“Sir, I would love the opportunity to join your team. I know I could bring a lot to this team. Before my last team broke apart, I really felt like I was a contender for Brazil. That is still my goal, and I will work hard to make sure I get there.”
Thomas smiled. He looked to each of the men in turn and nodded. “Grace. We’ve just been waiting for you to give us a shot.”
“Wait, what?”
“We’ve been looking to expand our female side of the team. You know Caitie, and you might have heard of Jennie. She’s pregnant and on leave with no return date yet. Those are only two women. Competing women. We’ve been keeping a close eye on you while you’ve been training with Blake, and I have to say that we’ve been impressed.”
Murmurs of agreement sounded around the room.
Mikel placed a copy of my old contract down on the desk. “We need to be honest. We had ulterior motives in looking over your old contract. I wanted to make sure there wasn’t anything in there that would keep you from joining another team. Even though your coach left you, he could technically come after you if he had a non-compete clause.”
“Did you find anything?” I held my breath as I waited for his response. Why hadn’t I thought to look for that before I signed?
“There is nothing in there that can stop you from joining and competing on another team.” He grinned.
“Oh, thank God.” I was so relieved.
“Do you think your relationships with Blake, Liam, Ty, and Scott will affect your training or your riding?”
“No. I will always ride my hardest. Riding is the one place I let everything else go and focus on what matters most to me—my horse and competing.”
I saw Stefan nod out of the corner of my eye.
“Do you plan to stay on the team long term?”
“Yes. I was with my last team for four years and had no plans to leave until I didn’t have a choice. I’ve never jumped around from team to team. I’m not going to start now.”
“Would you be willing to sign another contract? Even one that has a non-compete in it?” Mikel tilted his head to the side.
This was it for me. I didn’t want any other team.
“Yes. If that’s what I need to do to be part of the team.”
“Do you know how to herd cattle?” Declan asked.
“What?” I looked at him, confused. This was not the line of questioning I had expected.
“Nothing. Just wondering if you’d be interested in partaking in the winter cattle drive.” He chuckled, and the rest of them all shook their heads, trying to hide their smiles. I let out a small laugh.
“Then Grace, the spot is yours if you really want it. We would love to have you join the team.” Thomas got out of his chair and walked around his desk to extend his hand to me.
I stood and shook his hand, then squealed in the most unprofessional way, making all the men laugh. I laughed, too. This was the most excited I’d been in so long. I finally felt like I had control over my future.
Each of them came over and gave me a hug, welcoming me to the team.
Thomas embraced me last and sent me on my way. Mikel said he would have a contract for me to look over and sign by the end of next week. I couldn’t wait to share the news with everyone.
Being here meant I could do both of the things I wanted to do. Ride and love my men. The conversation the night before had meant a lot to me. They were stepping back to let me make my own decisions. I couldn’t wait to tell them I had made my choice. That I chose them. And I also chose to ride. It took me this long to realize that I could have both.
But before I could do anything, I still had one more thing I had to do. Something I wasn’t looking forward to doing, but it was a long time coming. It was time to have a talk with my mother.
I texted her that I was going to the coffee shop and to meet me there. She replied right away with an affirmative.
When I pulled in, she was sitting at the same table we had talked at earlier in the week. A cup of coffee sat on the table in front of the empty seat for me. I walked in and made my way over to the table.
“Hi, Mother.” My stomach twisted.
“Hi, sweetie. Are you all packed and ready to go? They said you needed to be there by Friday. That’s tomorrow. It’s not going to give us a lot of time to get there. We’ll need to head out today if we’re going to make it. You don’t want to make them wait.”
I took a deep breath and spoke on my exhale. “I’m not going.”
“What?” She narrowed her eyes.
“I said, I’m not going.” I placed my hands on the table. “I appreciate the opportunity to be on the team, but I found another I want to be on, and they accepted me.”
“I don’t understand, Grace. This is the best option to get to the Olympics. You need to be on this team if you want to see it through.”
“Do you really think I’m good enough to go to the Olympics?” I already knew what she would say, but I wanted to hear it from her anyway. This was how she manipulated me all these years. By telling me that I was good, but that I could always be better. And then she would push me off in the direction she thought was the best, the way she wanted.
“Of course, I do. And so do the NetJets.”
“Then any other team will be happy to have me as well. I’ll get to Brazil, but on my own, Mother. I am a grown woman now. I’m old enough to make my own choices and find my own way.”
Her face grew taut. “Grace, don’t do this. Don’t be a disappointment, like your sister.”
I was so tired of her putting Blake down. She had no idea what a success Blake had become. And she’d done it on her own. Just like I was going to do.
“Mother, if you would just look up Blake online, you’d know that she is far from a disappointment. She has made a name for herself without you. She is well known and well sought after. She’s a highly esteemed trainer, and I’m proud to call her my sister. I hope I can be as good as she is one day.”
I took a sip of my coffee. Vanilla soy milk latte. Mother’s favorite coffee. Not mine.