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Totally Fine
The stable handleads Butterscotch outside the barn to meet up with Jake. Once I mounted her, she wouldn’t budge.
Out of body, I watch as the stable hand hands me the reins and leaves me and this horse to do it all on our own. My heart gains speed as I cling to the straps of leather and make the mistake of looking at the ground.
Jake smiles when he sees us, oblivious to my angst. “Ready?” he says, and starts turning his horse in the direction he wants to take me. He makes it look so easy.
“Yep.” I say it too forcefully. Like I’m trying to prove I’m okay.
You are okay. You’re okay.
Totally fine.
It’s not long before he’s yards ahead, so I rock forward in my saddle to tell the horse to go. Give her sides a little bump with my heels.
She shifts uneasily on her feet with a nicker.
“Come on,” I coax, watching Jake get farther away. “Let’s follow Jake, now.” I rock forward again.
She doesn’t budge.
Shit.
Usually anything with a vagina will follow right after him. Maybe she’s broken.
I look back for the stable guy but he’s nowhere to be found, so I consider calling for him. I then think back to all the memories I tucked away of horseback riding. What did my aunt teach me? I feel like using my heels was the main way to get horses to go. I didn’t do it hard enough.
“Trouble getting started?” Jake calls.
I jump and turn back to face him with heated cheeks. His lips pressing together to contain a chuckle aren’t helping the embarrassment. I know what he’s thinking—she should have just ridden with me.
Not a chance.
He comes trotting back to help. “Just give her a little nudge with your heels and flick the reins”
I did the heel thing already, but I didn’t flick the reins, so I go for it. Her sides jump, and she takes a step forward and stops. Lazily shakes her mane. I look to him for guidance. What am I doing wrong?
He assesses, pulling his horse to a stop. “Well, first, you need to relax a little.”
“I’m fine,” I lie.
“No, I mean literally. Relax your shoulders. Unclench that gorgeous ass of yours…”
I give him a look.
He smiles. “The horse can feel if you’re uptight. Just take a breath and relax.”
I sigh an emptying sigh. Okay, sure. So maybe I am a tad uptight.
And my ass is clenched.
“Been awhile?” he gathers.
“Yeah,” I admit.
I roll my shoulders and release another breath.
“It’s Ruby’s horse, though,” he muses. “She should be used to riders with sticks up their asses.”
