Read Online Elite Ambition by Jessica Burkhart - Free Book Online

the bad guy because I cared about him too much.
But it’s his decision,
I reminded myself.
    I pulled out my phone and typed a quick message.
    Want 2 meet aftr my riding lesson?
    It took Jacob seconds to respond.
    Of course. Txt me when ur done.
    That made me smile and feel a little less sick. Just seeing him would make me feel better. More than anything, I wanted to try and see if we could make it as boyfriend and girlfriend. And, even though I hated thinking about how Callie would look at him when she knew the truth, I knew deep down that my relationship with Jacob couldn’t start with lies. Not too long ago, I’d gotten caught up in lies I’dcreated to protect people I cared about. But they’d only ended up backfiring. Jacob was right—we had to be honest and make a clean start. I picked up Charm’s tack and walked down the aisle, thinking about what I was going to do. I’d tell Paige on Friday morning too. Then, the truth about what happened at my party would spread over campus. I’d be exonerated, but Jacob …
    Charm, always in tune with me, put his head over the stall door as I approached.
    â€œHi, gorgeous,” I said. “Ready to work?”
    Charm snorted and, laughing, I put his tack on the trunk outside his stall. I slid open his stall door and led him out in front of his stall. I glanced up and down the aisle—all of the crossties were full.
    â€œWe’ll stay here, then,” I told him. He didn’t move as I clipped the lead line to the ring under his chin and used a slip knot to tie him to the black iron bars in front of his stall.
    His coat was already shiny: Mike had groomed him after my morning lesson. All Charm needed was a quick once-over with the body brush and he was ready to be tacked up. I led him to the outdoor arena. We were warming up when Heather and Brit rode in together.
    They split up, and we worked our horses in separatespaces of the arena while we waited for Mr. Conner to arrive. Charm, high-strung, fought my hands and asked for more rein as we trotted around the arena.
    I sat deeper in the saddle, trying to force my weight down into my heels.
    â€œNo,” I said. “Trot.”
    Charm yanked his head and the reins seesawed against his neck. He tried to break into a canter, but I checked him.
    What is going on with him?
I thought. He was acting as if he hadn’t been exercised in months.
    He settled for a second, but I kept my eyes on his ears. Both of them pointed forward and I knew he wasn’t listening to me. I did a half halt and pulled gently on the reins, asking him to walk. But he kept trotting and ducked his head.
    â€œN—”
    I couldn’t even get the word out. Charm bucked, sending me flying through the air. I twisted in the air and landed on my shoulder like I’d been taught. But the impact of my body hitting the ground stunned me. I gasped for breath and didn’t move—too shocked at what had just happened.
    Hoofbeats neared me and just as I sat up, Brit andHeather reached me with Charm in tow. Brit jumped out of her saddle while Heather held Charm.
    â€œAre you okay?” Heather asked.
    I nodded, taking a shaky breath. “Fine. Just got the wind knocked out of me.”
    â€œWhat happened?” Brit asked. Her wide eyes flicked over my face and her skin was pale.
    â€œI don’t know,” I said, standing with help from Brit. “He wasn’t listening to me when I asked him to slow. I knew he was going to buck when his head went down, but it was too late for me to stop him.”
    Next to Aristocrat, a contrite-looking Charm had his head low to the ground. He wouldn’t look at me. He knew he’d messed up.
    â€œIt happens,” Heather said. “Sometimes, there’s no explanation for it. But seriously. You landed pretty hard. Do you want to see the nurse just to make sure everything’s okay?”
    â€œAw, are you worried about me?” I asked,