Crossing the Line

Chapter 15: Classic

The next morning, I went through my daily work routine normally. After my shift, Tristan had me working dressage. It was more difficult than I remembered and the movements were frustrating me. After messing up for the fifth time, I grunted and set the reins down.

“Just take a deep breath and relax Holly. You’re trying to think about it too hard. Just relax and let Pepper do all the work,” Tristan instructed from the gate of the arena. I closed my eye and breathed deeply. I opened my eyes and ran through the routine again. He was right. Pepper knew exactly what he was doing. I barely had to guide him at all; Pepper already knew it by heart. I smiled after we finished a perfect routine. Tristan walked up and held his hand out for me to help me get off. After I dismounted, I hugged him tightly. He chuckled and hugged me back just as tightly.

“I told you that you’d get it. You’re a natural,” he mumbled near my ear. I laughed and let go. I rolled my eyes. Technically, Pepper was a natural. He spun me around in another hug. I giggled as he set me down.

“Hey Tristan… Holly; I guess practice is going well,” I heard a familiar voice say as I turned back to Pepper. Crap. I closed my eyes and sighed as I mounted Pepper again.

“It’s going great Crys,” I smiled fakely at her. She couldn’t have picked a worst time to show up. I trotted to the middle of the arena and started the routine over again as Crys talked to Tristan. The conversation didn’t look that serious but Crystal kept peeking at me from out of the corner of her eye. I just ignored her. Finally, she left. I gave Tristan a curious look and walked Pepper over to him.

“What was she saying?” I asked. His electric blue eyes watched me.

“Just that she wanted to get married in the next two years or so and she thought it was nice of me to help you with your training,” he repeated.

“In other words, she doesn’t want to take any chances and she thinks that I’m a threat to her,” I deciphered. He shrugged and held Pepper as I dismounted. I sighed and walked to the barn. After Pepper was put up, I drove home. Like I was expecting, Crystal was waiting up for me. She was there as soon as I walked into my room. I sighed quietly and smiled fakely.

“Hello Crys,” I said as I put my stuff on my bed next to her.

“Hi… when did Tristan start helping you with your training?” she asked, getting straight to the point. I headed to my closet and rolled my eyes.

“Since I started,” I answered truthfully. She followed me and leaned against the door as I picked out some sweatpants and a tight t-shirt. “Why?” I continued.

“It just seems like you’ve been… spending a lot of time with him, and honestly… I don’t like it,” Crystal answered. I clenched my jaw and walked past her into my room.

“He’s just a friend Crys. A friend who happens to think I have a chance at winning the Classic; a friend who volunteered to help me train; a friend who was my friend before yours; and a friend who’s marrying my sister,” I said through clenched teeth. I sighed and went downstairs to grab something to eat. I warmed up some leftover pasta and headed back up to my room. Crystal was gone. She was finally leaving me alone. I sighed gratefully and ate my pasta in peace. I was surprised to hear the door open and close. Voices trailed up to my ears. I knew that voice only too well. It was Tristan. I set my pasta down and slowly walked down the stairs. Crystal’s back was towards me, but Tristan saw me. He quickly looked back to Crystal so that her attention wouldn’t be diverted. I crossed my arms when I started hearing what she was saying.

“…stop training Holly. It just… it feels weird, and I don’t like it,” Crystal was saying. I leaned against the wall on the stairs. I laughed humorlessly once, bringing Crystal’s attention to me.

“You’re unbelievable Crys,” I mumbled. She looked at me shocked. I rolled my eyes and finished the walk down the stairs. “I’m going to train for the Classic; and I’m going to choose who I want to train with. As I’ve repeated many times now, you don’t control my life. You’re not even the major part of it, so stay out of my life and start worrying about your own.” I stormed up the stairs and slammed the door to my room. I immediately started pacing. I ran my fingers through my hair and sighed. I needed to calm down, but it was kind of hard to do when you’re secret boyfriend and his fiancée were downstairs probably talking about you. I changed into some shorts and grabbed my keys. I walked down the stairs and headed for the door.

“Where are you going?” Crystal asked.  I continued walking and didn’t even look her way.

“Out,” I muttered loud enough for her to hear. I slammed the door behind me and headed for my car. Tristan’s car was blocking mine. I grunted and started walking. I didn’t know where I planned on going, but I ended up at the giant oak tree in the nearby park. I paced underneath it with fists balled. Crystal just got under my skin sometimes. I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair. This wasn’t going to work with Crystal over my shoulder the whole time. I sighed and closed my eyes. After about five minutes of thinking under the oak tree, I walked back home. Tristan and Crystal were still talking in the living room. I walked in front of them and crossed my arms.

“Fine Crys, we’ll do it your way. I won’t train with Tristan after work anymore,” I said. Crystal looked pleased and Tristan looked shocked. I kept my face emotionlessly. I had a plan, but I would have to tell Tristan later. Crystal smiled.

“Thank you Holls,” she agreed. I rolled my eyes and went up to my room. After closing the door, I changed into a neon pink sports bra and black track shorts. I laid on my bed and flipped through channels. My door opened a few minutes later. I didn’t bother with looking at who it was.

“Go away Crys,” I replied automatically. A deep chuckle caught my attention. I looked over and saw Tristan. My eyes grew wide. I sat up and faced him.

“What are you doing here?” I whispered. “What if Crys sees you?” He smiled and shrugged. His smile disappeared as he started in on what he wanted to say.

“We’re not training anymore? Who’s going to help you train?” he asked quietly.

“You are,” I smiled deviously. He looked confused. “I promised her that we wouldn’t train after work; I didn’t say anything about before work.” I stood up and crossed my arms over my bare stomach. He smiled and shook his head.

“You are good,” he said. I nodded and kissed him once before I started pushing him out of my room.

“Now go before Crystal sees you,” I smiled. He left without another word. I sighed and plopped down on my bed. After I turned the TV and light off, I went to sleep.