I decided to hang out with Maddie for the day. I texted Jake before I left to see if Pegasus was doing ok.
Me: how is he?
Jake: better he is anxious. He isn't used to staying in a stall this long
Me: that's understandable
Jake: try not to have too much fun today ok
Me: no promises
I got dressed in black skinny jeans, a grey sweater and a white beanie paired with black boots with heels.
I slipped my phone in my pocket and went downstairs where Maddie was waiting. I kissed Bing on the cheek and hugged Lou. I ruffled Parker's hair out walked out the door with Maddie.
We hopped in her car and we drove to the mall.
"Ruff night?"
I looked at her and nodded. "Pegasus coliced last night."
She gasped. "Is he ok?"
I sighed. "Yea. He should be fine in a week but it was a close call."
"They needed you to calm him down didn't they."
I smiled. "Something like that."
She sighed. "Paige you have a gift. You get in horses heads and you understand everything they are feeling. You listen and that's not something a lot of people do."
I sighed. "I don't know Mads. I miss it more then anything but I don't know if I am do that again."
She smiled. "Only one way to find out girly."
We spent the whole day shopping and just gossiping. It was around 8 when we finally finished and my phone rang.
"Hello dearest brother."
"Paige Storm is freaking out."
"I'll be there as soon as I can."
Maddie nodded and sped to the barn. She parked her car and I jumped out running toward the barn with her at my heels.
Lou,Bing,Parker,Jake,and Kate were all by his stall. He was rearing and screaming and charging.
He saw me and flattened his ears. I held my hands in surrender. "I thought we called a truce."
He charged. "Guess not."
I looked around and saw barrels in the empty stall Infront of him. "It's the barrels."
Kate went to the empty stall and with Jakes help they had them out of his sight.
He was trembling and snorting. I ran my hand on his neck. "I know boy."
He sighed and I smiled. Kate looked at me with a sorry expression.
"I'm so sorry Paige. I didn't think about it."
In a way I was mad. All that hard work I did might have gone to waste and I would have to start all over.
I rested my head against his and he put his nose in my stomach. "It's fine. Can you just leave us alone for a few minutes?"
I felt Bing and Lou kiss my head and Parker hug my legs. Sunk into the shavings and leaned against the stall wall. I felt Jake sit down beside me and I laid my head on his shoulder.
"I leave for worlds tomorrow."
I looked up at him. "What?"
He sighed. "I leave for the world for tomorrow. First stop is France."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I haven't had time. And besides, I just won you over and now I have to leave."
I snuggled into his side and we watched Storm eat his hay.
"What time do you leave?"
He kissed my forehead. "Six."
"You should get home soon then."
He stood up and pulled me up with him. He lips met mine and I tangled my hands in his hair. This kiss was urgent and something we both needed.
He pulled away and leaned his head against mine. I didn't realize tears were falling until he brushed them away.
"It's just 6 weeks fireball. I'll be back before you know it."
I wrapped my arms around his neck and tucked my face into the crook of his neck.
"Don't forget about me."
I felt his body shake as he chuckled. "How could anyone forget about you?"
I pulled away and with one last kiss on the forehead he was gone. I sat back down in the stall and storm walked over,putting his nose in my face.
"I know boy."
It was around 10 at night by now and no one was around. I grabbed Storm's halter off the hook and quickly put it on. I took of his sheet and polos and quickly tacked him up.
I pulled the girth tight and put in splint and skid boots to protect his legs. I quietly walked him out of the stable.
We arrived at the ring that was barely used at the very top of the hill. It was away from all the barns and out of people's site.
I set the barrels up and let storm in the ring. I closed the gate and put the reins over his head so that they rested on his neck.
I got on the mounting block and placed my foot in the stirrup. I pulled myself up and sat up straight. I patted storm and walked him around the ring.
He looked intensely at the barrels and sniffed around the ring. I kicked him into a trot to loosen his muscles. His stride was smooth and flawless like always. I smiled.
I trotted him in and out of the barrels and around the pattern. He was tense but slowly he loosened up.
Now we needed to pick up the pace a little. I tapped my heels against his sides and he started cantering.
He snorted at the barrels but soon got the feel for them again. He dropped his shoulders on time and he spun around the barrels like he had done many times over the years.
I pulled him to a stop and patted his neck. I slowly dismounted and kissed his nose.
"Come on pretty boy."
I led him down the hill and to the stable. I put him in his stall and took his tack off. I put it on the rack hanging off his stall and put his sheet and polos back on.
I kissed him goodnight and shut his stall door. I turned the lights off and walked to my jeep. I jumped in and leaned my head against the headrest. I pulled out my phone and sent a quick text.
Me: I miss you so fucking much already.
Jake: one last sleep over?
Me: meet me at my place. Climb in through the balcony Romeo
Jake: I'll be there Juliet
When I got home everyone was asleep and I quietly walked up the stairs. Jake was already sitting on my bed and I rolled my eyes.
He was in grey adidas sweats and a black long sleeved tee shirt. He was laid back with his hands behind his head and he was staring at the ceiling.
I smiled. "I see you made yourself comfortable."
He looked over at me and gave me that million dollar smile. "Some one has to around here."
I rolled my eyes and grabbed a pair of white softies and a soft pink tee shirt. I quickly changed,ignoring him staring at me the whole time.
I laid down beside him and curled up into his side. My fingers traced the outline of his abs through his shirt. He shivered.
"You gotta stop doing that fireball."
I straddled his hips and my lips met his. He tangled his hands into my hair and I bit back a moan. I honestly wish things could stay like this. And ignore the fact that he would be gone for 6 months in a different continent. With most likely gorgeous girls.
He pulled away and smiled. "Let's get to sleep fireball. Do I have to remind you in leaving at the crack of dawn?"
I shook my head. "How could I forget?"
I curled into his side and closed my eyes.
..................
I woke up the next morning and saw that I was alone in bed. I grabbed the pillow he slept on and curled up into a ball. I saw a small note under the pillow.
Sorry I could be there when you got up. Hold down the fort for me. See you in six weeks.
Love,Jake
Ps. You better not be crying right now.
I laughed. I took the note and put it on my bulletin board in my room. Then my phone buzzed.
Maddie: ice cream and horror movie marathon?
Me: you know it.
Maddie: be there in 20
I went downstairs where Bing was getting Parkers stuff ready to go to a friends house.
He looked at me and smiled sadly. "He left?"
I nodded and sat on the barstool beside Parker. Bing kissed me on my forehead and picked up Parker and his bag.
"Be back in a few!"
I rolled my eyes. I grabbed a Gatorade and walked up to my room. I laid down on my bed and I heard Maddie stomping up the stairs.
She opened the door and gave me a mega watt smile. She had strawberry cheesecake and chocolate ice cream with spoons in one hand and horror movies in the other.
She set the ice cream in my bed and put in Insidious. She grabbed her chocolate ice cream and she sat down beside me. She was wearing pink sweats and a grey tee shirt.
"Wanna talk about it?"
I shoveled a spoon full of ice cream in my mouth. "What's there to talk about? He is gone for six weeks across the globe. Meeting gorgeous girls and forgetting about everything here. I know I did when I was traveling. Nothing else mattered but me and storm. "
She sighed. "You also started traveling when you were 12. You were young."
I shook my head. "You know I wish I could do it again. To be back out there."
She smiled. "I know girl. Someday right?"
I nodded. "Someday."
For the rest of the day we watched horror movies and pigged out. Around 1 Maddie crashed and I went to take all the dishes and trash downstairs. Once I finished I climbed upstairs and climbed into the bed beside her.
I missed him even though I didn't want to admit it. And I honestly couldn't think about that right now. I had a show in 2 days and I had to prepare for it.
(pegasus pictured)