Under the Same Sky [BOYXBOY]

Chapter 77

Samuel was preoccupied with his thoughts as he sat with Paul and the others on the stands. It was a bright sunny day and around them the crowd was cheering as the horses filed out of the stables.

It was the Spring Horseracing Derby, and apart from being a high school championship, it was also the social event of the season. The families of the Noble 52 were out in full force as well as everyone who was anyone in the country.

The vibrant sea of spectators was a spectacle in its own right. Dressed in the latest spring fashion and brightly decorated hats, the elites were chattering animatedly away as the first round of show jumping began.

A smattering of polite applause broke out as the first contestant cleared the first hurdles, but no one was paying much attention to the track. Their attention was drawn to the figure who stood in the far-off distance on the verdant landscape.

For the first time in five years, Jayden Mills was participating in the contest. The crowd was abuzz with anticipation as Jayden calmly brushed down the gleaming coffee-coloured coat of the full-blooded mare that stood beside him.

The mare's ears twitched as it pawed the ground restlessly with its hooves. Jayden stroked its nose softly, whispering comforting words as he turned to cast his dark eyes contemplatively on the course before looking up to search the stands.

Paul nudged Samuel sharply with his elbow. 'Your boyfriend is looking at you.'

Samuel blinked as he slowly came out of his thoughts. He caught Paul's pointed gaze and turned to look at Jayden. 

He waved and gave his boyfriend an encouraging smile.

Jayden smiled and turned his attention back to his steed. The mare was much calmer as she nudged Jayden's hands softly with a wet muzzle. He stroked her fondly before pulling up to seat himself on the saddle.

Leo sighed beside Samuel. 'Your boyfriend is so dreamy.'

Paul, Samuel, Noel, and Cam turned to face him with equal looks of incredulity.

'What?' he said defensively.

'Should I be worried?' Samuel asked.

'Yeah,' Noel added. 'Aren't you straight?'

'Being straight doesn't make me blind, does it?' Leo shot back. 'Besides, can't guys compliment other guys without it being fruity?'

'There's complimenting, and there's staring at him with a besotted look on your face,' Paul stated amusedly. 'Guess which one you were doing.'

Leo looked absolutely horrified. 'I did not have a besotted look on my face.'

'Sure, you didn't,' Paul intoned sarcastically.

'Better watch out, Sam. It seems you have a competitor on the loose,' Cam teased.

The group burst into laughter as Leo's face turned beet red. Samuel offered a weak smile and turned back to face the racetrack.

Paul leaned closer to Samuel as the rest of the group continued to tease Leo.

'You okay, buddy? You seem a bit out of sorts.'

Samuel glanced at his best friend. 'Is it that obvious?'

'Not really, I just know you better. Care to tell me what's going on? You look as if you've got the weight of the world resting on your shoulders.'

Samuel sighed. 'I might as well. I don't know who else to talk to.' He glanced at the packed stands. 'Not here, though.'

Paul nodded and followed Samuel as they discreetly slipped out of the stands.