Page 66 of The Jealous Girl

My momentary pride dissipated instantly.

I was too high. Too exposed. Unbalanced and unsteady.

My grip tightened on the reins as my body locked.

‘Hang on a sec,’ Charlotte said, as she reached for her phone in her pocket.

I turned, my stomach dropping. ‘What⁠—’

She turned her back, pressing her phone to her ear. ‘Hello?’

My pulse spiked. She was taking a call now? Seriously? I hadn’t even heard it ring. How could she allow herself to get distracted at a time like this?

The horse lowered his head, nuzzling the railing. I leaned forward slightly, curiosity slipping in despite myself. He lifted his head and tugged his reins.

‘What’s he doing?’ I asked, my voice tight.

Charlotte glanced back at me and chuckled. ‘He’s trying to untie his reins. Spook’s good at that.’

I froze. I was on a horse that knew how to escape.

I glanced back at the gate, wishing I’d ignored Charlotte’s instruction to leave it open.

Spook stomped his hoof. I gasped as the saddle shifted beneath me again. Every muscle in my body tensed. Were saddles supposed to move from side to side like that?

It’ll all end in tears.

Janine’s voice echoed in my ears. Though I don’t think she ever had this particular situation in mind.

Spook tugged again.

I could see it already. Him breaking free. Bolting. And me, trying to cling on as the saddle slipped and I hit the ground.

I shook my head. I couldn’t do this. Without a second thought, I flung my right leg behind me and leapt down from the saddle in one quick movement.

‘What are you doing?’ Charlotte asked as my feet hit the ground with a thud.

I didn’t answer. I didn’t need to.

She sighed, tucking her phone back in her pocket. ‘You didn’t even try.’

‘I did,’ I shot back.

She snorted. ‘I doubt Ryan will see it that way.’

I glared at her as she took Spook’s reins and led him back to the stables.

No. I took a deep breath. He probably wouldn’t.

Something told me she would make sure of that.

I tried to shake the memory away as Charlotte shrugged. ‘I am surprised you stayed in Dorset. Why didn’t you leave when you and Ryan broke up?’

‘It’s my home.’

She shook her head. ‘It’s Ryan’s home. He brought you here.’ Her tone betrayed her distaste of that fact. ‘You had no job. No commitments. No family. Not even any friends. Just him.’ She arched an eyebrow as she stared at me. ‘So why stay somewhere you had nothing?’

Her words settled heavily between us, blunt but accurate. Back then I’d had nothing. Except him.