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ChapterEleven
THEO
It’s the night of the ASJA gala. I’m dressed in a black tailored suit with a red tie. I went for the red tie because I know my piccola has settled on a red dress. Although we can’t go together as a couple, it’s our way of subconsciously showing our relationship without actually coming out and telling the world. We will be doing that in the next couple of weeks though. As soon as we have spoken with her father. It can’t come soon enough. I’m ready to start our lives together, show everyone how much my piccola means to me.
Christian Maxwell will be arriving in Wellington next week and, although there is a part of me that is nervous about telling him, there is a bigger part that is excited to get it all out in the open. I know it won’t be easy, there is no scenario I can think of that her father will be okay with us. It won’t stop me though. No matter what Christian thinks, it will not change anything. Obviously, I hope it will go as well as it can. I know how much Thalia loves her dad and I want this to be as easy on her as possible. I can only wish he will look past my transgressions and see the love I have for his daughter, the love we have for each other. Her mama supports us, so surely, he can, also.
I sigh, running a hand through my hair. Being hopeful is probably naïve of me. I mean, if I had an eighteen-year-old daughter and was told that her thirty-year-old trainer, someone I had trusted, was sleeping with her, I would kick his ass. I won’t give her up though. Thalia is still going to be mine no matter his reaction.
Stepping out into the lobby of the five-star hotel where the awards show is being held, I wait for my piccola. She messaged me a couple of minutes ago that she’ll be arriving shortly. It’s a stupid thing to do, me waiting here and walking in with her but I can’t seem to bring myself to care. Her father will know soon enough and then everyone will know.
I’m scrolling through my cell when I hear the uneven click clacking of heels against the floor of the lobby in the hotel. My head snaps up to find my piccola. My eyes widen and my jaw drops open at the sight of her. She is exquisite. Magnificent. Ethereal. My awe at seeing her suddenly turns to a frown as she hobbles towards me—Greg of course a step behind her—in high pumps. She shouldn’t be wearing heels with her knee. As she draws closer, I wrap my hand around her elbow. “What are you doing in heels?”
She pulls out of my grip, her eyes darting around, no doubt to check if we have witnesses. Seemingly happy, she faces me. “Flats don’t exactly go with the dress.” She waves her arms up and down as if to prove her point.
“Thalia,” I say in exasperation. “Wearing them will not do your knee any good.”
She pins me with a look that would make any man wither. “I’m going to be spending most of the evening in a chair at a table, my knee safely tucked underneath, Theo. I wanted to wear them. Stop babying me.”
I open my mouth to tell her I’m not babying her, I just don’t want anything hindering her recovery, when a voice chirps behind us.
“There you are. Thalia, you look gorgeous. I’m so glad you’re here,” Kiara says, pulling my piccola into a hug. My irritation rises at the fact that I’m going to have to share her tonight. I glance at Greg who, obviously sensing my annoyance, tries to smother a smirk. But I see it. The fucker.
“Likewise. Look at you,” Thalia coos back to her friend.
Kiara looks to me, to my tie, to Thalia’s dress, then back to me. Realization passes in her eyes and it’s in that moment I know she knows about us. Not that she will confront me. She knows better than to do something like that. Guess we weren’t so inconspicuous with our coordinating colors. “Everyone is seated for dinner,” she murmurs.
I nod, clearing my throat. “Come on then. Let’s get inside.” We all make our way to the ballroom and our table where Carter, Marissa, and Tessa wait for us. Thalia’s sister and Bishop were going to join us but the tables only seat eight people, so that put a stop to that plan, much to Aria’s disappointment. She wanted a night to get dressed up, to have Bishop on her arm and show him off, knowing her parents aren’t here. Tonight, is not that night though.
Carter, the asshole, shoves out of his chair and even though he’s dating Marissa, his eyes light up with lust at the sight of my piccola. My jaw clenches and my fists ball at my side. Even though the guy is arrogant, deep down I know someone like him is better for Thalia and would be accepted by her father. I think that’s what fuels my hatred for him.
Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t particularly like him before my piccola came along, but it’s worse now and I know it’s because of her. I know there is a tiny part of me that feels threatened by him. Not as threatened as I do by Parker, it’s clear her parents would love to see her with someone like him but threatened all the same.
“How are you feeling?” Carter asks sincerely.
“Better. A couple more weeks and I’ll be back on the horses.” Thalia beams at him. It’s a genuine smile that makes my chest hurt. I want all her smiles. I know that’s irrational but it’s how I feel.
“That’s great. It hasn’t been the same without you at the barn.”
“You were only there a week without me Carter. You went home, remember?” she chuckles.
Carter rolls his eyes in amusement. “Yeah, but it’s still weird.”
Marissa slides up to the side of Carter and although she’s Thalia’s friend, I don’t miss the way she places a possessive hand on his arm. “Carter’s right. We’ve all missed you. I have so much to tell you,” Marissa giggles. Thalia looks between the two of them, shooting her a look that says, “tell me”. Marissa sighs. “I went home with Carter and met his parents,” she squeals, almost bouncing up and down. Although she is excited about telling her friend this, I can tell it’s a way to assert her position with the asshole. Little does she know, my piccola has no interest.
“Oh wow. I’m so happy for you both,” Thalia replies earnestly before we all take our seats, my piccola situated safely between Greg and me.
A couple minutes later, servers arrive, placing our appetizers of smoked salmon and avocado bruschetta down. We all dive in, the table falling silent although chatter sounds out around the room. Taking a mouthful of food, I pause my chewing when I feel eyes on me. Glancing around, my gaze meets Dean’s, which is burning a hole through me. My eyes narrow on him. I jerk my chin, silently asking him what the fuck his problem is. He smirks, shaking his head then engages in conversation with an older lady beside him, who looks like his mother. I have only met her once or twice but from here I think it’s her.
A gentle hand on my knee pulls me back to my own table. I glance down at Thalia who smiles softly at me and gives me a gentle squeeze. I let out a breath, relaxing at just that little bit of contact. Jesus, I need this girl so much. It’s not just the sex, although that is fantastic. It’s the peace she brings me, the love I feel deep in my soul. I have only ever felt this way around her. I will only ever feel this way with her.
“I can’t wait to get over to Europe. Is it much different from the Winter tour here?” Carter asks dragging me out of my reverie.
Clearing my throat, I speak, “It’s the same regarding the rules because it’s an FEI event but it’s also a lot more relaxed if that makes sense. I think you will all enjoy it. And it will be good for you to see how they do it over there. Europe is the hub of showjumping and where most showjumpers base themselves. The competition in Wellington is good but it’s a totally different ball game where we’re going.”
He smirks. “It’ll be good to have some better competition, show people what I am made of,” he says arrogantly. Marissa beams up at him like he hung the moon and the stars, whereas I give him a droll stare. The idiot has no clue. His arrogance tells him he’s better than he actually is. He’s going to have a shock on the European circuit, that’s for sure. I won’t tell him that though. No. He can learn that for himself.
“Oh my God, I just noticed. You two are matching,” Marissa chimes in, pointing to me and Thalia. I’m thankful she stopped her boyfriend from talking, but the fact she noticed my tie matches Thalia’s dress tells me I should have just worn a fucking black one. I glance down at my tie as if I don’t know it’s red then to my piccola who is squirming in her seat. Acting stupid is the way forward with this, so that is what I do.
