Sorrel Hill: Dancing In Rome (BK3) |COMPLETED|

Chapter Six

"Challenges are what makes life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful." - Joshua J. Marine
________________________________________________________________

~Knowing Your Fears~

     I grasped the leather strips in my hands.  A freshly tilled arena in my eye-line.  My heart was in my throat and I was on the verge of a mental breakdown.  I was currently in an indoor arena, just Jack and I.  We were without a saddle only a bridle.  I had a foot jump up, I was not comfortable with going any higher.  Jack began to walk along the wall of the arena, his head bowed, obeying without a single fuss.  He truly was my forever horse.  The lights shone brightly onto his chestnutty coat, making it all the more vibrant.  I smiled at his thick, trimmed, mane.  It made him look like a little yearling without it in professional braids atop of his neck-line.  He was still my perfect angel though, he always has been.  My nerves climbed up the back of my spine.  I was terrified.  Jack was tense due to my mood, I knew I needed to chill out, but I was too worked up to do so.
A shaky breath withdrew from my chapped lips. This wasn't a good idea. I asked Jack for a trot and did transitioned without delay. My thighs went to work, posting the best I could without stirrups. My hair felt nice flowing off my neck. The gelding rode smoothly, almost like I was riding a cloud and not a 1,000 lbs. animal. I turned Jack to the center of the arena where the jump was laid. My heart throbbed, the noise inevitable in my ears. I was slowly freaking out. My breath hitched as everything went back into the past.
I saw my younger self on Big Jake, our dog run out in front of us. I was launched off and all the pain from that accident came rushing back to meet me. Despite the memories I didn't slow Jack, I had to do this. We were a stride away, my body screaming at me. Jack halted without warning sending me flying off. The landing knocked the air from my lungs. "Ahh," I gasped, rocking back and forth. Jack took off around the arena. I waited for a few minutes to regain my composure. The flashy gelding pranced up and down the exit. Jerk. My hair fell in my face once I sat up. Pain shot through my body from the landing. "Are you alright there?" An Australian accented voice called.
I turned my head to see a young man of blonde hair and blue eyes jog into the arena. This is embarrassing. "Yes, I'm fine just a little excitement." I brushed off my pants and stood. "Bareback is the recipe for excitement," he showed off a charming smile. I nodded, "that it is." He turned his head to the spooked gelding still losing his mind. I wanted to laugh as the man tried to catch Jack who simply dodged him. Jack was a very intelligent horse. I whistled and Jack immediately stopped, he raised his head to look at me, then walked up to me with wide eyes. My hand gently grasped his reins and stroked him along the jaw. He let out a deep relaxed breath, lowering his head to my chest. "Good job, Bud," my voice was soft and delicate to him.
"Some horse you have there. How long have you had him?" He asked, walking up to pet Jack's shoulder.  "I got him as a four year old, he's eleven now... so about eight years," Jack was quite an exceptional horse for his age.  He was a champion jumper and still does it at age eleven.  That's not something just any horse could do.  My 16.3hh boy was one to be in admiration about.  He was my world.  "You two have quite the bond, any foals from him?"  I sighed, there was one thing I wished and that was for Jack to be a stallion.  Not for the money or extra popularity, but for the chance to own a son or daughter of my best friend.  I would own a foal of Jack's without a second thought.  Maybe his breeders would have a foal from him?  But, that foal would have been sold in no time.  However, I did have the money to offer anything to get that foal, and it would be from Jack's lineage. 
     "None known, he was gelded when I purchased him."  Jack nudged me, I grinned scratching behind his ears. The man nodded, "I see, I'm Eric Wealt.  You're Kiley Tyler I presume?"  I shook his hand, nodding.  Jack snorted, he stomped his foot.  I frowned, that's odd from him.  I studied his face closely, his nostrils were just a centimeter wider than usual, his eyes alert, his head now raised.  "What's bothering you, Bud?"  Jack looked at me, pawed, then finally let out a sigh.  I hadn't a clue of why he was acting strange.  "Ms. Tyler, do you have any idea how many of your friends are coming and their names?  Forgive me, but we have to ensure they have clean records."  I smiled, "no, I understand completely.  Jessie, Hannah, Luke, Emily, Will, Samantha, Xavier, and Nathan.  I can give you the states and counties they are currently located.  It should be only those eight, maybe seven if Nathan doesn't show.  Which he should."  He nodded, "thank you.  I suppose if you can't bareback the jump your friends could come early to help?"  A heavy weight left me, "thank you!  They always help me for some reason.  Even if they do nothing."
     He ran a hand through his hair, "of course, have a wonderful and hopefully safe afternoon Ms. Tyler."  With that he left much to my relief.  My moment of embarrassment won't soon be forgotten.  I turned back to Jack and looked him over.  Everything seemed fine maybe he was just spooked from the fall.  I hopped back on with an intent to complete the jump.  After a few million tries I ended the night.  I couldn't get it, no matter how much I tried the memories kept coming back, I was tense which caused Jack to tense.  I went to my guest house, sat on my bed, and cried.  I was frustrated.  I tried over and over yet I couldn't get it.  Constantly falling or Jack refusing. 
     Once I got all my tears out my phone rang.  I looked over at my bedside to see it was my boyfriend.  A weak smile graced my face as I swiped to answer.  "Hey, how are you?"  His voice alone was enough to enlighten my mood.  "I'm fine, how are you?"  He paused for a moment before answering, "not so fine now since you've had a bad day.  What happened?"  I frowned, how the heck?  "You can't even see me, how can you tell?"  He chuckled, "your voice.  Kiley, what's wrong?"  I let out a sigh, "I was asked to preform with Jack in the show a few days from now.  The only problem with that is I have to jump him bareback, so I tried over and over today.  I kept tensing up or my mind would go back to the time with Big Jake and I would have to take a break."  I propped myself up waiting for him to answer.
     "Have you talked to Nate?  Maybe it was a panic attack?"  I laughed at the name 'Nate' he would kill me if I called him that.  "No, that's not what this is.  Not yet at least.  I've had moment where I can only see the ride with Big Jake and feel the pain after the fall, but it's a blurred mess.  When I had my panic attack four years ago it was clear and vibrant, so much so I thought it was real.  I just- I don't know what to do."  I rolled onto my back and stared up at the ceiling.  Why do I have this fear?  Why can't I just muster up the courage and jump?  "Do you remember when you had your first official race on Angel?  You looked so nervous, tense, and scared.  I knew you could do it, but you were in your head about it so much so it affected both of you.  Do you remember what I told you?"  A genuine smile stretched across my tired face, "to breathe." Even though I couldn't see him I knew his eyes were sparkling at my words, "then you know what to do." "Thank you, Jessie." "Anytime, good night beautiful!" I laughed, "night dork."
"Hey, we both know Ben is the dorky one and I'm the-" I grinned, "annoying one?" "No." "Weird one?" "Nope." "Idiotic one?" "Not even close." "Stupid one?" "That's basically idiotic." "Funny one?" "Yes, but no." "Handsome one?" "N- freaking finally!" I laughed at him. If there's one thing I loved about Jessie it was his ability to make anyone laugh at anytime. "Night handsome," I reached to hang up. "Night beautiful."

A/N

Happy Thanksgiving Y'all! I decided to post a chapter as a Thanksgiving day tribute! Hope y'all enjoy it ;)