Page 20 of Sunshine

I’m still not sure I believe him, but the notion is romantic as hell, so I relent.

And I’ve never been so excited in my entire life about what’s to come.

CHAPTER TEN

THEN

Margot Arnold is hosting a house party tonight to celebrate last night’s win against the Titans. Word about the party has been circulating all day, details about the “exclusive” invite list causing anxiety-riddled rumblings amongst the various group chats I’m a part of. I knew I’d be going to Margot’s with Jason either way—perks of dating the quarterback—but I was thrilled when a text from Margot herself chimed from my phone this afternoon. It seems being a cheerleader has its perks, too.

I’m still coming down from the rush of it all—the high of my bright red pom-poms sparkling under stadium lights, of Jason’s lips on mine when he couldn’t wait another second. Only a month into high school, I already feel like I’vemadeit, and it’s all I can do to wrestle the lingering panic that it’s all too good to be true. That I eventually might have to piece myself back together when this all comes crumbling down.

For now, though, I plan on enjoying the spoils.

Jason picked me up from my house an hour ago, and now we’re back at the Bennett ranch sitting on stacked bales of hay and watching Kasey ride an unruly horse inside a different training corral from the one Wells was in during my first time here. Apparently, breaking wild horses is part of the gig; the Bennetts run a rescue ranch of sorts, taking in horses from all over the country that need rehabilitation before moving them on to their next homes. Jason told me that wild mustangs are dropped off here every month by the Bureau of Land Management as they work to preserve both the horses and federally-protected land.

I don’t understand how taking wild horses out of their natural habitats and bringing themhereis a good thing. It’s a thought that nags at me as I watch the beautiful mare do her best to hurl Kasey off her back—I don’t blame her for a second for wanting him off.

Wells sits next to Jason and me, drinking beer from a silver can. He and Jay are both sixteen and I know drinking is normal for them by now—they’ve probably had years of experience. But Wells didn’t offer me one, and I know it’s because he thinks I’m too young. He didn’t offer Jason one either, I guess, but I assume that’s because Jason is driving.

“I gotta piss,” Jason says, breaking the silence that’s not quite comfortable between us all yet as he kisses me on the cheek. “I’ll be right back. Wells, you need another beer?”

Wells shakes his head. “We gotta go soon.”

Jason nods. “Cool. Won’t be long, and then we can leave.”

“What kind of horse is that?” I ask, pointing to the black-and-white-spotted one that Kasey’s riding. She’s the prettiest horse I’ve ever seen, and my heart still snags on the sudden loss of her freedom. The way she’s trapped here now.

“She’s an Appaloosa,” he says, taking another sip of his beer. “We just got her last week.”

“What’s her name?”

“Doesn’t have one.” I get the sense he’s only obliging my sudden burst of questions in some vague attempt to make nice after how things went down the last time I was here. Wells has refrained from frowning in my direction since then, but he still hasn’t warmed up to me at school.

“Well, she needs a name.” I’m fascinated by her markings, by the sheer strength in her legs and the fierce spirit in her eyes as she tries to buck Kasey off the saddle. There’s no doubt she’s a mean one, and I feel a flare of pride at her stubborn refusal to submit. I think it’s part of what makes her so beautiful. “Stardust,” I whisper.

“What?” Wells asks, turning to face me, eyes blooming with surprise in a way I haven’t seen before.

“Stardust. That’s her name,” I say with confidence. She looks like the night sky, speckled with an abundance of stars. Wells continues to look at me for a long moment before he shakes his head, his gaze moving back to his brother. “Does it hurt her?” I can’t help but risk another question.

“You’re gonna have to be more specific, sunshine.”

I roll my eyes. “Breaking a horse,” I clarify. “And I told you, stop calling me that.”

He sighs. “No, it doesn’t hurt her. It gives her a purpose, gives her some structure to hold on to. Something she can count on.”

“Hm,” I consider, watching as Stardust thrashes around. “Maybe she doesn’t want that.”

“What do you mean?” I keep my focus on the horse infront of me, but I feel Wells’s eyes on me again. They burn against my skin.

I shrug. “Maybe not all of them want to be broken. Maybe some of them want to live forever wild.” I turn to find his brows scrunched together. There’s a divot between them that looks big enough to sink a finger into. He’s looking at me like I’m a puzzle, like he’s studying the pieces that he’s holding in his hand and trying to find where they fit. “Please don’t break her.”

The sun is sinking low in the sky, and golden flecks sparkle in his otherwise earthy brown eyes. After what feels like several minutes (even though I know it’s only seconds), he turns to look back at Stardust, and I’m surprised when he nods.

“You guys ready?” Jason calls from the back porch where he’s pulling his boots back on.

“Yeah,” Wells yells back. He stands up and leaves me where I’m sitting without another look.

I push out a breath, stealing another glance at Stardust before I, too, stand from the makeshift bench, brushing pieces of the dried hay from where they’ve sunk into my bare legs. Jason and Wells wait for me next to Jason’s Mustang, and Jason pulls open the passenger door as I approach. “Milady.” He smiles at me, and I giggle before climbing in.

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