Flying Change

Chapter 20

****** Phillip's Point of View*******

I watched from a distance as she stared at the start box. I knew she missed eventing, I could see it painted all over her face.

The show had rumbled on at an exhausting pace, Lexi and I had placed in almost every class. It was like a dream and if I could pull it out in the big Grand Prix this afternoon I knew I'd have a spot on the team for the Olympics. It seemed like everything had finally fallen into place. Joe Baines was gone, he had been indicted and was awaiting trial. Kristina had disappeared with him. Even Jake and I were on speaking terms after he and Angie had got together. It looked like he had finally let Lexi go, he had his eye on a different blonde.

I chewed my lip absentmindedly as I watched Lexi chat easily to an eventer. It was obvious the guy was flirting, hell I didn't blame him, look at her, I thought. I couldn't quell the nerves in my stomach as I watched her, I had been thinking and I hoped I'd made the right decision.

Eventually my jealousy got the better of me and I walked over, throwing my arm over her shoulders and greeting her with a kiss.

"Hey," I smiled, easily inserting myself between her and her admirer.

"Hey," she smiled up at me. Her green eyes sparkling.

"I gotta go," the eventer said, taking his queue and leaving before I had a chance to introduce myself.

"Ah did I scare him away?" I teased her as we watched another horse leave the starting stall.

"Stop it," she slapped me lightly, and took a sip of my coffee. "He's nice."

"He's also very into you," I smirked.

She rolled her eyes at me, I could see she didn't believe me.

"I think you're confusing him with one of the many groupies you have running around," she scoffed.

I smiled at her taunt and dropped the subject. I wasn't stupid, I knew how the guys talked about her. There was a reason I was protective. I knew, given half the chance there would be a line of guys who would be happy to replace me.

"Do you want to walk to the water?" She asked, looking up at me with her emerald orbs.

I couldn't think of anything less appealing than fighting through the crowds of people at the water jump, what I really wanted was to get her alone, "Sure," I replied. I was rewarded with a million dollar smile and I let her lead the way along the course towards the water complex.

My feet were sopping and the crowd was packed ten deep but I couldn't help but smile as I watched Lexi ride each horse through the water intently.

"You're Phillip Andou," The teenager next to me broke through my reverie, "And, you're Lexi Davies! Can we please have a photo?"

I nodded, trying not to feel bitter that someone had encroached on my moment. Lexi and I obliged, taking the photo.

Finally she took my hand and we walked back to the stables.

"Are you ok?" she looked up at me through her lashes. "You're awfully quiet."

"Fine," I smiled, my mind drifting back to my earlier thoughts as I looked down at her.

"Philo, what's wrong?" She asked, stopping and looking at me with a worried expression.

"Nothing, I promise!" I laughed, dropping a kiss on her head and turning towards the stables. I could feel her wanting to batter me with questions. "I'm going to go check out the arena." I waved at her, leaving her standing looking after me quizzically. I needed some time to think and I knew I wouldn't stand up to her questions if she was really determined.