed a glint of appreciation in his eyes. Henrik is good looking and buff. A movie star material.  Next to Derek though, he pales in comparison.

Henrik and I exchanged pleasantries until the stable hand called my attention and I had to leave the two men.

“We are one man down. Antoine bailed again. He said he is busy assisting his fiancée on their wedding preparations.” I heard Henrik say to Derek. "Can you leave your pretty lady behind today and practice with us? I will be on the field too, so you need not worry about me stealing her away from you.”

I saw from my peripheral vision that Derek glanced at my direction.

Derek jogged up to me, “You need to play?”. I asked him.

“Yeah.  I hope you don’t mind.” He said looking apprehensive.

“No, not at all. Go on, enjoy. I know this place like the back of my hand.” I said to him giving my warmest smile. I did not mind at all if he cannot join me.

I was actually worried he would just see me embarrass myself. I haven’t ridden in a long time. I might fall or not be able to control the horse. I was not used to Aunt Lily’s horse after all. I have made a fool of myself before in front of Derek. I do not think my image would survive if he sees me fall flat on my back off the horse. Or worse, fall flat on my face. That would be too embarrassing.

He smiled. “Thanks, Cate. I’ll catch up with you later?”. He said looking hopeful.

“Sure.” I said. “You could easily spot me on the arena.  I will be the one looking like a scared, untrained cow girl.” I said slightly chuckling.

“You never forget riding. It is just like riding a bicycle. You never forget them. You got this.” He said slapping me on the back. I tried to hide my grimace.

Did he just slap my back like I am one of the boys?  Before I could even process, my thought was disrupted by the blaring of the horns signaling the start of practice.

“Go.” I said pushing him towards the exit. He gave me one last smile before sauntering off to his horse.  In one swift motion, he was up the horse and going away. “Remember, no show jumping stunts. “ He called out.

Sure thing, I thought. I knew I have to take this easy. Slow pace, slow pace. I have not done this a long time. I sighed. I mounted up and was about to ride away when my path was blocked by a semi-naked young man.

Aunt Lily’s horse must have been as surprised as me because it started rearing, rising up on its hind legs. I panicked but held on tight, trying to rein in the startled horse. I was doing my best not to trample the guy, who got stuck dumb on the raging horse’s path.

“Easy, boy, easy.” I coaxed the horse holding onto the reins. There is no way I will be thrown off a horse again. I thought.

The young man finally moved out of the way. The horse stopped rearing.

“I am so sorry.” The semi naked guy said, holding up his hands like he was surrendering. I just noticed he was panting heavily. “This is clearly not my day.”

“Yeah. I think so, too. You almost got trampled.” I said matter of factly, scowling at him.

“Do me a favor. Go home, get a shirt and stay away from horses.” I added sounding irritated. I almost fell again and I was not even jumping. I hate being caught off guard like that.

“And I’ll do just that.” He said while looking around and behind him like someone was after him.

“Are you a fugitive or something?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at him.

“What? No!”. He answered too quickly, shaking his head. The horse was getting impatient, “Ok, if you say so. “ I said and nudged the horse to go.

“Wait, I’m Seth. What’s your name?”

I rolled my eyes. I am so not in the mood to be nice right now. “I am going.”

And the horse galloped away.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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