Chapter69: Max

After breakfast we were all set to leave. Since we didn't have a car, Henry offered to ride with us but Alex refused. I don't know why but I think him refusing his ride is a good thing too because we won't have to see Val. Instead, we drove my grandma's truck. It was old but it would do. Grandma drove with Henry and Val and since grandma and I agreed to act normal and pretend that Val is not a pretentious bitch that she is, then grandma just acted normal.

"Thank God grandma didn't argue with us."Alex said driving the truck away.

"She couldn't, I told her about Val."I told him and he smiled.

"That's the reason then. This truck is kinda comfortable." He said," only that it's slow."he added. Of course it's slow. It's old for heaven's sake.

"Yeah, while you rejoice about the truck, you should be happy we were not roasted for missing breakfast. I wonder how we slept for that long."I said looking ahead of the road.

"Yeah, maybe you shouldn't 'help' me so often so that you don't get tired and sleep too much. As for me, I sleep because your scent is my sleeping pill."he said laughing and I knew what he saying. I blushed and looked away to the window. I am not discussing my help to him last night. It's embarrassing." Why are you blushing like that? It's not the first time you helped me." Alex shamelessly said and I blushed some more. Oh my God!! This man.

"Alex, I don't want to talk about it."I told him and he laughed loudly. I like this. Alex laughing like this is good but I'm not gonna look at him.

"Okay baby, I'll stop but only because I don't want you to reach at the ranch all red. Grandma may think I boiled you or something."he said chuckling and I laughed. What kind of a lame joke is that? Boiled me? Please.... I continued to show him the direction until we reached. Grandma and her crew had already reached because they had a faster car than our slow truck.

We got out and from here I didn't think we are supposed to wait for any instructions. I held Alex's hand and drugged him to the horses' stable so that he can meet Max." Where are you taking me?"he asked.

"To meet Max. He's a lovely boy. You would love him."I said happily. I love my horse because we grew up together. We are used to each other and it only obeys my commands.

"Kimberly...."I heard someone call me and I stopped in my track. I looked back and I was surprised.

"Oh my God Steve, you look great."I told the man who I assigned to be taking care of my horse. He takes care of all the horses but mine is the priority because I pay him to do that.

"Of course I look good. You can never imagine how great Max has been these days. He's even warming up to me. He sometimes listens to me too. Can you imagine?"he said happily and I frowned.

"I'm I supposed to be happy or sad that he's warming up to him."I subconsciously said to myself.

"Who is this handsome man you got here?"he asked and I returned to the smiling me.

"Sorry for not introducing you guys to each other. This is my boyfriend Alex, Alex this is Max's caretaker when I'm not around. His name is Steve."I said and Alex just nodded. Woow, I thought he was gonna say something but that will remain a thought I guess.

We headed to Max's stable after Steve left." Are you okay?"I asked Alex who was quiet.

"I'm fine. I'm just wondering how big is the ranch. Also, I thought you said you don't have so many male friends."he said and I nodded. He can't be jealous of Steve too right?

"It's true, I've not had many male friends but Henry had been my friend since we were kids before I even started hating the male gender and Steve here is my grandma's employee but I pay him extra money to take care of Max. You get it?"I asked and he nodded.

We arrived where max was being kept and I smiled. He looked so big and healthy right now. I left Alex's hand and run to him but Max did the opposite of what I expected. He looked away and tightened his muzzle and flared his nostrils. Doesn't he recognise me. I looked at Alex who was chuckling and threw some angry glances at him.

"Alex, you are not helping. My horse is deliberately ignoring me. What could be the problem?"I asked no one in particular.

"He's mad at you. Can't you see that?"Alex said and I looked at Max. Alex has a point and maybe I should change my approach. I went and looked at Max smiling while I carressed his long hair on his head.

"I know you are mad Max. I know and I'm really sorry I stayed away for so long. I was busy okay. Now let's go back to being friends again please. Just imagine the fun we are gonna have today. By the way, I want you to meet someone."I said then I called Alex who just raised a brow at me. I glared at him and he came. I smiled holding his hand." Heey Max, you see this man here he is my boyfriend and I love him so much. Even if you are mad, at least you have to be happy for me right? He's so handsome and you have to look to know the person who will marry me."I said and I didn't realize I talked about marriage. My aim right now was for Max to look at me and warm up to me. 

He slowly turned his head and looked at me. I was so happy that my grin almost hurt my cheeks but Max turned to look at Alex. I was surprised as well as Alex who looked at me confused too. Max brought his head towards Alex and nudged his head and  rubbing his head against him. I smiled when I realized what was happening. He is warming up to Alex and that's the best thing that could happen. Alex patted it's muzzle and looked at me then winked. 

Slowly, he warmed up to me and I was so happy. I wanted to take him on a ride and since he didn't show any resistance Alex and I hopped on after we prepared Max with the riding stuffs. I was surprised at how professional Alex hopped on the horse.

"Where did you learn that?"I asked him when he stretched his arms to lift me up.

"At a summer camp."he said shrugging as if it was not a big deal. 

We rode Max together and I was really happy. Max was stronger now and he was smarter. His racing skills had improved too and I couldn't be more grateful to Steve for taking care of him. Max would refuse any person wanting to train him as long as that person isn't me so I could only thank Steve for taking care of him for me.

"Kiki."not again with Kiki name. I looked at Henry who had joined us but he was riding his horse solo. Where is Val? 

"Henry, you know I hate that name. I told grandma not to call me that name anymore and that applies to you too."I told him and he smiled.

"Whatever you say. How's Max doing? I hope there is a day he will warm up to me. I can't believe you trained your horse to hate people."he said and I chuckled.

"He just doesn't like people in general it's not about my training. But he likes Alex so much."I told him.

"Really? What did he do?"he asked me instead of the man who was behind me quiet.

"Aren't you supposed to ask Alex that question. I think he's got a charm."I said leaning on Alex then I smiled.

"Eew, I'm not ready for this eye sore right now. I need to bounce with Kaitlyn here. She's been so restrained, I think it's time she stretches her legs a bit." Henry said and left.

We too rode Max and by the time the sun was setting, I was so tired. Alex and I had so much fun in the ranch training Max and Alex surprised me when he showed Max a new technique. Who is this man? I mean he knows more about horses than I do and I grew with horses while he just had experience with them from only one summer camp. That's insane.