“Yes, that’s right.”
“You punched him first?”
“Yes.”
“Because you lost.” Shane holds my gaze, her smile now completely gone.
I think hard about how to answer this. Amber told me to skirt around the issue, to come up with a vague reason for my actions.But I don’t want to seem like a liar—I’m plenty happy to let the world think I’m a womanizer and a partier, and even a loser. But a liar? Nope. Not happening.
“No,” I say. “I did not punch him because I lost.”
“Then why did you?” Shane asks.
“I punched him because I was frustrated,” I say, going with my gut. “I was frustrated with an industry that doesn’t always prioritize animal welfare, and I took those frustrations out on Brad. The fact that he won obviously irked me since I think I’m the better rider, but that wasn’t the cause of my frustration that night.”
I see the wheels in Shane’s head start turning as she processes what I’ve just said. It’s not the answer Amber wanted me to give, but itisa good one. It’s a bit arrogant, which is what people expect from me at this point. But it’s also clearly honest, and serious, without being too accusatory.
“Are you accusing anyone in particular of ignoring their horse’s welfare?” Shane asks carefully.
“No,” I say. “If I wanted to do that, I’d go through the proper channels. But it’s an issue that has been weighing on my mind heavily, and it’s part of the reason I chose to do my community service at Star Mountain.”
Bingo. I see in Shane’s eyes that I’ve said the perfect thing—I’ve given her a narrative for her article, one in which I’m not a sore loser, but a man trying to do the right thing.
“Why don’t you tell me more about your time at the rescue,” she says, smiling at me once more. She leans in, too, bringing our bodies closer together. “What kind of work have you been doing?”
I smile back at her, giving her exactly what she wants, and start to tell her about working with Brown Sugar and Candice.
37
CANDICE
I’mas quiet as a mouse in the kitchen as I make myself lunch. I didn’t want to interrupt Nathan’s interview by coming in here, but I’m starving after the photoshoot and need to eat. Hopefully, they won’t notice me. As I’m making my sandwich, I hear bits and pieces of the interview. Shane is asking him about his time at Star Mountain, and his work here.
“Brown Sugar is an ex-barrel racer,” he explains. “She’s too nervous to compete now so we’re retraining her for leisure riding…”
Nathan explains everything we’ve been doing together perfectly, and it makes my chest swell with pride. Brown Sugar has come a long way in the weeks she’s been here, and he has as well. He’s a good rider, and a good trainer. I was a fool for ever doubting him.
“And what about competing?” I hear Shane ask. “Any plans for the future?”
“Definitely,” Nathan says. “I can’t wait to get back on the reining circuit. It’s been too long.”
For the second time today, I’m reminded of the fact that Nathan is going to be leaving Star Mountain soon. Whatever is between us will be ending, and I need to prepare myself for it.I’m just happy we haven’t become more involved with each other than necessary. I’ve protected my heart, and I’m proud of myself for that. I can’t take much more loss, not right now—not right after Storm.
Shane asks Nathan a slew of other questions, but I tune them out as I finish eating. After another few minutes, Nathan saunters into the kitchen, looking happy as a clam.
“Oh,” he says, seeing me and smiling. “I didn’t know you were in here.”
“I live here,” I say flatly.
“Obviously, but I…” He stands there awkwardly, clearly unsure of how to handle my rejection, especially a mere hour after we nearly kissed in front of the camera while posing.
“I needed to eat,” I say. “I’m sorry for interrupting.”
“Is that Candice?” Shane says. “Come here. I’ll squeeze your interview in now if you don’t mind.”
“Sure,” I say, getting up from the table. I give Nathan an apologetic smile and walk into the living room. Shane motions for me to sit on the couch with her, but I take a seat in Gramps’s old leather chair. I won’t be directed around in my own home.
“I just have a few questions for you,” Shane says, not looking up from her notes. “First, what can you tell me about the mission of the rescue?”
