Free Love Elimination by Sarah Gates Page B

had long since outrun all the cameras dotted along the beach when the horse finally slowed down. Anna slid from the saddle, and then she was falling. It was only about a metre and a half from the saddle to the ground, but the sand was like waves of concrete. It was the shock, she knew that, but her shoulder still jarred on impact.
    The horse stopped a few metres away, its hooves sinking into the sand. Now its rider was safely on the ground, it seemed to have no interest in death-defying speeds.
    Anna closed her eyes to avoid the spray of sand as Luke tumbled to the ground beside her, but otherwise, she didn’t move. His hands touched her cheeks.
    ‘Are you okay?’
    ‘Yeah, fine.’ Anna’s mind whirred, even if her body shook harder than before—like an earthquake compared to warning tremors—but the shock was wearing off.
    ‘Are you hurt?’ His hand scooped under her head, supporting it as she sat up. Anna felt the muscles and bones in her body adjust to the new position. Nothing screamed at her.
    ‘No. I’m fine,’ she said, but she wasn’t. She’d once read that adrenalin-inducing experiences bond people, especially when they were also life threatening. Kate had explained how reality television series used this to bond participants. They send contestants sky-diving, zooming around in speed boats, or dropping off bridges in bungee gear. Sending her and Luke galloping through the water was a cute enough idea, until you did it without training, without an experienced rider and without any safety. They didn’t even have helmets on—God forbid they get hat hair.
    Cynicism didn’t usually come naturally to her, but Anna wanted to rip Luke’s hands from her body and punch his perfect face. Then she wanted to run screaming until she found Kate. Then she wanted to pinch her sister until she screamed. Since when do trained horses freak out like that? Did the crew intentionally hire a panicky horse, or were they just negligent? Or was it well trained and had reacted to a signal—an act justified by the reasoning that Anna would never actually be in danger? The thought wrapped around her mind and refused to let go.
    ‘Here, let me help you up.’ Luke pulled Anna to her feet. His body pressed against hers as he embraced her and he laid a hand on her lower back and rubbed slow circles onto her skin.
    Did Luke know? Every word had been supportive, kind and reassuring. He sounded scared for her. Was he a good actor or was he a puppet just like the rest of them, as he’d said? As they broke apart, a medic told her to sit back down. Another crew member supplied an umbrella, stabbing it into the ground. Anna and Luke were given water and asked a series of medical questions. Anna’s body refused to cease its violent quaking.
    ‘Don’t worry,’ Luke said as they finished. ‘The next part of the date is very relaxing. We’ll find a nice shady spot and have a picnic.’
    Anna wanted to say no, but her lips refused to form the words. The fight had left her body.
    ‘Come on.’ He led her up the beach like a child. They only walked a little way along the sand and into the palm trees. The branches and their leaves offered a denser shade than Anna would have thought before seeing them. Beneath one of the trees was a red and navy tartan picnic rug. Sitting on top was a brown wicker basket. Anna took a seat next to Luke and he pulled out a bottle of wine.
    ‘Drink?’ he asked and Anna nodded vigorously. Alcohol was exactly what she needed. She accepted a stemmed glass and gulped down the rich red wine.
    ‘That’s better,’ she murmured.
    ‘So, is this officially the worst date you’ve ever had?’ Luke scratched at the makings of a beard on his cheek.
    ‘Oh, it’s up there.’
    ‘Come on. What could be worse?’
    ‘I caught my boyfriend hooking up with my best friend at the formal?’ Anna rubbed her temples, feeling her body slowly relax. She watched as Luke fished plate after plate out of the basket, placing