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“Of course not. You can ride Titan. I’ll saddle up Cookie,” I tell him as I walk toward him. Going up on my tiptoes, I brush my lips against his.
“Who’s looking after Jacob?” Zara asks, her voice tinged with annoyance. Looking past me, he glares at her.
“He’s with my parents. I’m not going to leave him on his own, Zara.”
“I was just asking.” She pouts.
“Right! Let’s get going,” Savannah announces, breaking the awkward silence that’s descended. “Zara, I’ll help you mount Marley.” Taking Marley’s reins, Savannah leads him outside and Zara follows, glancing over her shoulder at Jack and me.
“Thank you,” I whisper to Jack once we’re alone.
“What for?” He wraps his arms around me, dropping a kiss on my hair.
“For being here.”
“Always, baby.”
Ten minutes later and we’re all heading away from the stables. “Can we go and see the lake where Mason proposed to Libby? She was telling me about it a few days ago. It sounds so romantic,” Zara says.
“Erm… sure, we can head that way.” I’m a little taken aback at her request. She doesn’t seem the romantic type, but if that’s where she wants to go, it’s fine with me. I just want this afternoon to be over. Jack is taking me on a date tonight, and I can’t wait to be alone with him.
Conversation while we ride is a little slow, and we’re reduced to discussing the weather and other menial topics. I really have nothing in common with Zara, so I’m struggling to make conversation. Thankfully, Savannah is more than happy to chat, even if she is asking things I’d never dare to.
“So, Zara,” Savannah starts. “How are things going with Jacob? I bet he’s changed a lot since you last saw him?”
My eyes widen and I steal a glance at Zara, whose face is like thunder.
“They’re going good. Great actually,” she bites out. “Can we go any faster?” she asks after a few minutes. “It’s a little boring.” We’re riding at a steady pace, knowing this is her first time on a horse. I glance at Sav, who rolls her eyes.
“Yeah, I guess,” I tell her. “If you just tap your heels, he’ll go into a trot.” I watch her do as I say, and Marley takes off in a trot. She bounces a little in the saddle, a small yelp coming from her. “If he’s going too fast, pull back on the reins,” I shout as I nudge Cookie into a gallop. Before I can reach her, Savannah screams behind me.
“Jack!” she cries, and I turn just in time to see Titan rearing up. As if in slow motion, I watch in horror as Jack is thrown from the horse. Fear engulfs me as I force Cookie to stop. Jumping from her, I race to where he’s landed, my heart in my mouth. He’s on the ground and unconscious. Dropping to my knees, I panic as I see blood on the ground.
“There’s blood, Savannah. He hit his head. Call nine-one-one,” I cry.
“Oh my God! Is he okay?” Zara asks as she falls to the ground next to me.
“I don’t know. He’s not awake. We need an ambulance, now!” I take his hand in mine, my thumb stroking his skin. “You’re going to be fine, baby,” I whisper, my voice catching.
“The ambulance is on its way. I’m going to take Marble and meet them. They’ll never find us out here otherwise,” Savannah says. Her hand squeezes my shoulder, and my scared eyes find hers. “Are you okay?” I nod as silent tears roll down my cheeks. “He’s going to be okay, Aria.”
“Please hurry, Sav.” I watch her ride away on Marble before looking back at Jack. Blood is beginning to pool on the ground beneath his head, and I know I need to try and stop the bleeding. Dropping his hand, I pull my tank over my head.
“Help me, Zara. We have to try and stop the bleeding.” Her hands shake as she gently lifts his head. Placing my tank on the back of his head, I hold it against the wound, praying it stems the bleeding. His face is pale, and as I brush my fingers across his cheek, his skin is cool but clammy. I hope the ambulance gets here soon.
I don’t know how long we’ve been waiting for help, but it feels like hours and Jack is still unconscious. Zara hasn’t said anything since asking if he was okay, but tears streak down her cheeks. Despite not liking her, she looks as scared as I feel.
“They should be here soon. They have to be.” Her eyes meet mine and she nods. Picking up her hand, I squeeze it and she smiles gratefully at me.
A few minutes later, I hear the welcomed sound of an emergency vehicle in the distance. “Oh, thank God,” Zara mutters, dropping her hand from mine and standing. She waves her arms, and within minutes, the ambulance pulls up. Two EMTs jump out, and after briefly explaining what’s happened, I reluctantly step away from Jack. My whole body begins to shake as I watch the EMTs work on him. Savannah appears by my side and pulls me in for a hug.
“Where’s your shirt?” she asks as I shiver in her arms. “Are you cold?”
“She’s in shock, I think,” Zara answers from beside me. “She used her top to try and stop the bleeding.” Pulling out of the embrace, Savannah removes her shirt, leaving her in just a tank.
“Here, put this on. Are you going with him in the ambulance?” I nod, unable to find my voice. “Hey, Aria. Look at me.” She waits until I lift my head. “He’s going to be okay.”
“God, I hope so, Sav. I can’t lose him,” I whisper. “I’ve only just found him.”
