by M. Garzon
“All right, we’ll start you off on some quieter horses, see how you do.”
We followed Mike down the shedrow. He disappeared into a stall while Teri and I waited in the doorway.
“Who’s gonna get on this one? His name’s Danger Bay.”
Teri and I exchanged a glance. Her green eyes were wide in her pale face.
“I’ll take him,” I volunteered, praying that his name wasn’t indicative of anything.
“Come on, then.” Mike waved me forward cheerfully. “I’ll give you a leg up, then we’ll get Teri mounted. One of our regular riders will go out with you to keep you outta trouble.”
He tossed me expertly into the saddle. Or what passed for a saddle at the track — it was tiny and thin. I pulled my legs up to put my feet into the ridiculously short stirrups. My hands were clammy inside my gloves, and I hoped my trembling wouldn’t show. It seemed only seconds before Teri and Rob, the regular exercise rider, joined us and we headed toward the track. Rob chatted with us in a friendly way; he was cute, not much older than us, and seemed to understand our nervousness.
“Don’t worry, we won’t let nothin’ happen to ya.” He grinned as we got close. “Just stick with me.”
My mount tensed as soon as his feet hit the track, and I felt weak with fear. I shortened my reins and trotted off after Rob’s horse, feeling unfamiliar muscles working already. As we started to canter I thought frantically about what I’d learned. Rob’s horse was pulling ahead; I crouched a bit lower over my mount’s neck and felt a rush of pure exhilaration as he smoothly lengthened his stride into a gallop. The wind was freezing on my face and my eyes were streaming. I could feel the pounding of my horses’ hooves reverberating through my chest. It was a good feeling, despite the fact that I was also gasping for air.
By the time Rob slowed his horse to a jog, my arms, back and legs were all screaming in protest. I didn’t know how I was going to get through the morning — this was only my first horse.
“That was pretty good.” He smiled at us. “How do you feel?”
“Petrified.” Teri grinned at him.
“Yeah,” I laughed my agreement. Petrified, but also electrified. We laughed and joked our way back to the barn, riding the high of having survived. It hit me for the first time that there was a very real risk of getting injured doing this job. And if that happened there wouldn’t be any way to hide it, which would mean definite follow-up injuries for me. Oh well, it was too late to worry about that now, I reasoned.
By the time we left for school, I had ridden four more horses. I pulled off my gloves in the car to find that my hands were bleeding. Teri was hurting too; we were both pretty fit from riding, but the physical demands of galloping were on an entirely different level. I fell asleep during my last afternoon class. On the bright side, Dec hadn’t noticed my absence that morning, so I was probably safe for the rest of the week. Gran was staying with us, and she wasn’t an early riser.
The next morning we were better prepared. I wore more layers; I had underestimated not only how cold it was at five a.m., but also how hot I would get while galloping. We were less nervous, too, and got acquainted with the riders, grooms, and hotwalkers. Rob was especially nice, as helpful and kind as he’d been the day before.
By the end of the morning, I was starting to suspect that maybe Dec had a point about the racetrack. For one thing, I’d walked into a stall to find a groom casually rolling a joint.
“Don’t worry, it’s not for now,” he’d said, grinning. “There’s no smoking here. You’re welcome to join me afterward, though.”
I was also learning a lot of new words, mostly of the kind that I wouldn’t dare use at home. My biggest concern, though, was the horses. They were worked so hard at such a young age, it was a miracle that any of them stayed sound. And from what I had heard, many of them didn’t.
On Wednesday I could barely crawl out of bed when the alarm went off, and when I did, everything hurt. I was on my second horse before my muscles loosened up; Teri and I were walking our horses back to the barn, having just galloped without Rob for the first time.
“Oh, crap,” I muttered, trying not to transmit my sudden tension to the filly I was riding. “What is he doing here?”
“Who?” Teri looked around; I nodded in the direction of the shedrow. Jaden was planted outside it, his arms crossed and his posture rigid.
“Uh-oh. He wouldn’t tell on us, would he?” She looked only slightly less apprehensive than I felt.
“I don’t know, I don’t actually know him that well,” I said worriedly.
We dismounted at the shedrow. I patted my filly before the groom took her, then jumped as a low voice spoke behind me.
“Can I have a word with you, please?” He sounded tense.
“Um, sure.” I glanced at Teri. I wished her face didn’t look so guilty.
My mind was working furiously, but I didn’t come up with any brilliant cover stories as I followed Jaden to the parking area, where he turned and resumed his arms-crossed stance. I made an effort not to let his disapproving look raise my hackles — losing my temper now would be the opposite of helpful. Instead, I tried to affect nonchalance, hooking my thumbs into my chaps and looking him straight in the eye.
“Hey, Jaden, what’s up?”
He didn’t say anything at first, his eyes roaming over my face searchingly. I noticed they were a very unusual color; mainly a light, limpid brown, but brightened strikingly by numerous flecks of gold. I didn’t know what to call it. Hazel didn’t seem exotic enough.
“What are you doing here, Téa?”
The question startled me. I’d gotten distracted by his remarkable eyes... how could I never have noticed them before?
“Galloping some horses, why?” I tried to look innocently confused by his question.
“So you have permission to be here?”
“What are you doing here?” I took the offensive, eyeing him suspiciously.
He rolled his eyes. “I came to look at a horse. A polo prospect.” He was still watching me, unsmiling. The girls are right, I thought, he really is good-looking. In a superior, aggravating sort of way.
“Téa, the track isn’t a safe place. And I’m not just referring to the riding, though that’s exceedingly dangerous. The backstretch itself is... sketchy. I’m willing to bet that Dec doesn’t know you’re here.”
I gazed at him appraisingly. “What if he doesn’t? Are you planning to enlighten him?”
“Unless you promise me you’ll quit, then, yes.” The threat in his tone was unmistakable; I could see the beginnings of anger sparking in his eyes.
“Why? What business is it of yours?” I demanded. Despite my efforts, my nervousness was giving way to my temper now. “I need this job, and I’m old enough to handle the risks, thank you very much.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said coldly. “There are far safer ways of earning money. And I’m family, therefore you are my business.”
We were both leaning in, our faces a foot apart, glaring at each other.
“Téa!” Mike’s voice broke the standoff. “Are you getting on any more horses this morning? Or are you too busy with your boyfriend?” He grinned at me.
“Sorry, Mike. Be right there.” I took a deep breath and tried a new tack. “Look, Jaden, this job is really important to me. And I won’t be doing it much longer-”
“Let me guess, just until Dec comes home?” He raised a brow, daring me to deny it.
“Can’t you just be reasonable about this and look the other way for a few days?”
“No, I can’t,” he said flatly. “That wouldn’t be a ‘reasonable’ response at all, given the risks involved.” I gazed at the hard angles of his face and felt a surge of intense dislike toward him — what gave him the right to meddle in my life, anyway?
I considered quickly. I could only see two options: Option One, quit the job, and forfeit my chance to go to the Royal. I didn’t like the sound of option one
at all. Option Two, keep the job, which meant I’d have to lie, because Dec simply could not find out about me working at the track. Ever.
I threw up my hands. “Fine,” I said in a low, curt voice. “I’ll quit. But I can’t very well leave them stranded. Just let me finish up today. Please.” I tried to soften my voice at the end.
He considered me silently for a moment while I attempted to keep the nervousness out of my face. His expression relaxed as he finally conceded.
“All right. As long as today is your last day.”
I sighed in relief as we turned and headed back to the barn. I was counting on the fact that Jaden would believe me. I mean, he did live over an hour away. Surely he wouldn’t drive all the way back here. I waited until we were driving to school to tell Teri about Jaden’s ultimatum.
“Oh no,” she exclaimed, looking scared. “What are we going to do?”
“Nothing.” I shrugged. “I’ve already talked to Mike about it, he says he’ll play dumb if anyone calls asking for us. I’m going to risk it, personally. I’m pretty sure Jaden won’t tell on you, in any case — it’s me he’s harassing. Stupid, self-important meddler.” I spat the last few words.
* * *
School today would have been slightly better — I was getting used to the insanely early hours, though my muscles still ached — but for the new, gnawing worry that Jaden would somehow realize my deception. I told myself it wasn’t likely. After all, why would he expend the energy to check up on me? He barely knew me. Yet I was still uneasy.
The next day passed uneventfully, except that I got bitten on the arm by a big colt. My attention had lapsed because I was looking over my shoulder, worrying about being discovered, and I irrationally blamed the blooming dark bruise on Jaden. After work, the school day seemed endless. I was too tired to pay attention in class.
I was relieved when Friday arrived; not only would I be getting a lot more sleep after today, but the odds of my being safe from discovery were improving by the minute. Dawn was just breaking as we got to the racetrack, the barns and a few horses exquisitely silhouetted by pink and coral streaks low in the sky.
We were greeted cheerily by all the grooms, who propositioned us as usual, and by now we could easily joke back. Ben threw me up onto my first mount. My soreness from earlier in the week was beginning to fade, and I trotted off happily to follow Mike’s orders to gallop Bailey, a chestnut filly, for six furlongs.
Bailey went well, and I walked her back to the barn alone, humming. But as we came within sight of the barn, my humming — and my heart — stopped. Jaden was leaning casually against the outer wall, watching me. I tried to pull up the confused filly, but she skittered sideways and tossed her head up. She knew her routine, and she wanted to go home to her breakfast. My heart was banging loudly against my ribcage now. Dec was going to find out. I was as good as dead. Bailey, who had been dancing around in increasing agitation, suddenly decided she’d had enough and stood up on her hind legs. I threw myself forward onto her neck; when she came down I kicked my feet out of the stirrups — much safer on a rearing horse — and tried to drive her forward, but she reared again, higher this time, standing straight up until I was scared that she would go over backward. All at once a hand grabbed my wrist and yanked me out of the saddle. I fell sideways; Jaden broke my fall with his arm and shoved me out of the way in one motion. He turned to deal with Bailey, whose reins he held in his other hand. The force of his push propelled me to the ground.
It didn’t take him long to gentle the filly, and he turned to survey me irately. Without a word, he extended a hand to help me up. I felt a jolt when I took it, as though he was so angry his very skin wanted to shock me. He jerked hard, I flew upward and nearly overbalanced again, but his hand steadied me. My fear and adrenaline made me aggressive.
“You scared my horse,” I accused him.
“I didn’t make the horse rear, Téa. Your own guilty conscience did that,” he said scornfully. His eyes were blazing — I actually took a step backward before I caught myself. When he headed for the barn I followed reluctantly.
Back at the barn, Ben stepped out to take Bailey.
“It’s never a good sign when the rider comes back on foot.” He laughed. “Did she give you a hard time?” He spoke to me but eyed Jaden curiously.
“No, she galloped really well, it was my fault,” I said as normally as I could. I noticed Teri staring at us, looking shocked and pale.
Jaden turned to me and grabbed my arm.
“Let’s go,” he said, his voice hard.
“No, wait...” I struggled to free myself and he tightened his grip, digging his fingers painfully into my fresh bruise.
“Ow! Let go!” I yelped.
He dropped his hand. At the sound of my cry, Mike, Ben and a Jamaican groom whose name I couldn’t recall stepped out and advanced on us. I noticed with surprise that they looked rather menacing, but Jaden seemed entirely unfazed.
“What’s going on here?” Mike demanded. “You okay, doll?” He peered at me in concern.
“Yeah,” I muttered. This was getting embarrassing.
Jaden extended his hand. “It’s Mike Lambert, isn’t it? I’m Jaden Foster. I think you know my uncle, Declan Foster?”
Mike gave a curt nod as he shook Jaden’s hand. “Yup, I know him. What’s that got to do with Téa here?”
“She’s his daughter. Dec isn’t aware that Téa’s been working here, and I know he wouldn’t approve, so I think it’s best if she comes with me.”
Surprise crept into Mike’s expression while Jaden spoke. He looked at me somewhat accusingly. “Is that true?”
I nodded glumly.
“Well then, kid, I think you’d better go with your cousin here, before you get yourself in trouble.”
The men disappeared back into the barn, and after I’d shrugged at her apologetically, Teri followed them, avoiding Jaden’s eye. When Jaden took my arm again I jerked it away furiously. He was self-righteous, interfering, and arrogant, and I’d had enough.
“I’m not going,” I fumed. “You’re going to tell Dec anyway, there’s nothing I can do about that, but there is absolutely no reason for me to go anywhere with you.”
He exhaled sharply and glared at me. “Téa, I’m not discussing this with you. You have two options: you can leave under your own power, or I’ll carry you. Which will it be?”
“I’ll take door number three. Staying,” I argued stubbornly.
He didn’t say a word, just grabbed me and threw me over his shoulder in one easy movement. I was stunned, mortified, and didn’t want to make an even greater scene, so I didn’t struggle. I did make use of my new vocabulary, though, and kept up a satisfying stream of profanities in a low voice that only he could hear, until he tossed me into his car. He didn’t speak during the drive, other than to spend a few minutes castigating me for lying to him. Besides those pleasantries, we spent the time in seething silence.
He pulled up to the school. I was reaching for the door handle when he spoke.
“Téa.”
“What,” I muttered without turning.
“Look, I know you think I’m a huge jerk for doing this-”
“That’s an understatement.”
“...and this is beyond cliché, but it’s for your own good. Really.”
I faced him. “It won’t be for my good if Dec finds out,” I said bleakly. I couldn’t bring myself to ask him, again, not to say anything. I had too much pride, for one thing, and in any case, something about his expression told me it would be futile.
I got out, not even bothering to slam the door. My anger had burnt itself out, and I felt a cold dread settle into its place. Thanks to Jaden’s meddling I was insanely early for school, and my schoolbag was still in Teri’s car, so I couldn’t even fill the time by catching up on my neglected homework.
Seth got to school before Teri did, and I moped over to meet our bus. He took one look at my face and guessed what had happened.
�
�Aw, neeps,” he said, and I had to grin. Only Seth could make me smile at a time like this. We weren’t allowed to swear at home, so we had developed our own vernacular of made-up oaths; ‘neeps’ was the worst one, our childhood version of the “F” word. I had told Seth about Jaden’s surprise appearance on Wednesday — Seth and I shared everything — and he had agreed with my assessment that the risk was small.
He put his arm around my shoulders and gave me a reassuring squeeze.
“Well, it ain’t over yet. Maybe he won’t tell,” he said hopefully.
I didn’t have the heart to disabuse him of that happy notion, but I was sure he was wrong. We set off to our separate homerooms, Seth giving me an encouraging smile first. Teri ran into our class at the last minute, breathless; she handed me my bag and threw herself into the seat next to mine. We were in the back row, so we could manage a careful, whispered conversation.
“Is he going to tell?” she asked worriedly.
“I think so.” I couldn’t help wincing as I said it. “But don’t worry, I’ll keep you out of it. I’ll tell Dec someone from the track drove me if he asks.”
Two
When we got off the bus I spotted Dec’s truck in front of the shed. He was home, then. At least I wouldn’t have to wait for hours, riddled with anxiety about whether I was busted. I glanced at Seth.
“If he knows, leave the house, okay? Please?”
There was no reason for Seth to suffer along with me. He nodded dumbly, his face completely serious for once.
We had barely stepped into the house when Dec came out of the kitchen.
“Téa.” The low, menacing way he said my name sent a chill down my back. Yup, he knew.
“I want you in my office. Now.” He stalked away without a backward glance.
I dropped my schoolbag and slowly kicked off my shoes. I looked at Seth; his face was pale.
“Maybe I should talk to him,” he suggested.
“No! You know it won’t work, you’ll only get yourself in trouble. Just go. I’ll be fine.” We both knew the last part was a lie, but he wheeled and went out, slamming the door behind him.
