Racing Hearts
Chapter Ten "You Have Me, No Matter What."
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Annabelle POV Friday May 21st(Same day)
I was shocked when I received a text back from Paul. I'm here. I looked out my window and sure enough he stood there in a pair of jean shorts. I put a jacket on since Forks was cold even during the spring and flew down the steps quietly. I opened the front door and met Paul outside.
"What's wrong? Are you okay?" Paul was at my side at once. I bit back a smile. He really was protective. I sat down on the steps and patted beside me. He sat down.
"I'm okay...I just needed someone to talk to." I sighed. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't of messaged you, you're supposed to be on patrol."
"It's okay. Quil took over. You're more important than patrol." Paul assured me and then he looked away. I smiled at him, already feeling better. It's like a weight had been lifted from my chest with him here. That's what the book had said, I would feel better when we were together. It would be harder when we were apart.
"Thank you." I spoke softly. "I read a book Sue gave me. It told me a bit more about imprinting and the legends, well they're not really legends they're real. But it gave me an insight into how you're feeling."
Paul looked at me then. "Look I'll be the first to admit I didn't want an imprint. I don't want to be like Jake or Quil or Sam. I wanted to choose, ya know? And I have a bit of a temper so I thought I was a bad choice to have an imprint."
I nodded and he continued. "But that doesn't mean I won't be here for you when you need me. I'll be whatever you need and-"
Paul was cut off when we saw a person in front of us. Jeremiah. Crap. "So I leave and you immediately call him?"
Paul and I jumped up. Paul stood protectively in front of me, worried about the edge in Jeremiah's voice. "I know you're one of the Cullen's...what do you have to do with Annabelle?"
"She's my girlfriend." I cringed when he said those words. I wanted to tell Paul myself not this way.
Paul turned and looked at me with a look I couldn't even describe. "Oh. She didn't tell me that."
"I wanted to. I was getting ready to. I wanted to do it in an easy, gentle way." I told him. "I don't want to hurt you."
Paul nodded but I could see the strain in his face, feel his body frame shaking. "She's my imprint and she needed someone to talk to. That's why I'm here."
Jeremiah didn't look happy. "Yeah, I know she's your imprint." Jeremiah said the word like it was a horrible word. I sighed. "But she's not your girl."
Paul's shaking increased and I slowly started pushing him towards the woods. "Paul, please calm down."
Jeremiah followed us and I turned around on him. "Are you trying to start a fight?"
"Maybe." He replied darkly. I felt Paul push against me.
"No! Paul stop! Please." I looked into his eyes and pleaded. Paul looked torn. He had just admitted to having a temper and here Jeremiah was testing him. In the open where people could see. But the thing was because of the imprint, Paul wanted to make me happy. And what would make me happy is him not fighting.
Paul stepped back and looked at me. "I'm going to take a run okay? 'Cause I don't want to disappoint you and if I stay, I will. Text me if you need anything. I'll text you back when I phase back."
"Be safe." I told him as he walked away. Once he was gone, I turned to face Jeremiah.
"What is wrong with you?!" I nearly shouted at him. "What is your problem? Are you trying to make things bad between the Cullen's and the tribe again?" Bella had told me all about the tensions before Jacob had imprinted on Nessie. Now they all, for the most part, got along. Jeremiah could ruin that.
"He needs to know his place." I was shocked at his words. Where was this side coming from?
"His place?" I asked incredulously. "Are you joking?"
He grabbed me by the arms. "You're mine. Not his." He snarled. I tried to yank myself out of his arms but his grip was tight.
"Let me go." I whispered with fear. "Let me go!"
The front door opened and Uncle Charlie stood there. "Annabelle? Jeremiah? Are you okay?"
Jeremiah released me. "We're fine Charlie. Just talking." I walked towards the house wanting to get away from Jeremiah.
Charlie looked frightened when he saw my face. "Are you crying? What's wrong?"
I wiped my face and sure enough there were tears. "Nothing. Just a little fight." I half smiled at Charlie. He pulled me inside the door and stood in front of me.
"You need to leave." He told Jeremiah, the threat clear in his voice. Jeremiah may be a vampire but Charlie made it clear he wasn't going to put up with him.
"Annabelle-" Jeremiah started but Charlie cut him off.
"Leave. Now." Behind Jeremiah, a Volvo pulled up. It was Edward and Emmett.
"Alice called. Let's go home Jeremiah." They both pulled him to the car and Charlie closed the door, locking it.
"Are you okay? Did you tell him?" Charlie asked and pulled me into an awkward hug. I nodded, not wanting to speak. My arms hurt and I'm pretty sure I would be bruised in the morning. Charlie wouldn't be happy. Neither would Bella or Paul.
"I should get some sleep." I pulled myself away and started towards the stairs.
"Anna, you need to be careful around him. Please." Charlie told me. I smiled at him.
"I will be Uncle Charlie." I went up to bed and locked my window. I didn't want any visitors tonight.
I texted Paul saying I was going to sleep and I hoped he was okay. I was asleep before he texted back.
…...
Saturday, May 22nd
I closed my car door as I stepped out at the Port Angeles track. Nerves bubbled in my stomach but I had to come see Lucky and Andrew at the track. It was race day. I wore a long sleeve shirt, I was lucky it was cold. My upper arms had hand print bruises on them from last night, like I predicted. I couldn't let anyone see.
Andrew and Roger greeted me when I walked into the barn. "So I was thinking let's just take him around the track this morning so he can stretch a bit. A little trot, canter."
I smiled. "Good, yeah, just let me get my boots on." I changed from my sneakers into my riding boots. Andrew handed me a box once I was done. "What's this?"
"Open it." He smiled at me. I opened the box and I saw racing silks with the farms colors and logo. Light gray and deep blue with rain drops falling down within a small circle. There were also a pair of white pants that I would wear during the race. "We thought since you're now one of our jockeys, you should have your own silks."
I jumped up to hug him and Roger. "Thank you! This means so much to me!" I put the silks and pants back into the box, not wanting them to get dirty. I quickly brushed and tacked Lucky up. Lucky nudged me with his nose. "We're going mister impatient!"
I saw trainers and exercise riders, so many, at the track already. Horses were being exercised, warmed up. People just talking, watching. I could see a few pairs of eyes turn towards me. I saw a few familiar faces, not personally to me, but I knew some of the jockeys standing around from watching races or from them riding for Jack.
Andrew gave me a leg up so I could exercise Lucky. "Ignore all the other people. Focus on Lucky. Watch out for other riders, horses. You're new. They'll expect you to get out of the way."
I nodded and turned Lucky out towards the track. I kept him to the outside where slow riders were supposed to be. I posted to his smooth trot and stayed alert for other horses. After a little distance, I asked for a canter. Lucky responded eagerly and I kept my reins tight. No need for a surprise gallop.
Our workout went without incident and they traded me Feisty for Lucky. I did the same workout with Feisty as I did Lucky and it went smooth too. Thank goodness because it was too early for any craziness. I dismounted her and followed Andrew so we could hook her up to the walker. My first race was on Lucky in the third race. It was a maiden race. Which was only for horses that hadn't won a race yet. Lucky had yet to race so of course he hadn't won one.
Andrew, Roger and I got some breakfast after we put the horses away. We went over the races I would be in, they pointed out other jockey's racing styles and how the horses ran. Lucky was the second favorite for his race and Feisty was a favorite for hers.
"You need to get Lucky in the middle of the pack on the outside. When you're coming into the homestretch let him go. If he fights you to get into the lead and he's getting too worked up, let him have it. But I really doubt he will. He's a mid pack horse. Now for Feisty..." Andrew and Roger continued to talk with me about strategy.
By mid-afternoon, my nerves were full blown. Charlie, Sue, Katie and Seth had arrived. "It's gonna be okay Annabelle." Katie reassured me as she and Seth sat in the barn with me. Charlie, Sue, Andrew and Roger went to get drinks. The Cullen's were on their way. Luckily it was cloudy out, not sunny. I noticed Seth and Katie were a bit stiff when I mentioned the Cullen's coming.
"What's wrong?" I asked them. They exchanged a look with each other. I sighed. "What is it?"
"I saw what went on between you, Paul and Jeremiah last night." Katie confessed. "Even at the end with Jeremiah."
I felt shocked. I hadn't even thought that maybe Katie had seen us. "I was there with Katie and then I saw the whole thing through our pack mind when I met up with Paul." I remembered the pack members minds were all linked up. Well kind of. Jacob's pack and the La Push pack.
I bit my lip. "It was a little tense." I admitted. "But I handled it the best I could."
Katie pursed her lips and tapped my shirt sleeve. "Do you have bruises?"
"It's not that bad." I said hesitantly. Seth gently pulled my sleeves up and they both gasped at the bruises.
"Oh my goodness Annabelle. Not that bad? That's horrible!" Katie cried out. I put down my sleeves in a rush.
"I don't know what got into him. He's never been violent before." I told them. "Please don't tell Charlie. He's already angry enough cause he saw part of it. Definitely don't tell Paul. He'll flip."
"Don't tell Paul what?" I turned at the voice I had already become accustomed to in the last day. Paul stood there, flowers in his hand. I couldn't help the smile that took over temporarily.
"Are those for me?" I asked reaching towards him. Paul pulled them back with half a smile.
"If you tell me what you're hiding." I bit my lip again.
"How about I promise to tell you after the race?" I bargained. Paul thought about it for a moment.
"Deal." Paul handed me the flowers. "Yes, they're for you." They were blue daisies. "Seth said you'd like the blue because it's the farm's colors."
"I love them. Thank you." I smiled at him. Katie grabbed them from me.
"Let me put them in water." She said, pulling Seth along with her. Try to sneakily give us privacy.
"So what are you doing here?" I asked Paul. Don't get me wrong. I was glad he was here but I didn't expect it.
"Well you said you loved racing and it definitely came off as important to you. This matters to you so I thought I'd come see what it's all about." A warmness flooded through me. He was here solely because he knew it made me happy?
"Thanks Paul. It means a lot." I said honestly. He ducked down his head.
"Are you okay after last night? He didn't do anything to you did he?" I nodded my head.
"I'm fine. Charlie came out, Edward and Emmett showed up to make him leave. Everything is fine." It was at least half the truth. The rest would come out later.
"Annabelle!" I heard the young voice of Nessie and then was almost tackled by her when she hugged me.
"Hey Nessie." I smiled down at the little girl. "How were the horses this morning?" Since I had to be here early for the workouts and races, Nessie and Alice were responsible for feeding the horses.
"Good. Twilight was being a little stubborn but once he was outside he started playing with Secret." Nessie told me excitedly and went on about the horses. I smiled at her excitement.
"That's great Nessie. You did a great job." She beamed at my praise. I looked up and met Paul's eyes. He had a sad smile on his face and I wondered what was wrong. Bella and Edward came into the barn, looking amused when they saw Nessie wrapped around me.
"She couldn't wait to get here and tell you all about the feeding." Edward chuckled. Edward and Paul's eyes met briefly. Bella looked at me. Edward had to know, did Bella? I didn't ask.
"So where's everyone else?" I asked, really wanting to ask where Jeremiah was. Edward cleared his throat.
"Carlisle, Esme, Emmett, Rosalie and Jacob went to find seats. Jeremiah is at the house." Edward said with a pointed look at me. I was kind of relieved. "I told him it was best to stay home."
Relief came over me again. I didn't need any drama today, I needed to be worry free and clear headed. Andrew and Roger came back into the barn.
"Time to head to the jockey room, Annabelle." Roger said to me. My stomach clenched and I looked at Paul.
"Hey, you'll do great." Paul tried to reassure me. "I'm betting on you."
"You're betting on me?" I asked in disbelief. "It's my first race."
"I know, but I have faith in you." His eyes smiled along with his face. Everyone wished me good luck and I followed Andrew to the jockey's room. He stopped when we got to the door.
"This is where I leave you." Andrew gave me a smile. "Ignore any rude comments. Get dressed and come on out to the paddock." Andrew handed me my box that held my silks and then handed me a gray duffel bag with the farm's name on it. "That's yours too. Keep your silks and any other racing stuff you'll need the day of the race in this."
…...
Paul POV May 21st, evening time
I followed Quil up to the Clearwater's house. Sue had invited us both for dinner, knowing our families were out of town. It was either that, eat alone or watch Sam and Emily be sickening while eating. I didn't feel like cooking or getting food so I chose the Clearwater's. No sickening imprint shit there.
Quil chuckled but didn't anything as we came in sight of the house. Standing on the porch was a girl with blonde hair. That's when I remembered Seth had imprinted and this was his imprint, Katie. Well I guess they couldn't be too sickening with Sue, Charlie, and Leah there. Better than Sam and Emily's.
Quil and I both greeted her when we got on the porch. She smiled back at us and asked us how we were. Quil started talking to her but I just stared off towards the forest while we waited for Seth to get here. I saw an orange colored Jeep pull up(I couldn't help but admire it, being a car fanatic). Seth and a girl got out and walked towards the house.
Katie and the girl greeted each other like they were best friends and they turned to walk into the house. My eyes met the girls and that was it. Everything I thought was important...wasn't anymore. Nothing else mattered but her. And she was so beautiful.
Her light brown hair flowed down past her shoulders and she had the most beautiful colored brown eyes like the color of the trees in the forest. She smelled like the mountains when you were surrounded by the pine trees and the rushing water creeks and I detected a bit of an animal smell to her. Horses, maybe? I could smell the sickly sweet smell of leeches and figured she had been at the Cullen's, just like Seth. Did the Cullen's have a thing for another human? I knew they had another vampire apart of their "family" now. They had supposedly saved him from death.
I came a little bit out of my dreamy world when she ran into the door jamb. She had been too busy staring back at me with a shocked look on her face. I followed everyone in but I could feel the trembling, the shaking.
Dammit, I had imprinted! I didn't want this. I wanted a choice in who I loved, who I wanted to be with and now that was gone. But I couldn't help but stare at the girl. I needed to know her name, know her. I felt the pull towards her but didn't dare take a step in her direction. Not with myself losing control, I knew I should go outside but I couldn't get myself to move away from her.
I saw the look Quil and Seth exchanged, I knew they knew I had imprinted. They both grabbed my shaking body and pushed me towards outside. I didn't want to leave the girl but I knew it was best for her safety. Her safety and happiness was my top priority now. As soon as we were outside I ripped off my shorts and phased.
I nodded my head towards the woods telling them I was going to run. I needed time to calm down and think. Quil phased to join me. I'll run with you man, I know how shocking it can be to imprint.
We ran then and I felt the tugging pull telling me to go back to the house, back to my imprint that I didn't even know.
Don't fight it Paul. Get to know her. Talk to her. This imprint could be great for you. I know mine has even though it has it's setbacks. Quil told me.
We ran some more and Jake's scent crossed my path. I stopped by the beach and saw him talking to her out on the beach. Probably telling her all about the imprint. I phased back and walked towards them.
I asked to talk to her. Jake smiled at us both and left, but not before warning her to move away if I got shaking. I really did need to work on my temper if I was going to have an imprint. We introduced ourselves and I learned her name was Annabelle. What a beautiful name for a beautiful girl.
We talked about the imprint and I explained the best I could. My anger flared a bit when I thought of her just accepting because she thought she had to. And my heart squeezed painfully when she asked if it would hurt me if she rejected the imprint. I honestly didn't want her to reject the imprint. Quil was right, this could be great for me. When she suggested we exchanged numbers, I felt excited.
"So you hang out with the lee—The Cullens?" I managed to correct myself at the last minute. Didn't she say something about Bella was her cousin? I'm sure it wouldn't be appreciated to call her cousin a leech. I would have to watch myself.
"Yes, Bella is my cousin and I keep my horses there." She said to me. Horses, I was right.
"You have horses?" That was interesting. Horses were great animals.
"I have three. A mare and two babies. Thoroughbreds. I'm also a jockey for a friend of Seth's. I have my first race tomorrow."
"Oh yeah? That must be exciting." I tried to sound supportive but...she raced? Like that racing that I saw on TV where horses were flying down the track and the riders got thrown or the horses fell or the riders fell and injured...
"It is. I've been doing it since I was thirteen." A pause of silence. "Is something wrong?" She asked and I'm sure she noticed I was shaking.
"Just um, it scares the shit out of me that you race. It's a dangerous sport." I said to her. I got an imprint that did dangerous things..this was go wonderful. I finally managed to stop my shaking.
"It is dangerous." She smiled and I felt warm inside. "But I've only fallen once in a workout and it's something I love doing."
"You're crazy." I laughed as I called her crazy. Luckily she laughed with me.
"I've heard that before. Doesn't bother me." She told me. There was a howl from the forest. Damn, it was my turn for patrol. I don't even know why we patrol so much anymore. The Cullen's weren't a threat and there hasn't been a leech here in awhile.
I sighed. "I've gotta go. I'm supposed to be on patrol."
"Oh, okay. Well have fun." She said as we stood up.
"I'll try." I started to walk away. I could feel the pull, telling me to stay.
"If you get a break or get bored, you could always text me." She blurted out. I turned around and smiled.
"I will." With that, I took off for the forest.
Later after she texted me and I arrived at Charlie's, I texted her again to let her know I was there. Here. I saw her look out the window. A minute later, the front door opened. I went to her immediately asking if she was okay. She told me she needed someone to talk to and I was glad I was the person she called on.
She told me she had reading a book Sue had given her and that it gave her more insight into what I was feeling. I was in the middle of telling her I'd always be there for her when I smelled a leech. Protection mode came over me.
"So I leave and you immediately call him?" It was the newest Cullen, Jeremiah. I jumped up with Annabelle and stepped protectively in front of her. What was he doing here?
"I know you're one of the Cullen's...what do you have to do with Annabelle?" I asked him, not moving. He seemed a little edgy. He wasn't going to hurt my imprint.
"She's my girlfriend." Almost gloating, he stared at me. A little bit of betrayal ran through me. Of course, I couldn't really be betrayed by her because...we weren't together. But I had to imprint on the girl that was with a leech? Wasn't this some Jacob and Bella shit! I looked at her and she looked apologetic.
"Oh she didn't tell me that." I said.
"I wanted to. I was getting ready to. I wanted to do it in an easy, gentle way." She said and I heard the little, almost unnoticeable pleading in there. She didn't want to hurt me. "I don't want to hurt you."
I nodded but I strained to control myself. "She's my imprint and she needed someone to talk to. That's why I'm here." He wasn't going to have her without a fight. I would fight all I could to have my imprint.
Jeremiah didn't look happy. "Yeah, I know she's your imprint." He basically spat the word and acted as if it was a curse word or something. I could hear Annabelle sigh. "But she's not your girl."
My shaking increased and I knew I had to leave if I didn't want a fight. Sam would kill me if I started anything..maybe he would understand because this leech was trying for my imprint. He was starting it. I felt small hands on me and saw Annabelle was pushing me towards the woods. She had a little bit of strength to her, probably from riding.
"Paul, please calm down." Annabelle pleaded with me. She was still pushing me towards the woods. The leech followed and Annabelle turned on him.
"Are you trying to start a fight?" She almost hissed at him.
"Maybe." He replied darkly and I pushed against her hands. Was he really willing to put her in the middle of this? Willing to risk her safety? Of course he was. He was a soulless leech who didn't truly care about her or he wouldn't even risk being around her.
"No! Paul stop! Please!" Annabelle met my eyes and she pleaded. She didn't want us to fight. I was torn. I really wanted to tear into that leech..but I didn't want to disappoint her. I didn't want to risk her safety. My temper didn't help. But the imprint and the needing to make her happy, overrode everything.
I stepped back and looked at her, the beautiful girl that the spirits chose for me. "I'm going to take a run okay? 'Cause I don't want to disappoint you and if I stay, I will. Text me if you need anything. I'll text you back when I phase back."
"Be safe." I heard her say as I walked away. I hated leaving my imprint there with a leech but I had to. And he really wouldn't do anything to her, I thought. Bella would kill him herself. I phased back and Quil felt my anger. (Quil is in Italics, Paul is in bold)
What's going on? He asked. I let him see the encounter I just had and he growled. Damn him. She's dating him? And is he trying to start a war?
I don't know, he's an idiot leech. Yes, apparently they're dating. She hadn't gotten the chance to tell me yet. I feel like it's going to be drama all over again.
Well dude, it's gonna be hard if she wants to stay with him. And it won't be like before, Jake...well he just thought he loved Bella cause of Nessie. You actually imprinted on Annabelle. The spirits chose her for you!
Doesn't mean she has to like me. I felt angry...but under all the anger was hurt and pain. I wanted my imprint now that I had imprinted on her. I'm not going down without a fight though, I will fight for her.
That's the Paul we all know and love. Quil chuckled. Go get some sleep. Didn't she say she has a race tomorrow? You should go. Be supportive. Show her you're going to be there in everything for her.
You're right! I'll ask Seth where she's racing and meet her there. That'd be the start of the plan to get her to like me. I took off running towards my house and phased back when I got there. My dad was asleep and I quietly let myself up to my bedroom. Setting my alarm, I got undressed and went to sleep. I had a race to get to tomorrow.
…...
Annabelle POV, where we left off at the races
I thanked Andrew again. I took a deep breath and walked into the jockey's room. I was immediately met with numerous stares, I kept walking until I found a free space. Immediately there was a hand in my face, I looked up into the face of a young boy about my age. He had dark brown hair, blue eyes and had a small wiry, athletic frame like most jockeys.
"Hi, I'm Jason, I figure you could use a friend in here." I took his hand and smiled at him.
"Thanks, I'm Annabelle." I told him.
"So you ride for Andrew Wilson?" He asked as we put on our racing silks. I nodded.
"Yeah, I just started a couple of months ago. I used to ride back in North Carolina til I moved here." I buttoned up my shirt. "Who do you ride for?"
"Not any particular farm. Just whoever I can get rides from. Today it's Green racing stables here in Port Angeles. Okay horse, won two races, filly. We'll be in the fifth race with the fillies. Then I have a maiden horse in the fourth race and this race."
"I wish you good luck then. I'm also riding in the fifth race. On Ring Of Fire." I told him. He smiled.
"I'll really need the good luck then, she's a great filly." Jason said to me. I smiled back at him.
"She is. I'm riding My Darkest Wind in this race. It's his first." We talked until it was time to go out to the paddocks. We wished each other good luck as we went to our separate horses. I met Andrew and Roger at the number two stall where Lucky was. Luckily we had a good post position although, I really wasn't going to be on the post.
We went through the strategy again and Andrew gave me a leg up. He led us to the pony rider waiting for us so we could warm up. I trotted Lucky and then did a small bit of cantering. The nerves were eating at me. My first race was really happening.
When we were done warming up, we went to the gate. We waited as they loaded horse number one, a black colt named Dark Knight that gave a little bit of trouble when getting in the gate. Lucky walked right in with no trouble and I patted his neck. There were eleven horses. Jason and his horse were two down from me. I gathered my reins and pulled down my goggles. They were almost done loading horses.
I positioned myself and it was quiet for a moment. Then the bell rang and the gates flew open. Lucky flew from the gate and so did the other horses. I was surrounded. I kept calm and thought about how to get Lucky on the outside. Dark Knight was on the rail beside us, horse number three was in front of us, Jason's horse was just at Lucky's flanks. I had to get him over to the outside where Andrew and Roger wanted us. I gave him a little bit of rein to move past Jason's horse and pulled him into an opening on the outside.
I felt heat beside me and saw Jason beside me. He grinned at me. I tried to focus on Lucky. We were coming into the homestretch now. There were three horses in front of us and Jason beside us. When we hit the straight I let Lucky go.
And we flew. Lucky kicked into another gear and took off. I held onto his mane to keep my seat. We passed one horse, then the second and finally the third. Lucky ran as fast as he could. We were in the lead! I looked briefly behind me and saw the horses were at least five feet behind us. I laughed with joy as we crossed the finish line.
We had won! I pulled Lucky up as the other horses caught up. I brought him to a trot and a pony rider met us with a smile. "Good job, Kid." He said to me. "Winning your first race together."
"Thanks!" I smiled back as he led us to the winner's circle. I saw Andrew and Roger waiting with smiles on their faces.
"Great job!" Roger praised me as we came into the circle. We posed for the picture and then I dismounted. Andrew grabbed me in a hug and spun me around.
"You did amazing! That was a wonderful race and Lucky looked great!" Andrew smiled at me as we walked out of the winner's circle.
"Lucky did it all. I had to do nothing. He ran his heart out." I patted Lucky's sweaty neck. "Plenty of treats for you big boy." I kissed his face. We all walked back to the barn together and I handed Lucky off to Chuck, who would cool him out. We walked into the barn and I was met by pretty much everyone. Katie hugged me first and Seth joined her. I hugged them back.
"You were great!" Katie said with a smile. "I mean you just left all those others horses in the dust!"
Charlie hugged me tightly. "You looked good, Anna. But you scared the crap out of me." I laughed.
"Uncle Charlie, it wasn't that bad. I was mid pack and then by myself. Very uneventful." I told him. He pulled back.
"He kept going between cheering for you and not looking." Sue said, looking at Charlie with amusement.
He grumbled something about us ganging up on him. Nessie came forward next. "That was so great to watch." She said excitedly. "Are you gonna do it again?"
I nodded. "In about an hour I have another race. This one is a little bit more important." I know Feisty and I really needed to place in this next race, if not win. She needed to keep winning races so she could be entered in the Breeder's cup races this October.
"Well how about I buy the winning jockey some lunch before she goes back out?" I looked up and saw Paul smiling.
"I think I'll take you up on that offer. I'm pretty hungry now that my first race is over. If that's okay?" I looked at Andrew and he nodded but he tapped his watch, reminding me that I had to be in the jockey's room at least fifteen minutes before the race to be weighed in. Everyone else congratulated me on the way out.
Paul and I went to the cafeteria and got in line. I grabbed a sandwich and an orange with a water, Paul grabbed two sandwiches, two bananas, and a water. When I gave him a look as we were walking towards a table, all he said was "It's a wolf thing. I'm always hungry."
I nodded as if it made perfect sense to me. We sat down at a table in the corner by ourselves. "So do you make good money as a jockey?" Paul asked. I snorted. Of course a guy would ask about the money.
"I guess so. Andrew and I have agreed I'll get a riding fee of fifty dollars a ride and if I win, I get ten percent of the winnings, second and third place I get five percent. Andrew and I have worked it out so I'll still a percentage no matter what I place. He says it's only fair." I said taking a bite of my sandwich.
"So what will you get from today's races?" Paul was downing his sandwich fast, it was kind of freaky. I bit back a smile.
"Well for Lucky's race—that's the horse I was just riding—I'll get twenty five hundred dollars, the purse was twenty five thousand dollars. Feisty, if she wins, I'll get forty five hundred dollars, the purse is forty five thousand dollars. She's won a good amount of races and is in a higher place than Lucky." Paul's eyes widened.
"You're possibly walking out of here with seven thousand dollars with just two races?" Paul sounded envious.
"If she wins, yes. If not it'll be about two thousand per ride." Paul shook his head.
"I need to be a jockey." I laughed at him. Paul could never be a jockey, he was too tall and heavy. I knew he was joking though.
"Well I only make that much because I have a good boss like Andrew and Roger. If I was starting out new without knowing them, I'd probably be making nothing because no one would want to risk hiring me." I told him. "No one really wants an unknown apprentice jockey."
"Well I'm sure Andrew and Roger are happy they hired you." Paul said with a smile. I smiled back.
"I hope so. I want to do good for them because they've given me a chance and they were taking a risk. But with them, I'll always have guaranteed ride. They only have one other permanent jockey and they need another one. Of course I'll have the small time horses and I'm fine with that. I don't want to ride in the big races just yet." I smiled. I was so lucky. "Of course I have a feeling that Lucky is going to be a big time winner. He's got the speed and heart."
Paul was still smiling. "And he's the one that just won?" I nodded. "Well that's good because I put down fifty dollars on you two to win. That means I just made a hundred dollars."
My mouth dropped open. "You bet fifty dollars on my horse?" I was in shock. How could he potentially waste his money like that?
He shrugged. "Sure. I told you I believed in you. And I doubled my money, so everything is great."
I shook my head again but let it go. We were done eating and I needed to get to the jockey's room. "Well I have to get back to the jockey's room before my next race."
Paul walked me to the door of the jockey room and wished me good luck before he left.
…...
Annabelle POV
I wanted to let out a scream of happiness as Feisty and I crossed the finish line. First race I won and second race I got second place. Most people wouldn't be happy with second but I was very pleased to even place! I pulled back her reins and walked her to meet Andrew and Roger at the opening.
"That was great!" Andrew was beaming at me. "You handled everything perfectly."
"I think she would of won if we hadn't got boxed in. By the time we got free there was no chance of getting her up front." I said, sliding off her.
"And that's okay." Roger said, patting my back. "Second is wonderful. You've done so much more than we expected. We just wanted you to get out there and do what you could. You gave us a first time win with Lucky and a good race with Feisty."
"Thanks. You guys gave me an amazing chance and took a big risk." I said to them both, thankful again for the chance.
"You're the best risk we've ever taken." Andrew smiled. My life was going so great.
…...
Jeremiah POV
I huffed as I looked at the damage I had done after everyone had left. At least twenty trees laid down, snapped in half. Esme's pots with her flowers in them were broken. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
I needed to learn to control my temper. No one has seen this side of me. I didn't tell them about my temper back home. I didn't want them to think differently of me.
Annabelle...well...she just pissed me off. Standing up for the mutt. She was already going to his side whether she said it or not. She was MY girlfriend! Just cause he thought he had some stupid, freakish claim on my girlfriend didn't mean anything.
She was still mine. Not his. Mine. And it would stay that way. I thought of the look on her face when I grabbed her. That fear on her face. I felt horrible for it. But she needed to know that what she thought was something between her and Paul was not real. What we had was real, we didn't need "the spirits" or anything else. We had found something great without needing any help. That meant more than any imprint.
She would realize and leave the mutt alone. Of course today Edward had suggested, well kind of threatened me, that I should stay home from the track today. Not show up. So I didn't but the anger had grabbed ahold of me. I had flipped out in the forest. I picked up the broken flower pots and replaced them with spares in the garage. The trees...well I guess I could play that off as I was just playing around but had ended up doing more damage than I thought. I'd have to keep my thought censored around Edward.
I heard cars coming down the driveway and I heard six human heartbeats. Annabelle must be with them. I couldn't wait to see her.
…...
A/N:First of all, sorry if I get anything wrong at all! I used to be so into horse racing, especially when I started this story. I haven't watched it or read anything race related in a good while. So if I get the jockey amount wrong or the betting amount wrong, I'm so sorry! I googled most of the stuff like the jockey percentage and it said 10%. The betting thing came from yahoo so I hope it's correct. If not, feel free to correct me!
Well here is yet another chapter for you readers! So soon too! But I was on a writing roll I started this almost right after I posted the last chapter. So what do you think? I hope you like it! It might be two weeks or so before I update again because I want to update other stories that I haven't updated in awhile and update my other stories. But I hope to not be too long!