Page 38 of Infatuated
Iwake the next morning with a new sense of determination. Kasey’s words were toxic, and I bought into them for a minute, but I know who I am, and no one can take that away from me. ‘You’re too fat to wear that, slut.’ That’s what replayed through my mind throughout the night. I know I’m not a size zero, but I’m not fat either.
Screw her. I have the hottest guy at school back home who wants to date me.Except he fooled around with someone else as soon as you left.The insecurities in my mind creep up again, and I push them down. Tristan wants me. He already said I was beautiful when he saw me.He’s just trying to get in your pants.Ugh, my brain really needs to start working with me—not against me.
I’m up and ready to go for a ride. I grabbed a sketch book and a few pencils and shoved them in my small backpack. I leave a note for Mom and Dad that I’m going riding, so they don’t worry, and then step out into the cool morning air. The weather said it will be warm with a chance of a storm later on in the day, but the morning is going to be chilly.
I thought about heading straight to the barn but decided I should grab some food and maybe a few snacks. I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone. Liz is up and putting food out for everyone.
“Morning, Mrs. Ellis.”
Her smile lights up. “Good morning, Lana. Did you have fun last night?”
“The band was good, and I tried to dance with my two left feet.” I chuckle. “I was tired, though, and went back early. It seems Mom and Dad partied it up last night. They’re still asleep.”
She laughs quietly. “Oh, yes, those two tore up the dance floor. I wouldn’t be surprised if they stay in bed until noon! What are your plans for the day?”
“I was coming to get something to eat and a few snacks, then I’m going to go for a ride to the open field to sketch or read for a bit.”
The screen door opens, and Tristan comes into view. He kisses his mom on the cheek and looks at me. “Morning, Lana.”
I lower my eyes to the ground, avoiding his intense stare. “Morning, Tristan.” Kasey’s words come back in full force the moment I set eyes on him.
“Make sure you take someone with you today. It’s not safe to ride alone when you’re not used to it.”
“I’m going with her. I’ll keep her safe.”
She glances between the two of us and shrugs before wishing us fun and walking away. I grab a muffin and a few pieces of fruit, loading up my backpack. I try to ignore Tristan the best I can, but it seems to be of no use. He won’t stop looking at me.
I sigh and look up at him. “Do I have something on my face or something?”
“Are you okay? I don’t want things to be weird between us after what happened last night. I want things to be good between us.”
“Why wouldn’t they be?” I really don’t want to talk about last night with him. I just want to forget it happened. I’m trying to move past it, but if he keeps pestering me, I’m not going to be able to. “Listen, let’s forget it. I want to move past it and enjoy my last week here.”
“All right.” He doesn’t seem thrilled with my answer but lets it go nevertheless. “Come on, I’ll help you get Clementine saddled up, and we can go.”
He reaches his hand out for mine, and I stare at it for a moment. When I look up at him, he looks… hurt? I take his hand, and we walk to the barn in silence. He looks like he wants to say something, but at the last minute keeps silent.
“Thanks for dancing with me last night. I had fun up until… you know.”
“I’m so sorry about her, Lana. That was childish, and I made her go home right after that. I didn’t want you to leave, especially not while you were upset. I hoped we could have danced some more. Or maybe we could have found a dark corner and made out for a bit.” He gives me a devilish grin.
I blush at the thought. I would have liked that a lot, too, actually. Things seem to return to normal between us as he saddles the horses and helps me up.
* * *
We arrive in the field and tie the horses to a nearby tree in the shade.
“So, are we continuing lessons today?” he asks, a hint of excitement lacing his word.
“Among other things,” I smirk and sit on the ground, pulling my legs under me. “Can you tell me how your ranch got its name?”
He sits next to me, sprawling his long legs in front of him. “This ranch has been in my family for generations. It used to be known as Ellis Ranch and was a lot smaller. Instead of twenty acres of land, it was only about five acres, or something like that. My grandad bought a neighboring ranch after the owners suffered a bad few seasons and couldn’t keep it running.
“This land here,” he points out in front of us, “this is part of that old ranch. When he got it, there was a team of wild mustang horses that lived out here. The alpha was a black stallion. My dad said he used to watch the team run around when he was little. He even got to see some of the foals shortly after they were born.” Tristan gets a far off, dreamy look in his eyes.
I watch him intently. “What happened to the horses? To the alpha?”
“Grandad captured him and tamed him. The rest of them took off. Gage, my horse, is from that stallion’s line. When Grandpa opened the ranch up to the public, he changed the name in honor of that horse, andBlack Stallion Ranchwas born.”