Crossing the Line

Chapter 14: Competition

I woke on the familiar navy couch in Tristan's house. There was something cold on my head. I sat up and looked around confused. How long was I out? I heard music coming from upstairs. Tossing the blanket off of me, I followed the music up to Tristan’s room. I stood in the doorway. Tristan’s back was towards me as he stood and looked out of his window at the moon. I closed the distance between us and wrapped my arms around his waist, resting my head on his back. The music was still playing softly in the background. He sighed.

“Are you feeling any better?” he asked quietly, still watching the moon. I closed my eyes and nodded against his back. He turned to face me and kissed me before he sat on the edge of his bed.

“I’ll drive you home,” he sighed softly, putting his shoes on. I knelt beside him and stopped his hands.

“I don’t want to go home yet,” I said hoarsely. He ran his hand against his face and sighed.

“Everyone’s probably looking for you Holly,” he argued. I shrugged and crawl over him to the other side of his bed. I curled up on my side and watched him. “I just don’t care anymore.” I added softly. He saw that I wasn’t giving in and laid beside me.

You’re going to be the death of me Holly Atkins,” he mumbled happily. He kissed my nose and I snuggled into him. He kissed my hair and rubbed my back. “I love you Holly.” He muttered. The corners of my mouth pulled up in a small sad smile.

“I love you too Tristan,” I replied.

The next morning, I got my car from Ridgeway before I went home. I tip-toed up the stairs and to my room. Crystal was sitting on my bed; waiting for me. I sighed and put my stuff down at my desk.

“Where have you been?” Crystal asked. I started getting my clothes ready for a shower. “Holly… why do you smell like Tristan favorite cologne?” she asked unsurely walking closer to me. I sighed.

“I stayed at Kristen’s house up until yesterday afternoon because her parents are doctors. I passed out at work while I was taking a trail ride yesterday. Tristan found me and took me to his house. I just woke up this morning. I guess the smell just stuck on me,” I lied. “I told you I wasn’t feeling well.” I coughed for emphasis and laid my clothes out on my bed.

“Why are you and Tristan so close?” Crystal asked timidly. “Did you know we’re engaged now?” She added matter-of-factly. I laughed humorlessly.

“Yeah, I know. He’s still my friend Crys. Whether you like it or not, he will always be my friend. I know him a lot better than you even because you haven’t taken the time out to actually get to know him, inside and out, before you proposed. Why would you propose? Did it not speak volumes that he didn’t propose yet? Did you ever thing that maybe he wasn’t ready to get married?” I asked.

“I do know Tristan. I proposed because I thought it was the right time. We’re not going to get married right away, but I know he’s the one I want to marry,” she said. I watched her intensely.

“Don’t rush him because you think its right. You don’t know anything Crys. Stop being so naïve and learn to grow up. Not everything is going to be about you. Everyone doesn’t work on your clock,” I said sternly before I took a quick shower, dressed, and headed to work. I went through the morning rounds a little angrily, but by the time I finished, I was feeling better. I grabbed my tack and saddled Ginger. Tristan walked through and gave me a knowing look.

“The lake; I don’t want to talk about it here,” I said quietly. I trotted off and paced at the lake. Tristan was only a few minutes behind me. As soon as his feet touched the ground, I told him what happened this morning. He sighed and rubbed the back of his head.

“What should I say if she asks me about being ready for… that?” Tristan asked a bit unsurely.

“Say that I’m right,” I answered with no hesitation. “Tell her that she’s rushing you into a big and permanent decision that doesn’t need to be made right now. Tell her that you’re not ready, but only if she asks, which I’m pretty sure she will.” I answered. Tristan kissed me quickly and held me.

“When you disappeared last week after I told you, who were you mad at the most?” he asked quietly. I sighed and rested my head on his chest.

“Crystal,” I answered after a while. “I was just mad at her for ruining everything. If she means it or not, she always ends up interfering with my life, and it’s starting to get old,” I explained. He nodded.

“We should get back,” Tristan suggested after a few peaceful seconds. I sighed and held onto him tighter.

“I don’t want to go,” I whispered. He sighed.

“Me neither,” he answered softly. He kissed me gently and I forgot, for that brief second, that my life was in ruins. “You know, you should really go for the Lexington Classic,” Tristan said changing the subject. I chuckled. Tristan was talking about the three-day eventing show that was coming up in a month. I pulled back and raised my eyebrow.

“I’m not good enough to enter with those competitors. They’re… higher ranking than me. I’d never win,” I shook my head. He held my face and kissed my forehead.

“You’re a natural babe,” he chuckled. “You would take first effortlessly.” He smiled. I smiled as well and rolled my eyes.

“Okay, it’s a little late to start training though, isn’t it?” I asked, hoping the answer was yes. He shook his head.

“Not at all; I’ll help you train. Plus, that gives me an excuse to spend more time with you,” he smiled. I laughed.

“We already spend every day together,” I smiled. He shrugged.

“More or less,” he joked. I laughed and ran my fingers through my hair.

“We should probably get back to our shift so we can start our training today,” I said pushing him back playfully. We mounted the horses and rode back to the ranch. After a long day of training and work, I asked Barrie, the owner, if it would be okay for me to enter and train for the Classic. He agreed to let me train after my shift whenever I wanted. I would be riding Pepper, a dapple gray champion who was used to the vigorous work that was needed to compete in three-day eventing. Tristan would train me. We got to work right away. For the first few, we just conditioned both Pepper and me. We strengthened our muscles and built our stamina for the races. By the second week of practice, we conditioned so much that my curves trimmed up noticeably. I was down to my hip bones and ribs. Crystal definitely noticed when I came home one day and took off my blue jean jacket.

“Hey Holls; have you been working out? You look trimmer,” Crystal pointed out. I chuckled slightly and nodded.

“Yeah, I’ve been putting in extra training for the Classic,” I confirmed. She looked at me confused.

“You’re entering the Classic? Since when?” she asked. I thought about saying “since Tristan said I would win it”.

“A few weeks ago,” I answered instead. She smiled and followed me up to my room.

“So that’s what you’ve been coming home late for? Why didn’t you tell us?” she asked. I shrugged. I was exhausted.

“Because it's none of your business,” I said my final words before I kicked her out of my room politely and passed out on my bed.