Free The Prize by Stacy Gregg Page B

closer and closer. And then, before she knew what was happening, Conrad kissed her.
    Maybe it was the shock of feeling his lips against hers, but for the briefest moment, Georgie kissed him back. And then, in a rush of awareness, she gasped and reeled backwards.
    â€œWhat did you do that for?” She looked at Conrad, wide-eyed.
    â€œI just thought…” Conrad looked puzzled. “You know there’s always been something between us, Georgie.”
    â€œThe only thing between us was that saddle,” Georgie’s heart was racing, “and it should have stayed between us! Ohmygod! That should never have happened!”
    Conrad smiled. “You’re cute when you’re angry,” he said.
    â€œWell, you should know,” Georgie shot back, “you’re the one who makes me angry.”
    â€œExactly!” Conrad was still smiling. “We have a love-hate relationship.”
    â€œNo, Conrad,” Georgie said, “We have a hate-hate relationship.”
    â€œSame thing.”
    Georgie was beside herself. “Conrad, I have a boyfriend!”
    â€œYou had a boyfriend,” Conrad corrected her.
    â€œWhatever!” Georgie snapped. “You have a girlfriend!”
    Conrad shrugged. “Kennedy’ll get over it. She’s only dating me because I’m a prefect.”
    Georgie looked at him with astonishment. He couldn’t be serious! Conrad? And her? There was no way.
    â€œI’ve gotta go.” Flustered and feeling slightly hysterical, Georgie snatched up her school cardigan and pulled it on as she headed for the door.
    â€œWait, Georgie,” Conrad was smirking. He was acting like it was all a massive joke. “You can’t go. You’ve got Fatigues, remember?”
    But Georgie kept going. She was out the door and gone, her heart pounding as she ran through the stable block and outside into the fresh air.
    For the past three terms, ever since she got to Blainford, Conrad had gone out of his way to try to make her life hell – and now, in his own way he had finally succeeded.

Chapter Seven
    A lice was horrified.
    â€œGeorgie! What were you thinking?”
    â€œI didn’t have a chance to think!” Georgie said. “One minute Conrad’s helping me with the stirrup leathers and the next minute he’s suctioned on to my face!”
    They were saddling up the horses for their early morning riding session, and in between putting on her martingale and adjusting her tendon boots Georgie had told Alice everything.
    â€œWhat am I going to do?” Georgie groaned.
    â€œDo you want to date Conrad?” Alice asked, but immediately knew the answer from the look on Georgie’s face. “OK, OK, just checking.”
    â€œHow am I going to tell Riley?” Georgie groaned. “He’s already hardly speaking to me!”
    â€œTell him you were cleaning a saddle and you tripped and fell and Conrad’s lips got in the way?”
    â€œVery funny.”
    â€œWell tell him nothing then! He’d just broken up with you. It’s none of his business.”
    â€œI can’t do that,” Georgie shook her head. “The next time Conrad sees Riley he’ll be bound to blab.”
    â€œThey might not run into each other again,” Alice said. “And besides, Conrad might not say anything.”
    â€œYou really think so?”
    â€œNo, who am I kidding?” Alice shook her head. “Conrad will hold this over you – or he’ll tell Riley just to pick a fight.” Alice shook her head. “I don’t see how you’ve got a choice. You’ll have to tell Riley yourself.”
    â€œCan’t we go with the ‘don’t tell him’ option?” Georgie frowned. “I liked that one better.”
    â€œGeorgie, I know you – you won’t be able to lie to Riley. Tell him that it was a mistake. You were upset because he said you were on a break and Conrad got