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ChapterTwenty-Two
THEO
It took everything in me to walk away from my girl and back to my apartment. Everything in me not to rip my piccola’s hand from that fucker when he grabbed her. I had to remind myself several times that soon she will be mine again. That he will be the one heartbroken because he lost her. It’ll be him having to watch me hold Thalia’s hand.
When I walked away from her, it felt like my heart was breaking all over again. I felt the distance between us in that one conversation. My piccola didn’t think she was mine anymore. She’ll learn soon enough. She’ll know that she is mine, has always been mine, no matter how much time or distance separated us.
My cell buzzing in my pants pulls me from my thoughts. I quickly fish it out, expecting it to be Thalia, then remember she doesn’t have my new number. The word “Mom” flashes on the screen and I smile, swiping it open. My parents, even after the fallout with my father and the consequential estrangement over the years, have been amazing through all this shit. I couldn’t have gotten through the last year without them, that’s for sure.
“Hey, mama,” I greet.
“Hey, darling,” she says softly. “I was just checking in and making sure you’ve settled into my home country.”
“Of course.” I chuckle.
“Good. Now I wanted to talk to you about our trip. Your father and I will be flying into Milan on the fourteenth of May. We are hiring a car, so you don’t need to worry about us getting to you,” she rushes out. “Then we will make the journey to San Giovanni, which is around three hours from Milan. I’ve booked an Airbnb around five minutes from the showground. Does that sound okay to you?” she finishes, sucking in a breath.
I love the way my mother worries, although she doesn’t need to, I am nearly thirty-two years old, for Christs sake. That being said, I am excited they are coming to watch me compete. It’ll be the first time they’ve ever attended a competition, which is a huge step after I chose a career in showjumping and not PR like my father expected. “Yes, mama, that sounds great.”
She hums before speaking again. “Is she there?”
I don’t need to ask which “she” she’s referring to. My parents are aware of my history and feelings towards Thalia. “She’s here,” I sigh.
“Time to get your girl son.” I hear the smile in her voice, and I’m grateful for her support.
“I know what I need to do, mama.”
She is silent for a long beat. “I saw some pictures of her in a gossip magazine, she really is beautiful, son. Stunning.”
I drop down on the couch with a smile. “She is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, mama. Nothing and no one compares to her,” I agree.
She lets out a dreamy sigh before speaking. “Okay, well I’ll let you go. Look after yourself and I’ll talk to you soon.”
I grin. I know she wants to ask more questions, but she doesn’t. “Bye, mama.” With that I end the call. I’m glad that I have my parents in my corner but damn my mother needs to leave the stuff to do with my piccola alone. I know Thalia better than anyone and I know what I need to do.
* * *
Two days later, I’m making my way down to the stalls where I know Tessa has Beau saddled up and ready for me to ride. It’s only five days until the competition starts and, although my horses are in the best shape of their life, they still have a high-level training regime which I like to stick to. Today includes pole work and jump training.
I’m on the messaging app on my cell debating whether to send my piccola a good morning text message or not. It hasn’t escaped my notice that she has been avoiding me for two days and ignoring the messages I have sent. I’ve allowed it, but only because I’m giving her a few days to get used to the idea that I’m back.
“Theodore Rhodes? I thought you had quit showjumping and become a full-time father,” a feminine voice stops me. I look up to find Laney Murdoch stepping in front of me.
I stop, annoyance coursing through me. I like Laney well enough, but I loathe the fact that she assumed something and automatically turned it into fact.
“Yeah? Why’s that? Just something you made up or is that the gossip on the circuit. I thought you were better than rumors, Laney.” I don’t hide the bite in my tone.
She squints, her whole demeanor straightening like she’s getting ready for an argument she knows she won’t win. “I didn’t mean to offend you, Theo, but you just... disappeared. World ranking number one showjumper and then boom. Gone.”
I run a hand through my hair, my eyes narrowed on her. “I had personal issues to take care of. Which is none of yours or anyone else’s business. People need to stop speculating and get on with their own lives.” I don’t mean to take my frustrations out on Laney, but I guess you can say in some twisted way I blame her for taking Thalia away from me. I know it didn’t happen like that, but still.
Laney huffs. “You know what this sport is like, Theo, everyone gossips. Like I said, I meant no offense.” She smiles, wagging her finger at me as the tension surrounding us eases. “Now don’t think you can just come back on the scene and take away my best paying trainee. I know how much she loved training with you, and I don’t know why she left, but you stay away,” she says in jest, but I can hear the underlying worry in her voice. And she has every reason to be worried because I will be taking my piccola back. In every way.
“Your trainees are none of my concern, Laney,” I lie because I don’t want anyone knowing my business... yet. Not until Thalia is officially mine. “I’m here to remind everyone that I’m the best, that’s all. No need to feel threatened by me. Well, apart from in the arena.” I wave her off.
She eyes me. “I don’t doubt that; if anyone can prove themselves, it’s you. Have a good day.” I watch after her for a long beat. Laney Murdoch should feel threatened. I know how it works and she’ll be earning a small fortune from having Thalia train with her. I should know, I earned more from the Maxwells in those eleven months than I did from any of my other trainees. What with training fees, stabling, and commission from horses she bought through me, having my piccola at Rhodes Farms was worth a lot of money. In the beginning I saw her as dollar signs, but it became more than that after only a couple of weeks. I cared more about the girl than the income I could make. Even though I’m sure that Laney cares about Thalia in some capacity, there is no doubt in my mind she sees what I first saw.
Money.
