Hoofbeats ( Bentley)

[Kate Hudson]

It had been several days since Kate last talked to Bentley. He hurt her pretty bad with what he said, and she didn't bother calling him to check up on him. He needed his space, and she needed to move on from the notion that she could change who he was. She should've know better than to still hang on to Ben, he was bad just like everyone said, but she wanted to see the good in him. She knew what Ben was capable of, he could be someone great, and rise above his vices. He would never hurt her physically, but mentally and emotionally she was so scared from his pushing her around.

Kate ran her fingers through her hair as she drove up the dirt road to the barn, the back wheels churning up dirt, and making it hard to see out the back. Max sat in the co-pilot seat and stuck his head out the window. Kate looked at him, reaching over to his side, and rubbing his head. She pulled up the side of the barn, turned off her truck, and sat there for a moment with one hand still on the steering wheel. She looked out the front windshield, and sighed, but tried not to cry. Those words still played through her mind like a broken record player. Stop it Kate! She shook her head and opened the truck door and jumped out. Max followed her as she dropped off her gear on her tack trunk, and she went out to the pasture to get Jericho. She leaned against the fence line and called to Jericho. The bay gelding perked his head up and neighed loudly and came cantering up the fence line. Kate smiled and grabbed his halter, and slipped it on him once he got close.

She patted his neck and kissed his nose. He was the best medicine for a broken heart. She led him into the barn and started to brush all the dirt off his shaved coat, and to pick the knots out of his tail. She softly hummed the tune to ' Stronger' to herself and looked up at the dirt road. No sign of Ben. Maybe he wasn't going to show, and this is one of those bad days where he would shut her out. Oh well, she could go on a trail alone. Didn't like other people slowing her down. She tacked up Jericho, slipped on her boots and helmet, and took the reins to led him out.

[loneangel08]

Buzzzzz. Buzzzzz. Silence. Beep. Beep. Bentley groaned as he rolled over to shut his alarm off. After a moment of hitting the clock until it shut up he rolled back over and stared at the ceiling. Today was the day. He was going to ride with Kate. He felt it was going be a interesting day seeing how there phone call went a few days ago. What was to come of them? All she was trying to do was save him and he was pushing her away. She would probably tear him apart today, but he'd take every hit. He had to face her. He said he would ride with her and that's the least her could give for the way he was acting. leave it the fine Bentley Wayne Colmen to be the biggest asshole ever. One thing had come over their conversation the other day. Ben was drinking as much. He'd found himself sitting at home alot more at night. Plus the night after they had talked he'd drunk to much at a party. That lead him into pissing off one guy he shouldn't have. It left him with a cut across his right cheek from a broken bottle.

Ben rolled out of the bed and walked to the bathroom. He looked in the mirror. The cut was still red across his tan cheek. He moved to the sink to brush his teeth. After that was done he moved back to his room. He pulled on a pair of wranglers, a black tan top with a grey and blue plaid button up shirt to top everything off. Ben moved mindlessly through his house. He pulled on his boots and grabbed his phone. With a moment he was out the door and in his car. He was pulling out the drive before his mind could register it. He pulled the car to a stop in the middle of the road. He pulled his mind together and found some music to listen too.

Bentley pulled off listening to It's Been a While by Staind. As he drove everything around him was a bit of a blurr. Every word from that night rung in his mind. Her screaming voice raking at the walls of his mind. It's all he could think about the past few days. 'Look at her, I mean really look at her Ben... do you see your life just like this? Partying and coming home with a strange girl every night, or do you see past that? You are better than that Bentley! I know the man you want be, you told me years ago of your dreams, and you are throwing them away.' His hands gripped the wheel as he started to sing along with the song. 'And everything I can remember as fucked up as it all may seem the consequences that I've rendered. I'm gone and fucked things up again. Why must I feel this way? Just make this go away. Just one more peaceful day.'

Soon he found himself pulling up at the barn. As he looked over Kate's truck was there. He looked toward the barn and there she was. He was leading Jericho from the barn. He turned the car off and stepped out. He made himself walked toward her. Her screaming voice digging it's claws deeper into his head. His throat suddenly felt dry. His chest felt tight like he couldn't breath. For once Bentley was truly lost for words. Really lost all together. As he got close he finally spoke. 'Kate...' It was the only word he could breath long enough to say.

[Kate Hudson]

Kate sighed, and bit her lip from trying not to cry. He stood her up, typical of Ben sometimes. He stays out late, gets drunk, and doesn't bother to call her to cancel plans. He just doesn't show. She fished for her helmet out of her trunk, and dug a small sugar cube out of her pocket and gave it to Jericho. He was her sweet boy. She slowly walked him out, and didn't notice that Ben was pulling up just as she was walking towards to shaded Oak tree. She wiped away a stray tear and wiped it on her jeans. Oh stop it! He didn't show, and he doesn't care about you in that way, so stop feeling sorry and move on. She nodded, as if agreeing with herself and cleared her throat. She heard a voice call her name, and she froze. Could it be Ben? Yes, it had to be, she knew that voice anywhere. She stood where she was, making a fist with her hand, and slowly turned and looked at him. Jericho turned his head to and nickered at Ben. Traitor.

She saw him just stand there, not approach her, but stood there. It was like in those old westerns at the O.K. Corral, and Kate and Ben were in a staring contest before one of them draws their gun, and shoots the other. Kate let out a deep breath, letting go of Jericho, and marched straight towards Ben like she was going to kill him. She stooped just inches from him, and raised her hand to either smack him or punch him hard in the jaw. She saw the scar on his right cheek, and she stopped seeing that someone else had gotten to Ben before her. Drat! She slowly lowered her arm, and looked at Ben almost flinch. Yeah, he had it coming for sure, but she was better than that. If she punched him and caused a scene, she would be no better than now, but punch and beating the snot out of him would relieve a lot of tension. She let out another deep breath and said, " Glad to see you kept your word. Go get tacked up, I'll be waiting over by the trailhead," she said softly and just walked away. He was lucky this time.

[loneangel08]

Bentley stood and watched her. As she turned around to see who had called her Jericho neighed to him. Ben gave a small smile to the horse. For a moment they just seemed to stand and stare at one another. After a moment Kate dropped the gelding rein and made a be line straight for him. She stopped just inches from her hand raised to hit him. Ben sucked in a breath and waited for what he had coming. A moment passed and nothing came. He looked to her. Her hand had dropped and her words came quick and soft. And with that she was walking away. He looked after her for a moment before moving off toward the pasture to grab Jack. Her walking away way just as bad as if she had hit him. He wished she had, but she was always the one to keep the better of herself. She never feel to someone else level. As he neared the gate of his three horses pasture he whistled to them. There heads popped up to look his way.

Knight and Hunnie went back to gazing without a second glance. It was Jack who came running like always. Benltey smiled as the old gelding slid to a stop at the gate. He patted his nose. 'Hey there old Jack. Ready for a nice trail ride.' The gelding bobbed his head up and down. It had been a while since Ben had took him out. Between Knight and Hunnie's training Ben hadn't really had the time too. So he at least knew Jack would enjoy this even with the tense between Kate and him at the moment. He opened the gate and grabbed a hold of Jack's halter. He walked him out and closed the gate. He started toward barn.

Within a few moments Ben was there and had Jack clipped in the cross ties. He moved to the tack room and grabbed his grooming box. He gave Jack a good groom as he danced in place. Jack was excited. Jack even with his old age loved to be took out and rode. It always showed clear on the gelding face. Soon her was moving back to the tack room with his grooming box. He placed it back in it's home and grabbed up his tack. Within moments he had him tacked up and was leading him out the barn. After they got a bit away from the barn Benltey mounted him and totted him to where Kate was at the trail head. He pulled him up just a few feet from them and waited for Kate to lead the way.

[Kate Hudson]

Kate was satisfied with herself as she walked away from hurting Ben. She smiled at Jericho, picking up the reins once more, and putting them around his neck. Kate checked her girth to make sure it was good and tight, lowered her stirrups, and swung onto Jericho. She watched Ben take Jack into the barn, and she turned Jericho away. She rode him around in the dressage ring to warm up his legs if they were going to do any serious riding. Jericho tossed his head and snorted. After a moment of riding around for a few minutes, she rode him out of the ring, and trotted over to the trail-head at the back of the property past a few pastures. She loosened her reins, stopping Jericho, and waited for Bentley. To occupy her time, she checked the chin strap of her helmet, and stretched her arms, and kept her eye out for Ben. He always liked to take his time getting ready for anything. The only thing he probably rushed was screwing someone. She grumbled, and put that bitter thought to the back of her head.

She saw him coming towards her, and she put on a more friendlier face, and collected her reins once more. When Ben got closer to her, she held Jericho still and sighed. " Before we go on the trail, I propose this. That we put our conversation that we had a few days ago behind us. Doesn't mean it never happened, but I wish to look past it and still be your friend. That way we can enjoy this day in the sun and not bicker back and forth like an old married couple," she said and her voice grew calmer and more sincere. With that, she tapped Jericho's side, and turned him towards the trail.

[loneangel08]

Bentley watched her as he walked up on Jack. She hadn't noticed him yet so he took the time to look at her. Kate use to be his everything. She still was somewhere in the heart that had been buried by the monster. Why couldn't he just drop it all like before and just be there for her. Their love had been so easy back then. Why had those years apart broken him so bad. He ran his hands over his face then threaded them through his dark hair. He watched as she turned and gave him a friendly smile. A sigh slipped from her lip as she began to speak. Ben looked to her and listened. He smiled at the old married couple part. He looked to her for a moment. 'Yes. A day in the sun with no fighting. I'd be nice. Like old times.' His voice was calm and cool. She pushed Jericho on so Ben followed. Jack was a ball of energy under him. The gelding chewed at the bit as he moved along at a bouncy walk behind Jericho. It made Ben smile for he knew the old feller just wanted to stretch his legs.

Bentley took in the sounds of the forest and looked around. Shadows of birds darted through the trees. Spring was seating in well to the forest. There was still a bit of a chill in the air as the rain came. It was fairly sunny old today with little to no clouds in the sky. Hopefully no rain would ruin their day out on the trail. Jack snorted and made Ben roll his eyes. He gave the gelding some reins. Jack broke into a canter and moved past Jericho and Kate. 'Sorry. He's full of energy today.' That was all Bentley could get out as they passed Kate.

Bentley held Jack at a canter as they neared the brook. As they neared it Bentley figured Jack was just gonna canter on through it but Jack being Jack pulled one of his last minute moves. Jack's hind end dropped and he slid to a stop to the edge of the brook. It happened so suddenly that Bentley had no time to brace himself at all. Ben went flying over Jacks head and straight into the creek. Bentley cursed to himself as he found his foot and stood up. He was soaked to the bone. He cut his eyes to the bay gelding. Ben couldn't be mad though as he looked at Jack. Jack seemed to be laughing at him. Ben walked over to him and rubbed his nose. 'You best be glad I let my phone in the car.' His voice was playful. Jack throw his head up and down as to still be laughing at his master. Ben looked over to Kate and smiled to her. For once it was a true smile. 'I guess Jack still has his sense of humor these days.' Ben looked to her for a moment holding the smile then mounted Jack again.

[Kate Hudson]

Kate smiled to his reply, 'Yes. A day in the sun with no fighting. I'd be nice. Like old times.' In the old times, they would cuddle somewhere nice, he would rub her shoulder, kiss her head, and she would lay her head on his chest. Well, that was one thing that they would do. At one point, they were inseparable, and could know what the other was thinking. Well, at times she still could. She sometimes knew what he was up to, and it pained her. She tapped her knobbed spurs into Jericho's sides, and he picked up a lengthened trot, and he tossed his head as he snorted. She peered over her shoulder, and saw Ben coming up on Jack at a fast pace. She watched him pass her, and picked up a canter. Jericho wanted to join him, but Kate held him back. He jumped with his front legs and tossed his head. He so wanted to join Jack and run, but Kate was being a spoiled sport. She smiled watching him pass," I can see that. Jericho wants to play, but I won't let him," she laughed and finally let Jericho have his head. Jericho neighed and stretched out his legs. Kate tightened her reins, grabbed a tuft of mane and held on.

She followed a few horse lengths behind Jack and Ben, and watched the two go. Ben was a natural on the horse, but she wished that both his mind and heart were fully into riding like he used to be. She suddenly saw Jack stop, and watched Ben fall forward and into the water. She covered her mouth to keep from bursting out laughing, and to hide her blush. She held Jericho back and then started to laugh. She snorted and looked away. She looked back at Ben said, " I'm so sorry Ben, but you're face right now," she laughed some more," You should see your face," and she started to laugh louder. She leaned forward and just laughed till he got back onto Jack. She stopped laughing and said, " Perhaps we should have packed spare clothes," she said. She could see Ben's muscles through his shirt as his shirt clung to his skin, and it made her blush slightly.

[loneangel08]

They laughed together for a moment before he had mounted Jack again. Bentley tossed his hands through his hair trying to get rid of some of the water that soaked it. He turned to look at Kate as she spoke. He chuckled as he replied. 'Yea, I guess we should have. To be honest in this early summer air a swim sounds great.' His lips still held that smile. He turned back around as he pulled his shirt off. He leaned to the side and squeezed the water from it then laid it at the front of his saddle. His body was still fairly tanned and muscles. Bentley suddenly was feeling better than ever. It was like back then. He felt alive and free. Suddenly he was finally seeing what Kate had been trying to tell him. He had throw this all away. He was still for a moment. A frown passed over his lips. There was one thing he probably couldn't get back. He'd choose to broke her heart and she'd probably never let him back in.

He sighed putting a smile on his face as he turned to look back at Kate. If he couldn't ever have her like that again at least he had this. Friendship. 'A dip in the lake sounds fun? I'm sure I have an extra shirt and gym shorts in my car you could use to change into.' He smiled to her. 'Race you to the lake!' He turned back around again and tapped his heels into Jack's side. The gelding bounded forward into a trot through the brook then into a canter. They danced through the winding trail soon to come up on the old cemetery. Bentley pulled Jack up to a trot. It was still creepy looking in the day. He looked it over as he wondered who was buried there. Was it people from years and years ago that use to live...like maybe civil war people. There was a lot of history to Pinewood. He shrug and tapped Jack onward. Jack once more broke into a smooth canter.

Just riding on the trails like this felt so great. Maybe it was the summer air getting to Ben's head or maybe he was finally realizing how things use to be. He remember back when him and Kate use to be inseparable. Every chance they got they where running off to find something to get into to between shows. Back then there was this wild, relentless, almost reckless feeling about them. They had been young, crazy ,and in love. Now as Bentley thought about it he wished he had never ran like he had. He wanted to feel that again. He wanted to be that guy she'd fell for back then. Could he ever be that guy again? He looked up to see they had finally reached the lake. He pulled Jack up to a trot as they made their way around to the dock.

[Kate Hudson]

Kate nodded in agreement, the summer weather was slowly approaching them, and it started feeling really good outside. Jericho and Sinatra rarely needed their sheets and blankets anymore during the day, and she was wearing her shirt sleeved shirts more. " A swim actually does sound good right now. I know there's a lake near the old oak past the Pinewood cemetery. That way," she said and smiled at Ben and she tapped Jericho and they raced down to the lake. Kate let Ben get a good lead, and she looked at him. They used to be close, and were young and in love. Now they are older, and more mature. At times, she would easily take Ben back in a heartbeat, but she was with Holten now, and she was happier than ever. He's good for her, and respects her. Even though she is with Holten, she will never stop caring about Ben.

She held Jericho back as she cantered up a hill, and through the winding trails. They neared the cemetery, and she was able to catch Ben. She held back on Jericho and he looked at the cemetery and proceeded with caution. He wasn't sure or didn't know if something was going to jump out and eat him, so Kate ran her hand down his neck to soothe his nerves. She had visited this place a few times, the first time was on a dare from Ben. She had to stay the night on Halloween, and sleep on top of one of the graves. Never again!!

They passed the cemetery, and Kate tapped Jericho and he picked up a fast canter till they reached the lake. She slowed Jericho down, and heard Ben come up behind her and stopped Jack beside her horse. She looked at the lake, and then at Ben, and smiled. She removed her helmet and tossed it on the ground, and climbed off of her horse admiring the clear water. It was a little murky toward the grass, but a good portion was clear. She looked back at Ben, and slowly pulled off her shirt and tossed it at his face and then removed her boots. She left a trail of clothes as she neared the water, but left on her sports bra and boy shorts panties. She let her hair down as she walked onto the dock, and dove right in.

[loneangel08]

They slowly moved around the lake. Kate was now a head of him and he took in the moment to take in the moment. The light from the sun glittered over the water and dance over the land and trees around the lake. He pulled Jack up just a few steps behind Kate and Jericho. He watched her as she throw her helmet off and dismounted. She smiled as she looked back at him as she slowly removed her shirt. Before she bent over to remove her boots she tossed her shirt into his face. Bentley was slightly throw off for a moment as her scent filled his lungs. He removed the shirt from his face slowly and watched her leave a trail of clothes to the dock. Suddenly Ben found himself really looking at Kate as he dismounted. Sure he had seen her a many of times in a bathing suit which was really no different than what she was in now.

It had just been a long time they had done something like this. He smiled as she dove into the water. He pulled off his boots and jeans then quickly jogged over to the dock. He ran down the dock and jumped in. The water was cool and refreshing against his skin. He surfaced and looked for Kate. She was swimming near by so he slowly made his way back toward the dock. When he reached the dock he slowly pulled himself up on it. His black and blue boxers stuck to his skin like glue. He sat at the edge and looked at Kate. He mind traced back to there phone conversation and he remember her saying something but another guy.

Bentley didn't wanna start a fight but he was curious. 'Feel free to drag me in the water and drown me for this but I was just wondering. How is it going with that guy you where talking about the other day?' He smiled. He really kinda asked because if they had a thing going he didn't want to do anything stupid. He really didn't wanna mess up the one time in like forever that they where having a good time. After a moment he stood up and looked over to the horses. They stood quietly as they gazed. Bentley figured Jack had done took his clothes and pranced off with them. The thought made Ben grin to himself. He looked back a Kate and smile. 'Booms away!' He yelled as he jumped back in fairly close to her.

[Kate Hudson]

Kate resurfaced just as Ben had jumped in and she screamed when she was splashed in the face. She laughed and watched him come up for air, and she splashed him in the face, and stuck her tongue out. She watched him climb back onto the dock, and saw that his boxers clung to his skin. She blushed and looked away as he sat down. She leaned back, so she was partially floating in the water and she felt the sun warm the top of her body. She watched him sit there on the dock, and she turned away when he jumped back in. She looked at him and smiled, and splashed him once more, and they got into a splashing war before she called a truce, and she floated there for a moment. She heard his question pertaining to Holten and she took a deep breath and got her hair wet again.

She gave him a small smile and replied " things are going well with Holten. We're going slow, and really are just enjoying being with each other. We don't get to see each other often because he works such crazy hours since he's a cop." She ran her fingers through her hair, " The other day, he had just gotten off from work around 7pm, and I had been off since 2, but I went over to his place, and he was crashed out on the bed. That's how crazy his work load is," she said and chuckled. " But he's a really good guy Ben. I think you'll like him," she said sincerely and smiled. She was really happy with Holten, and didn't want to ruin things with him because she hangs out with Ben. To be honest, she didn't know how he would react if he knew that she hangs out with a bunch of guy friends, including those she used to date.