Chapter 13

“What do you think of that?” I call out.

“Of what?” He fusses with the reins, pretending he doesn’t remember what we’re talking about.

I cross the yard, spurring the mare when Jeremy tries to ride away from me. “Jeremy, wait.” When I’m close enough, I lean over and grab the stallion’s bridle so he can’t ride away. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong.”

But he doesn’t look at me and I’ve known him long enough to know he’s lying. I lower my voice so the few tourists hanging around the fence don’t overhear me. “Bullshit. Talk to me.”

“I amtalking to you.” He shakes the reins. “Let go.”

But I don’t. I tug on the bridle, forcing the stallion to step closer to my mare. Jeremy’s leg bumps against mine. “Tell me why you’re here.”

“Because I’m your friend.” He still won’t look at me. “Because it’s lunch time. I don’t know, Nick, ‘cause I wanted to ride the damn horse, okay? Let go already.”