Titan’s rippling body is nothing but power beneath me. He’s carrying me away from the world, with only Trick at my side. I glance to my left and see that he’s watching me. He smiles, a smile that could nearly unseat me, and then, much to my surprise, he moves easily ahead of me.
I urge Titan faster and he responds. But not enough. With every second that passes, Runner moves further and further away.
When he reaches the tree line at the trail head, Trick pulls Runner to a stop and turns to wait for me. I’m only a few seconds behind, but still…
“Wow!” I say when I bring Titan to a halt. “He can run!”
Trick leans down and pats Runner’s neck lovingly. “He’s got what it takes. He’s just a little rough around the edges is all.”
Trick’s expression makes me wonder if that’s how he sees himself—like he’s got what it takes, but he’s a little rough around the edges. Obviously, people see something in him or he wouldn’t be here. My father is very picky about who he lets work with his horses. But he’s also one of those people you can rarely ever satisfy. It makes it hard, especially for those who don’t know him like I do.
“Still up for a trip to the lookout?”
“I’m game if you are,” I reply.
Trick grins, that grin that makes me want to eat him up even though I barely know him. “Oh, I’m game all right.”
With that, he nudges Runner onto the trail and I follow. When the path widens, Trick moves to the left so I can ride alongside him.
The horses are enjoying the leisurely walk. The woods are quiet around us, but I feel like every living creature in a ten mile radius ought to be able to feel the tension between us. It’s practically tangible and completely irresistible.
“So how long have you lived around here?” I figure the question is innocuous enough, hopefully enough to camouflage my intense interest in him.
“All my life. Well, except for the past few years.”
“Where were you then?”
“College.”
“Seriously? What school?”
“Clemson.”
“What’s your major?”
“My major was veterinary medicine.”
“Was? Aren’t you going to finish?”
Trick shrugs. The gesture is nonchalant, but his face tells the real story. This is a sore subject, something he’s not very happy about.
“Maybe someday.”
“How much longer do you have?”
“Less than a year. Just a few classes actually.”
“What? Why would you not finish then?”
“Things happen. I’ll finish one day.”
“What could be so important that it can’t wait a few months until you finish school?”
He glances over at me, his expression unreadable. “Family,” he says, dead pan.
“Surely they understand. I mean—”
“It’s not a matter of them understanding. It’s a matter of a dispute against my father’s insurance money after all these years and my mother being unable to make it on her own.”
I flinch a little at the bitterness in his voice. Of course, I’d probably be bitter, too.
Pieces of Trick start clicking together. The sad thing is, the more I’m around him, the more I get to know him, the more fascinating and perfect the picture becomes.
“So you put your life, your future on hold to come back and work to help her until…”
“Exactly.”
We both get quiet after that. I’m lost in thought, as I’m sure Trick is. Even though I feel bad for him—having to give up his dream when he was so close—I respect him so much for putting his family first. I don’t know many people who would do that, especially not people his age.
I think of Brent. He’s a good guy, but can I see him doing something so selfless? Sadly, I can’t say for sure that he would.
As I’m thinking back over the conversation so far, something occurs to me.
“Your dad’s insurance money? What happened?”
Trick says nothing, just looks over at me. His face is pretty much blank. He doesn’t look mad. Or sad. Or irritated. He just looks…like he’s thinking. I wonder if he’s considering how much to tell me.
“I’m sorry. That was a really nosey question, wasn’t it?”
His lips twist into a wry grin. “It’s all right. I, uh, I just…” He trails off and his discomfort with the subject starts making me uncomfortable, too. He continues before I can change the subject, though. “My father killed himself a few years back.”
And he drops the bomb. Just like that.
CHAPTER TWENTY - Trick
I watch Cami’s mouth open and close a half dozen times. It was mean to do that to her. I know how hard a time people have trying to find something to say after that. But she asked.
I’m not sure if I wanted her to know so it would scare her off or because I don’t want her thinking I’m a complete loser. The problem with the second is that I shouldn’t care.
But I do. Too much.
“Trick, I…I’m…I really…”
“Look,” I say, stepping in to let her off the hook. “It was a long time ago. Don’t worry about it. It is what it is. Doesn’t change what’s happening now.”
“Your poor mother…”
“Yeah, she’s had it kinda rough. Grace, too. Luckily, she was pretty young, so she’s doing all right now.”
“Grace?”
“My younger sister.”
“How old is she?”
“Ten.”
“Does she…I mean…”
“Nah, she’s doing great. She’s a freakin’ mess, but in a good way, I guess.” I laugh, thinking of how excited she gets just waking me up. That’s proof that she missed me, that she needs me at home. At least for a little while longer.
I can tell Cami’s still uncomfortable. She’s frowning like she’s trying really hard to think of something to say.
“So what about you? Where are you going to school?”
“University of Georgia.”
“What’s your major?”
“It was pre-law, but I changed it to business.”
“Ahhh, planning a hostile takeover of the family business?”
Cami laughs. I love the sound. It’s throaty and sultry. Makes me want to do more things to make her laugh just so I can hear it.
“Knowing my father…”