The Biker's Fate Chapter 195

Kim

"OKAY, BOY, IT'S now or never," I crooned. "You got this."

I nodded to the judges, the buzzer sounded, and we took off. We jumped clean, but now it was time for the oxers. Fozzie was on his left lead, so I slid my right foot forward and left foot back and squeezed, doing a flying lead change and focusing dead-ahead on the double. Up and over he flew, then again, didn't even touch the rails and I realized Knight had been right. We finished the round with two seconds to spare and I let out a giggle that surprised even me as I slapped Fozzie on the neck. "Good boy. You are amazing."

I bowed again to the judges and we headed out of the arena.

"Well, that was about as perfect as any round could go," Knight said from his place at the rail.

Thank God I didn't see him, or I probably would have fallen off. "Thanks."

He closed the distance between us and held Fozzie while I dismounted. "How'd you feel about that lead change?"

"You were right. He sailed over the oxers."

Knight nodded. "You're a gifted rider, Kim. Even if you hadn't listened to me, he would have performed for you."

I met his eyes and bit my lip. "What are you doing?"

"Whattya mean?"

"You're being nice. Why are you being nice?"

Knight dropped his head back and laughed. "Babe, I'm always nice."

"To me. You're being nice to me."

"Fuck me, Kim. I'm always nice to you, too. You just won't pull your head outta your ass long enough to figure that out."

I yanked Fozzie's rein from Knight's hand and scowled at him. "Well, perhaps you should stop trying."

"One day, sugar, you and I are going to have a conversation longer than a minute where you won't be able to run away from me."

"I don't run away from anyone."

"Your fear's blinding you, Kim, and I'm fuckin' done with it."

"Ohmigod, Knight, who the hell do you think you are?"

He slid his hand to my neck and tugged me forward. "I'm the man who's gonna help you pull your head outta your ass."

With that, he turned on his heel and sauntered away. I let out a frustrated growl. "I thought this show was for horses only. I didn't realize jackasses were permitted," I said with a sigh...not that my horse cared. He was watching Knight walk away. I shook my head and started to lead Fozzie toward the stalls.

"Kim! Wait up," Ellie Waters said as she rushed toward me. "How do you know Aidan Scott?"

Aidan Scott was the trainer if you wanted any shot of making the U.S. Olympic Equestrian team. He cost a mint, but he took riders to the top, so he was worth it. I'd never met him, and I couldn't imagine a time when I would considering I had no plans to go to the Olympics.

"I don't know Aidan Scott," I said.

"Um, hello, you were just talking to him."

Lights began to blink behind my eyes as realization dawned. "I'm sorry?"

"Aidan Scott is the hottie you were just talking to." Ellie frowned. "Are you okay?"

"Yep, I'm fabulous."

"So, how do you know him?"

"Um, he's a friend—emy... frenemy. Why?"

"He's like the best trainer in the world, duh! Ohmigod, Daddy tried to get him to train me, but he's booked out like years. If you're friends, or whatever, can you put in a word?"

"With Knight?"

If Knight is in fact Aidan Scott, it's quite possible I might kill him. But the truth was, Aidan might be a somewhat common name in the world, but in our circles... not so much. If I didn't put two-and-two together that they were one in the same, that was on me. My stomach roiled.

"Who's Knight?" she asked.

"The "hottie" I was just talking to," I said, feeling a little like I was in the "Who's on First" sketch.

"You call him Knight?" Ellie let out a loud sigh. "Oh my god, that's hot."

"Ellie"—I snapped my fingers—"Focus."

"Right." Ellie giggled. "So, will you talk to him?"

"Wait, you're serious?"

"Yes, I'm serious. He only trains a couple people at a time and right now he's training Marcus Simons and Morgan Flay."

My breath left me. Marcus and Morgan had both been accepted to the American Olympic team. Morgan wasn't even sixteen yet, but she would be once the events started. How I never put together that Knight was Aidan Scott, I'll never understand.

"Kim? You okay?"

"Hmm? Yes, sorry. Look, Kni—ah, Aidan and I aren't really that close, but I can talk to Dani for you and see if her husband can talk to him."

Ellie threw herself into my arms. "I love you! Thanks, Kim. Seriously."

She ran off and Dani rushed toward me. "You won! Get back in the arena, they've been calling you."

"What? Seriously?"

"Yes, go!" she demanded, and gave me a leg up.

I guided Fozzie back to the judges, received my blue ribbon (the money would come later), and then headed back to the stall. Dani followed and we began the process of packing up.

"You were amazing," Dani said.

"Thanks." I slid from Fozzie's back and loosened the girth. He let out a big sigh of relief.

"You okay?"

"Did you know Knight was Aidan Scott?" I asked, sliding the saddle off as Dani held Fozzie.

"Who's Aidan Scott?"

I sighed. "He's the go-to trainer for anyone wanting to be on the Olympic equestrian team."

"Shut up!" she breathed out.

"Right?" I set the saddle on my tack box and faced her again. "He never said a word."

"But why would he?"

"Dani."