“Of course,” I say. “Like we should both get STD tests and agree not to sleep with anyone else while we’re doing this.” I almost can’t believe what I’m saying, what we’re agreeing to do.But this is exactly what I was thinking I wanted the other day with Jenny—a little practice. Something fun and casual.
“I had one last month. I’m clean,” Nathan says. “And I won’t be seeing any other women. Don’t worry about that.”
I try not to grin at how easily he agrees to not seeing anyone else.
“Obviously, I won’t be seeing anyone either,” I say. “And clearly I’m clean.”
“Second rule is that we can’t let Beau get wind of this,” he adds. “His head will explode.”
“He’s not that protective of me anymore, but you’re right. This isn’t his style and he wouldn’t understand it.”
“Star Mountain’s knight in shining armor would never,” Nathan quips.
“Exactly,” I say, smiling. “So, we’ll keep it a secret.”
I don’t add that I’ll definitely be telling Winnie about this. Because best friends don’t count and besides, Nathan doesn’t even know her and she lives in Alabama.
“Perfect,” Nathan says, smiling down at me.
“So when’s our first lesson?” I ask.
“I think we just had it, Viper.”
As soon asNathan and I get back to the barn and tend to our horses, I go in search of a quiet, private place to call Winnie. I try the barn office, but Tomás is right outside of it sorting through old pieces of tack. My bedroom it is. Thankfully, Beau isn’t home and the house is empty. I grab some snacks from the kitchen and then lock my bedroom door and put a pillow in front of it just in case. I have no idea what my brother’s schedule is today and I’m not risking it.
“Pick up, pick up,” I chant as the video call rings.
Thankfully, Winnie does eventually, though she’s slightly red and out of breath.
“Hey sugar,” she says. “I nearly missed you because I couldn’t find my phone.”
While this explanation might make sense, something seems off. Her voice seems strained and it’s not like Winnie to leave her phone somewhere. She’s glued to it at all times, managing her social media accounts that have a combined following of over three million.
“Is everything okay?” I ask.
“Just a little spat with Mom, but it’s all fine,” she says in a cheerful voice.
I don’t probe any further. I can tell that Winnie is trying to pretend that everything’s okay and I don’t like forcing her to talk about things if she doesn’t want to. Sometimes, people need quiet, gentle support, rather than guns-blazing defense. Don’t get me wrong, I’d punch Winnie’s mom myself if I had the chance. But telling Winnie that will just make her even more stressed out, and I already know that she’s planning to escape her family as soon as she can.
“Why’d you call? Miss me?” she asks.
“Yes Win, I miss you,” I say. “It’s been ages since we saw one another in person.”
“But you called for a specific reason, I can tell,” Winnie says. “It’s your eyes; they’re bugging out of your head.”
“Gee, thanks Win.”
She gives me an expectant look.
“Ugh, fine, you’re right. I called to tell you something.” I was so excited to call Winnie but now that I’m faced with explaining what’s going on with me and Nathan, I’m hesitant. What if she judges me?
“I knew it!” Winnie says, her voice going up at the end in excitement. “Tell me everything. I bet it was something with that sexy cowboy you hate.”
“Maybe,” I say, smiling. I was dumb for thinking she might judge me—she’s going to eat this up with a spoon.
I give Winnie the full run down, starting with Nathan saving me from Ralph the other night, and ending with the moment I asked Nathan if he could be my practice.
“Oh my God, Candice, you didn’t!” she gasps out.
