Just a Little Bit of Love, Barrels, and Horses

Chapter 23

"McKenna," Jake says fear in his eyes. I hold up my hand.

"Alec. Give us some privacy," I say with a glare.

"Nah I'm perfectly content here," Alec says with a smirk. I walk up and grab his shirt and push him against the trailer.

"I'm going to say this again nice and slow. Give us some privacy," I say through gritted teeth.

"Fine. Just get off of me," Alec says scared. I get off of him and he walks away.

"McKenna hear me out. I'm sorry. I know that I shouldn't but it's. I don't know. I'm sorry okay," jake says clearly flustered.

"Jake. It's okay stop rambling. I mean it's kind of a shock, but you can't help the way you feel. But you have to understand I'm in no place to date right now. Right now I need a friend and I hope you understand that," I say. When I see he isn't looking at me I walk up to him and lift up his chin to make him look at me.

"McKenna I know it's just. My brother I don't know if I can date you after what happened. That's why I'm so flustered. I like you but I know I can't. I think to much," Jake says. I then notice how beautiful his green eyes are. Absolutely stunning. I look at him.

"Then don't," I say. He looks up at me clearly confused.

"Don't what?" Jake asks.

"Don't think so much," I say inching closer.

"McKenna," Jake says breathing heavy. I lean forward and so does he. I press my lips to his and quickly pull back. His eyes are still closed and I chuckle.

"See ya later cowboy," I say walking away.

"You tease!" Jake yells.

"Damn right!" I yell back chuckling. I see Ellie and I run up to her. She's crying. "Ellie what happened?" I ask quickly.

"Abby," she says taking deep breaths.

"What happened to Abby?" I ask quickly.

"She got hurt. Somebody drugged her. And she wasn't conscious when we found her. Just barely breathing," Ellie says crying harder now. I fall to my knees. Sure me and Abby had our differences but we got over them and it just made our friendship stronger. Who would do this to her? Then I get a text.

"Sure hope you liked my little show. I warned you what would happen if you didn't give me that money. You're going to pay. Hugs and kisses honey. -Dad

I start to sob and shake. Oh my god. Why does this stuff happen to me? Then I hear the announcer.

"Our next and final event is barrel racing! Let's see these cowgirls cowgirl up!" The announcer shouts. Then came a wave of cheering. Me and Ellie get up and say good luck and walk back over to our trailers. I saddle magic up and give him a kiss on his muzzle.

"Magic I love you so much. I don't know what I would do without you boy," I say sniffling. He senses that I'm upset and nuzzles me in the hand. I laugh. A good laugh. I haven't laughed like that in a long time. I pat him and get on him. I go to the warm up arena and trot circles until magic is sweaty then I do rollbacks. When I hear my name being called I go up to to the gate.

"Up now Danielle Piche on Dynamite. On deck Ellie Reierson on Aphrodite and in the hole and including our barrel racing event 4 time state champ McKenna O'Brien on Magic!" The announcer says. Watching Ellie's run I'm just a screaming.

"Kick her Ellie! Keep her off!" I shout. Danielle got a time of 19.213. Ellie got a 18.413. That's a hard time to beat on this pattern.

"Good luck," Ellie says giving me a thumbs up. I smile and give it back to her. I know the announcer said something but I don't hear him. I'm completely focused.

"Come on bud. Let's show them what Vergas people are made of," I say. We get into the gate and he's crow hopping and trying to run the gate. He wants to GO. I make sure we're lined up with the third barrel and that he can see the first barrel. I let him go and I forget about everything that's happened today. I kick him and he turns around the first barrel with ease. Heading to the second barrel he's not on the right lead so I squeeze my left legs and he gets back into it. We turn around the second barrel and he explodes out of the pocket. As we are running to the third barrel I hear somebody cheering, but I don't care who it is. I pull back to slow him down and he turn around the third barrel like it was easy as pie. I kick him and kick him and he's booking it. We run through the gate and I slow him down. I pat him good boy and look at the time. A 17.149. I can't help but tear up. I'm so proud of him. I get off and hug him and kiss him all over. I'm going to worlds for all 3 events that I'm in! I love my horses so much. Then all of a sudden I feel a slight pain in my cheek.

"You kissed my brother?!" Alec yells. And hits me again and again. Then all I see Is black.