I came to a stop, leaning forward and resting my head against Wrax.
“You did good, buddy.” I sighed, and we sat there for the longest time before making our way back to the barn.
Coach Sharky was in the stable when I walked Wrax in there.
“Did Axel head home?” he asked, shoving his hands in his pockets.
“He did.” I nodded.
“I’m glad you had that time together. That was a good showing this weekend, Wren. People are talking about you, and it’s all good things.” He smiled.
“Okay.” I didn’t really care what people were saying. I was happy that Wrax and I had shown up this weekend, but it was not for anyone but us.
“I think it’s good that Axel is back home. It’ll be easier to focus now.” He walked beside me out of the barn.
His comment rubbed me wrong, but I knew I was emotional about saying goodbye to Axel, so I tried to shake it off. “I think I’m very focused. I did my best training back in Rosewood River, and we were living together there.”
His eyes widened. “Wow. This is more serious than I thought.”
I wasn’t sure how to respond to that. I hadn’t realized that I needed to run my personal relationships by him.
My friend Jillian walked over to where we were standing.
“Hey, Wren, a few of us are going to grab dinner, and I know Axel left earlier, so I thought you might want to come?” she said, her long dark braid hanging over her shoulder. She was a year younger than me, and she’d finished fourth in the competition this weekend. I respected her and I liked her. There’d never been any weird tension between us, and we’d developed a close friendship over the last two years.
“Sure. I’d love that. Thank you. I just have to stop by my cabin and grab my purse.”
“Great. Meet me out front in five minutes, and we can walk over together.” She smiled before turning to walk to her place.
“Be careful there,” Coach said, keeping his voice low. “Everyone wants to get inside your head right now. We have too much at stake. Too much to lose.”
I narrowed my gaze. He’d always tried to keep me separate from the other athletes, and I’d never understood it.
But after stepping away for a while and coming back, I realized it was about controlling me in a way.
He’d tried to control the horse I rode, and the friends I hung out with.
I knew Coach Sharky wanted the best for me, but Axel was right.
He also wanted the best for himself.
And his true colors were showing.
“I don’t think anyone wants to get inside my head. I think they just want to get a burger. And that sounds good to me.” I chuckled. “I’ll see you in the morning, Coach.”
“First one in, last one out,” he shouted after me. “We will not be outworked.”
I blew out a breath and waved at him before jogging to my cabin.
I grabbed my phone and my purse and glanced down to see a text from Axel.
Cowboy
I’m home. Love you.
I miss you and love you. Counting the days until you come back.
Cowboy
