Zailey (Sequel) ✔️

Part Thirty One

Thanks to attempting to pay my own bills with my first pay, I found myself with $130 in my account by Thursday.
With one hundred dollars to Kylie, in an attempt to help her, plus two hundred dollars to Phoenix's Agistment and feed, plus forty bucks for phone credit, I realised just how much wasn't left by the end.
No wonder adults stress over money so much.
Their bill's must be so much worse.
I already knew I wouldn't need to get credit every week, it's only usually once a month.
Plus, this was the largest Phoenix's weekly bill would be, considering he'd needed his Agistment paid, plus hay and hard feed, along with a farrier visit.
What the hell would I do once I actually managed to get my P's and a car though?
I would at least need to pay for fuel...
I made a mental note to ask Zander or one of my brother's about the other costs of owning a car.
I chewed nervously on my lower lip as I stared at my phone screen that showed me my current bank balance.
Trying to be responsible sucks.
My phone screen changed to show me Zander's smiling face while my phone began to vibrate incessantly.
I slid my finger across the answer bar and put the phone onto speaker mode to solve having it pressed against my head.
"Hey."
I greeted, feeling an involuntary smile stretch my cheeks.
"Hey."
Zander's slightly deep, but slightly husky voice replied.
My heart damn near melted on the spot.
"Watcha up to?"
I asked, turning my gaze to look around my room.
This place could definitely do with a clean...
Zander sighed, as if he'd just gotten comfortable.
"Just got back from the Physio."
Oh yeah!
"How'd that go?"
I asked, pulling my focus back to my phone.
My bedroom can wait a minute.
"Yeah not too bad. Harder than last time coz she's decided to push me."
He sounded almost a little bitter about that factor.
"Well I'm sure she knows what she's doing."
I reasoned.
Besides, if this woman messed with Zander, she'd have a shit storm got on her tail once Jade and Zander's brother's found out about it...
"Probably, but it doesn't stop the fact that I feel half dead."
Zander replied.
I almost smiled.
Almost.
"That's just because you're working your strength back up."
I assured him.
Maybe it was a good thing this Physio lady was pushing him...
Zander sighed audibly.
"I know..."
I lifted my free hand to attempt to stifle my sudden, huge yawn.
"You sound tired."
Zander noted.
"I am..."
I agreed, feeling my exhausted body slump.
It was only something like 6pm though!
It was hardly sleep time in anybody's book!
"You should get some rest."
Zander suggested.
"I should take a shower and find something to eat."
I countered.
I haven't had dinner yet.
"Or that."
He agreed.
"I'll call you when I've done all that?"
I suggested.
"Okay Babe."
"Bye."
I told him.
"Bye."
He replied.
I ended the call and set my phone aside on my bed.
Looking across the room to my closed door, it seemed like way too much effort to drag myself up off my bed.
But I have to have dinner.
And a shower.
With a groan, I forced myself to crawl to the edge of my bed and place my feet on the carpet covered floor.
I was half way through my working week and two thirds of the way through my school week.
Just keep putting one foot in front of the other Bailey.
I coached myself.
I'd already been through one week of these crazy early starts, plus going and doing a whole day at school.
And the rest of my life's usual duties.
The other stable hands were assuring me I'd get used to it.
At the moment I wasn't too sure I'd ever achieve that.
Every day I was tired.
Every night I was asleep by latest about 8pm.
I stumbled my way up the stairs, deciding I should achieve that task and Dinner before I really didn't have the energy.

I was exhausted after work at the racehorse stables, then a day at school and finally an afternoon of a riding lesson and then taking care of Phoenix.
But I couldn't quite stop yet.
Zander would be here any minute to pick me up.
Curious about the commotion I could faintly hear going on, I made my way towards the stables.
Jodie looked concerned, but a little pissed off as she strode out of the open stables doors.
"What's going on?"
I asked, eyeing the people who had split off in varying directions, most of them in pair's if not small groups.
"Domino's out. Again."
Jodie told me, her lips pressed in a firm line.
I groaned.
"Seriously?"
At least twice a week the Warmblood seemed to be breaking free and taking himself for a run.
"Unfortunately."
Jodie sighed.
"I'd better get to finding him."
"I'll help."
I offered.
I'm pretty sure Zander will understand...
Jodie offered me a small smile.
"Thank you. You still seem to be the only one he hasn't broken away from."
I bit my lip in an effort to refrain from telling her that I suspected that was because people were being too rough with him.
"Unfortunately nobody yet seems to be certain of the exact way he went."
Jodie told me, striding towards the driveway.
"Though I hope he hasn't gone this way..."
She cast her gaze around the outlying land around us, keeping an eye out for the young horse.
Domino was such a tall horse, that really his jet black body should not stand a chance at hiding.
Though we couldn't spot him anywhere as we walked closer to the main driveway.
Uh oh...
Suddenly Jodie's mobile phone was ringing.
We both stopped walking and she fished it out of her pants pocket.
I watched her, waiting to see if it was somebody notifying her that they'd found Domino.
"Luke?"
Jodie asked a stable hand's name as she held the mobile against her ear.
A moment later she closed her eyes and lifted her free hand to pinch the bridge of her nose.
"Wonderful."
She muttered.
I badly wanted to ask her 'what', but bit my tongue because it was rude to try and speak to somebody who was on the phone.
"Keep looking."
Jodie told Luke.
Guess I had my answer anyway.
Shit.
Luke hasn't found Domino.
The slow, clomping sound of hooves made me turn around.
There shouldn't be anybody with a horse in this section of the-
I felt my eyes widen and my jaw drop.
Domino, with his jet black body, long lanky legs, three white socks and his shiny white star on his forehead, was walking up the driveway.
Beside him, was a guy who's head was just a few inches taller than Domino's wither's.
He was wearing board shorts and black, white and bright blue sand shoes, a light blue t-shirt covering his torso and a white hat was sitting atop his head, leaving the colour of his hair unidentified.
Although Zander was making physical progress daily since his accident, his right leg's stride was still a little shorter than the left.
And I'd recognise Zander Hunter anywhere.
"Jodie..."
I didn't want to shout, because although Zander and Domino were still a good sixty metres or so away, I didn't want to risk startling Domino and having the horse hurt Zander out of fear.
Jodie turned around to look in the direction I was and her green eyes widened.
"Oh my god!"
I started to walk forward, being careful to keep my strides slow but obvious.
When Jodie and I, Zander and Domino got within about twenty metres of each other, Domino hit the brakes and stood tall, raising his head high to observe his surroundings.
So stressed out...
I thought, my heart squeezing for the young horse.
Other than his childhood visits to his Uncle's farm, I was fairly certain Zander hasn't had much time at all around horses.
He's visited Phoenix with me a few times and I've even managed to get him to hold him or lead him a short distance.
But since the shark attack he hadn't been here other than to pick me up a few times.
To his credit, he just stopped his own steps and turned so that he faced Domino's towering form.
From our distance, I couldn't really here Zander's words but I was pretty sure he asked Domino 'really?' and I couldn't help but smile.
"Okay lets slowly move in and rescue the poor guy."
Jodie suggested.
"That poor guy is my boyfriend."
I explained.
Jodie's eyes widened.
"Really?"
I nodded.
Jodie smiled.
"No wonder he doesn't look like he's shitting himself too badly then!"
I almost laughed.
Almost.
We made our way closer, but kept our steps fairly slow, making sure Domino understood what was going on.
The horse began to shift on his hooves, no longer managing to stand still as we closed about the ten meter mark of space.
To Zander's credit, his hands remained pretty calm on the rope as Domino fidgeted about, his anxiety levels rising.
"Dude I reckon you need some lessons in talkin' to girls!"
I detected the smirk in Zander's tone as he eyed the restless Warmblood who kept shooting glances toward Jodie and I.
Now I couldn't help but giggle.
Zander looked maybe a little tense, but I was very proud of the fact that he managed to just keep his cool and talk to Domino, without freaking out.
"Maybe we'll have to call him The Horse Whisperer."
Jodie murmured, a smile gracing her lips.
I'll tell her later that he actually doesn't have all that much experience with horses.
"Found a friend did ya Zan?"
I asked, a smile stretching my cheeks.
Domino halted his steps and stood tall, his black ears pricked.
Zander glanced towards Jodie and I.
"He launched out onto the road when I was approaching to turn."
Oh god!
"Shit."
Jodie cursed.
Domino surprised us all by lowering his head a significant distance and sniffing at Zander's t-shirt covered shoulder.
Zander froze, his deep blue eyes widening as he stared at me.
"He likes ya Babe."
I said quietly, my smile stretching further.
Domino released a heavy breath, then looped at the fabric over Zander's shoulder, making my boyfriend flinch.
Then, the young horse turned his head away as if he'd been looking that way the entire time, giving his lips a lick and working his jaw.
"Yeah well... I like him alright when he keeps a bit of distance."
Zander stated, shuffling a careful half a step slightly away from the now somewhat apparently relaxed Domino.
"Are you okay to hold onto him for just a minute more so I can make a phone call and let the other's know we've found him?"
Jodie asked, the smile audible in her voice.
"Uhh... yeah."
Zander agreed, shooting a quick glance towards Domino, who'd actually just been watching him, but quickly turned his head away when Zander's gaze landed on him.
Carefully and slowly, I began to make my way a little closer to Zander and Domino.
Although Domino was behaving himself, I should probably rescue my boyfriend who is by no means a Cowboy or an Equestrian!
Domino's ear's pricked towards me and he focused his gaze on me as I got closer.
"Hey cheeky boy."
I crooned.
Domino licked his lips.
"What the hell was he doin' out at the road anyway?"
Zander asked me, his brows furrowing into a small frown.
"He...got away."
I explained.
I didn't exactly want to tell him he was prone to breaking free from people, in case it made him worried to be near the large, but young and nervous horse.
Sometimes, what you don't know doesn't hurt you.
Zander turned back to Domino, with a small frown of disapproval on his face.
"Dude, even though you'd probably fuck up almost any car that came across ya, you do realise you'd also get hurt, right?"
He asked as if Domino might answer.
I couldn't help but smile.
Edging back a couple of steps, I slipped my phone out of my pocket with stealth and quickly activated my camera to grab a couple of pictures.
"Alright, are you guys ready?"
Jodie suddenly asked.
Her boots crunched on the ground and Domino flinched, taking a step back.
I winced.
"I can just take him up if ya want?"
Zander offered, twisting around to face Jodie.
"He seem's to be a bit suss on you girls."
I wanted to tell him that I'm actually the only one Domino has currently not broken away from, but I bit my tongue.
I'd let Zander have this moment of glory if he wanted it.
Except...
"Zan it's still about a hundred metres to walk..."
I warned.
He's making progress every day, but I didn't want him to push himself to the point he wound up actually doing himself more harm than good.
He shrugged and Domino turned his nose to touch at the movement of Zander's nearest shoulder.
"It's fine."
He denied.
Okay...
I guess it was after all, his choice.