Longshot: A New York Times Bestseller

by Mike Rogers

  Giving her the most sizzling stare, I ignored her and got ready to go to the track. After greeting Longshot and Harry, I hurried down to the track. Lucero spotted me before I saw him.

  "Sarah!" he called, beckoning me over. After riding a couple of horses, Lucero kept me stoutly at his side. I had no idea why and I was beginning to become concerned. For days now, I had executed this act of normalcy, when emotions were still constantly bombarding my mind. Right at that moment, I wanted to make Lucero feel as uncomfortable as I did. It was so hard, day after day, to hold my tongue.

  Then, there was Arthur the backstabber. He urged Lucero to get rid of me as soon as possible. Here he was, approaching very cautiously. His glance straying between me and Lucero. Afraid because Lucero might launch at him for speaking to me. Ha! They were perfect buddies in the parking lot.

  My eyes must have revealed how angry I was because Arthur gave me an intense questioning stare. Abruptly, I turned from him and stared at the track.

  During that whole time Lucero moved himself noticeably between the approaching Arthur and me. And let me tell you, that action did not go unnoticed. One person was Chrissy, who from her perch on a horse gave me her raised eyebrow look. I shook my head.

  The other individual was none other than Kay. She was holding Chrissy's horse. Her glare became even more evil when Lucero moved back toward the rail, standing right beside me. Our arms, shoulders, and hips touched. He was even leaning into me a little. And there was nothing I could do about it. Mobs of people came to watch the workouts. Many of the big players were having their final workouts before the Breeder's Cup. I was squashed. Lucero had a foot between him and the person to his right, but he just had to stand close to me.

  I tried to fight panic. I couldn't let on that anything was wrong. Lucero called out to a rider, shouting something, pointing his hand. Moving his hand back, he bumped me. "Oh sorry, Sarah," he murmured, placing a hand on my arm.

  I couldn't take it any longer. He was being much too nice, plus disturbing. I was supposed to be mad, not finding myself forgiving him.

  Seconds before wrenching away, I looked at him. I didn't know that I looked so small, scared, and vulnerable. Turning, I ran like a women possessed. I heard Lucero calmly name, but continued to run.

  I just didn't understand. How could people act like nothing was wrong when I hurt so much inside? That day, I left the track and didn't come back for two days.

  Two days gone and it was now two days before the Breeder's Cup. I came in after morning workouts.

  Those two days I did some soul searching and thinking. Yet, I still had no idea how I would confront Lucero. Well, he gave me little choice in the matter.

  He was waiting for me to say the least. His concentrated stare followed my approach. Making eye contact, he gestured toward the office, then turned and walked in.

  Taking a deep breath, I entered and shut the door. Lucero watched me from behind his desk. His face was stoic, showing no emotion. Not trusting myself to speak, I seated myself in the chair opposite staring at my folded hands.

  "So," Lucero started in an even, controlled voice, "are you going to tell me where you were? You weren't at home. I called and even went to you apartment."

  I knew he was going to ask that. "I just needed to get away to think. That's all." Still, I kept my eyes downcast.

  "That was thoughtful. Deciding to take a hiatus the week before the Breeder's Cup. Plus, not tell anyone about it." There was a definite sarcastic edge to his voice.

  Immediately going on the offensive, I snapped, "Life doesn't always choose the most opportune times!"

  Looking up, I met his gaze. A self-satisfied smirk played across his lips. I had fallen into his trap, but didn't know what it was. Lucero said, "What problems are you having right now?"

  "That," I said crisply, "is none of your business."

  Leaning forward, he said, "It is my business if it's going to affect how you ride my horses on Saturday. You used to tell me everything. Remember all those nights we sat up talking? Many times, I was comforting you. This jockey or that owner insulted you in some way. Most times, you stayed the whole night."

  I felt a blush creep up my neck to my face. "Well," I said harshly, "look where that got me! Jobless!"

  With that simple statement, I gained the upper hand. Lucero's eyes narrowed to slits. Pushing back the chair, he stood leaning over the desk. "When will you get over that? It's over! The past is gone!"

  He made a pretty good liar. A day ago, I would have broken down and cried with all the knowledge I had learned. Today, I was able to say quite evenly. "No. It's not over. It haunts me everyday. Ever since I've come to work for you again, I'm reminded of it constantly. People's actions, events, innuendoes…" I trailed off, glanced at Lucero, and looked away. Before I could say anything else, Lucero picked me up out of my chair.

  "What have you heard?" he vehemently spit out. His hands tightened on my shoulders.

  Taken totally by surprise, I looked at him wide-eyed. How had I given myself away?

  "Well!" he snapped.

  Overcome by stuttering, I couldn't say a word. Struggling, I wrenched myself out of his grasp, running down the barn. I wasn't fast enough. Hands clamped around my arms swung me into a small niche along the aisle way. His body pinned me into the nook.

  With his face just inches away from mine, he said, "You will tell me whom told you and what information you were told. Otherwise, there will be consequences."

  Not able to find my voice, I just shook my head.

  "Fine," he whispered smiling, "Now or later, it doesn't matter. We'll just have to stand like this all day…Let people think what they like."

  My temper snapped, "I will not be treated like your ex-wife with kisses being snatched in every nook and cranny!"

  Something in him snapped too. He somehow found a way to get closer. "How did you know about her?" When I refused to respond, "Answer me!"

  "Nothing ever stays a secret at the racetrack," was all I said.

  Shifting his position against me, he leaned right up against my ear. With his breath tickling my skin, he murmured, "Then, you much obviously know why I divorced her." Before waiting for an answer, he took my earlobe between his teeth and gently tugged.

  Releasing me, he abruptly turned and strode away. Feeling utterly drained, I sank down onto the floor, touching my ear, trying to get a handle on my feelings. Little did I know I was being watched by a pair of very sinister eyes.

  I really didn't know what to think. Yea, I knew the facts, but some of the reasoning was still a mystery. The only thing getting me through was the fact that I was "retiring" after the Breeder's Cup. I would leave everything behind.

  Heading to the track the next morning again brought me face to face with Kay. This time was a little different. Her tear streaked face looked murderous when she spotted me. She stalked up to me, furiously swiping away the tears.

  Suddenly, she gave me a violent push before shouting. "It's all your fault! You're going to regret this! You can't have him!"

  Holding up my hands and backing away, I said, "I really have no idea what you're talking about."

  "Huh!" Kay snapped disbelievingly, "Weaseling into his good graces five years ago! Turning him against me! I almost had you taken care of, but you had to come back! I've lost him forever! You won't get away with it! Mark my words." Shoving me again, she strode off.

  Down at the track, I was up on Longshot, giving him his pre-race day gallop. Chrissy was up on Gambit, galloping alongside.

  "So," I said nonchalantly, "I didn't see Kay working this morning. What's up?"

  "Oh, you didn't hear?" Chrissy asked sounding surprised. "Bobby fired her." She continued on excitedly, "And let me tell you, it was about time. She acted like she owned the place! Bobby only kept her on by the goodness of his Longshot. She never quite let him go. Geez, any woman who was even remotely friendly to Bobby, she chased off…except you that is."

  Giving her a sideways glance, "Ch
rissy…"

  Leaving out a long exaggerated sight, "Oh, fine! I admit defeat. The two of you are hopeless!"

  At ease once again, we laughed and chatted back to the gap.

  "Hey, Harry!" I called as Chrissy and I walked through the gap. Something inside of me clicked. Finally, I was at peace with myself and my situation, past and present. I guess you could say I grew up. Still I was nervous about Lucero. That was no regular encounter the day before.

  Swing my leg over, I slid off of Longshot. One foot didn't land quite right, causing me to trip back slightly. A pair of warm hands provided a steadying grip. Glancing back, Lucero's face was inches from mine. "Thank you," I murmured, blushing slightly. Gently moving away, I smiled.

  Lucero's face visibly relaxed at my expression. "You seem to be in a good mood today," he said in a slightly mocking tone.

  Taking that as a signal that all was going to be well, I said as I followed him along the rail, "I am actually." From there I wasn't sure what to say, considering what out previous conversation had been like.

  Rather impulsively it seemed, he swung an arm around my shoulders. What memories that brought back. Many press photos would depict us in a very similar position. It was all fun and games then. I guess you could have called us inseparable. We just had so much fun together.

  Standing at the rail, we watched in easy silence as horses worked out. Every once in a while, Lucero would shout something out to one of his riders. His arm still rested around my shoulders.

  As usual though…the peace never lasts. Chrissy, wonderful Chrissy, wandered down to stand with us. Lucero glanced around me and said hello. Chrissy gave us a speculative once over. Then, I looker over at her. What a mistake!

  One eyebrow inched up her forehead. Immediately shifting, I tried to move out from under Lucero's arm. Barely even paying attention to me, he just moved to keep me right where I was.

  Now, Chrissy's other eyebrow joined the first.

  "Chrissy," I beseeched.

  Shaking her head, she whispered in my ear, "On this matter I will never believe you again. Ten years from now you'll thank me for being so irritating."

  Reaching over, I playfully punched her on the shoulder. Feeling me move, Lucero leaned around and said jokingly, "You two behaving yourselves?"

  "Of course, brother, darling. We were just discussing Sarah's future." I have no idea how she maintained that innocent smile.

  "Oh." Lucero shifted so he could see us both better. "Anything to do with me?"

  What kind of question was that? Are these two plotting something? I had no time to ponder my thoughts.

  "Well—" Chrissy began to answer.

  "Nothing important!" I quickly improvised. Then, I realized how desperate that came out. No words popped into my head to remedy the situation. I believe the perfect phrase is "grabbing for straws". Lucero chuckled in obvious amusement.

  So, what did I do the day before my first Breeder's Cup? I didn't leave Lucero's side. He would let me go anywhere! "Sarah, help me with this," that, everything! Well, I guess it wasn't too bad. We didn't even fight once. The whole time though, Chrissy's eyebrows never lay. I was scared.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Surprisingly enough, I slept quite well. The minute my head hit the pillow, I was gone. The next morning as usual, I was at the barn at 6:30 AM sharp. There was no way I would miss Longshot's race day gallop. At the barn, everyone was bustling around, but never failed to wish me good luck. Spotting me, Lucero came up, said hello, and then walked me down to the track.

  There was no longer any tension between us. I guess we had come to a truce without realizing it.

  Only a couple of minutes after parking ourselves on the rail, we spun around to the shrieking and stomping of a horse. Coming down the path a hundred yards away was the barely restrained Longshot.

  With two grooms on either side, Longshot reared straight up, thrashing his forelegs and throwing his head and neck back and forth. Then, coming back to earth, he pranced in place with his head bowed. Every couple of seconds he would jerk his head as if thinking about rearing again.

  Ten feet later, he bounced halfway up, when lunged forward, dragging the grooms along. Lucero and I hurried to help the struggling grooms. We each grabbed the end of the lead rope to serve as anchors. There was no way we were letting him get away.

  As we neared the track, I quickly snapped on my helmet. Lucero came around to my side and boosted me up just before the gap. Three seconds later, the lead ropes were unhooked.

  With a leap, Longshot lunged through the gap. Applying pressure to the reins, I managed to keep his frenzy to a rapid jog as Longshot slid sideways across the track. His head was on his chest. With his ears pricked forward, he snorted and fought with my restraint.

  Totally against my will, he picked up a very collected canter. Now, he was so pent up, cantering in a straight line with his body in a diagonal position. Every other stride, he forcefully threw his head down, trying to yank the reins through my fingers.

  As the numbness from my fingers began to creep up my arms, I let a scant two inches of rein slide between my fingers. Eagerly taking the little slack, Longshot strode into a gallop. Still, he was fighting the restraint. With his head bowed, he pounded the track as hard as he could. Rounding the far turn, Longshot managed to pick up speed even through my unrelenting hold.

  Longshot pounded down the stretch, the early morning rays glinting off his bright chestnut coat. Nearing the gap, I applied more pressure to attempt a stop. Shaking his head violently, Longshot grudgingly slowed to a jigging walk. Two grooms swooped in, clipping a lead shank on each side. Jumping lightly off, I watched as they led the prancing, lunging Longshot back to the barn. Turning, I saw Lucero watching me. Leaving out a huge sigh, I took off my helmet, and swiped a hand across my forehead. Smiling, he approached me.

  "Did you have a tough time out there?"

  "Well, what do you think? My arms are still numb!"

  Taking a step closer, he taunted, "Can you feel this?" as he brushed a fingertip lightly over the exposed skin of my arm.

  Jumping, I jerked my arm away. Tingles from his touch raced through my body.

  "You're not that numb," he murmured as he smirked at me. To add to the effect, his eyes traveled up and down my body. I glared at him as my face heat up in a blush.

  Then, Chrissy appeared from behind Lucero's back. Looking between us, she caught my eye, winked, and smirked.

  What is it with this family and smirking!?

  Spotting Chrissy, he immediately moved toward me and ushered me toward the barns with a hand resting on the small of my back. I tried walking a little faster, but he just sped up, continuing to keep his hand on my back. Can't he take a hint? Sometimes, he was so infuriating!

  Once we reached the barns however, he said he'd talk to me later and left! What was the point of escorting me back if he was leaving me to fend for myself anyway…?

  So, I went and found Noelle. I had a feeling she would need some encouragement, considering Grace was her first Breeder's Cup starter. Well, I found her in quite a nervous state.

  There she was pacing in front of Grace's closed door. She really didn't have to be there. Two big burly track security guards flanked the stall doors. Grace was perfectly safe. Once Noelle spotted me, looking calm and healthy, her face broke out into a relieved grin.

  "I can't believe it," she said, "This has been one of my life-long dreams to run a horse in the Breeder's Cup. I'm actually going to do it!"

  Giving her a friendly hug, I said, "Plus, you have an excellent chance to go out a winner!"

  Her smile broadened, "I hope so! Grace has been giving me every indication she's going to run a great race."

  After a few more minutes, Noelle finally calmed down. As time noon, the backstretch slowly began to awake once again. Taking my leave from Noelle, I worked my way to the jockeys' room.

  Halfway there, I ran into a frantic Lucero.

  "There you are!" Hurrying forward, he w
rapped his arms around me.

  With my face squashed to his chest, I mumbled, "Wha' yo' problll…? Uc'n' reah!"

  Not really caring what I said, he brought my head off his chest and said, "No one knew where you had gotten to. I was so worried that something had happened to you! Thank goodness you're okay!"

  Once he paused, I interjected, "Really, you're overreacting. You could have called my cell phone. I know you still have the number."

  Shaking me, he snapped, "Don't you care that someone actually cares for you! Well, it doesn't matter to me if you do! You're just going to put up with it!"

  With my lips pursed together, I hissed, "People caring hasn't done much for me in the past. Caring usually facilitates the need for me to care back! Indifference is a lot less hurtful!"