Alex started to become more hyper as we made our way back to the manor, he now wouldn't shut up for even a minute.

When we finally got back I knew it would be a bad idea to keep him inside, so I asked Layla, who must have gotten back before us, if we could go out riding instead of just seeing the horses.

She agreed and we helped her tack Ziathe and Jess up, as Noah was in the middle of being washed. It takes a really long time for that hairy monster to be washed properly, and he always gets himself super grass stained and muddy straight after.

We warmed up and readjusted for a little while before deciding to make it a little more interesting and take all of the tack off.  The horses behaved surprisingly well and were very sensitive to my messages, so I thought riding bareback would be okay.

I may have nearly ran Patty over when running around in her field though, poor thing has been through enough.

We eventually got bored of the field, and ventured outside of the fence and around the manor grounds.

Despite evening drawing in it was still surprisingly warm, which was good because I still just had my t-shirt on.

I shouldn't be riding with these tight jeans though, getting a bit sore and stiff.

"Why don't we see who can get around the whole manor fast enough?" Alex suggested and I smirked.

"You don't know your way around, you'd get lost." I reminded him and he shrugged.

"Lets do a practice lap then!" He persisted and I sighed.

"Sure" I gave in before asking Jess to trot on the gravel driveway.

Alex followed and we made our way around the side of the building.

"You have a POOL?!" Alex exclaimed when we  reached the back and made Ziathe jump slightly.

"Yeah, how did you not notice that?"

"Well it is inside, you don't just assume a glass extension is for a pool, I thought it was just a large conservatory or something!"

"Right..."

"I need to explore this place more!"

We circled around the pool before travelling through a rather busy garden filled with lots of flower patches and small bushes.

Jess obviously didn't travel around here often, and pricked her ears and snorted at the unfamiliar objects.

It was when she started jumping over small objects on the ground that I realised going to new places without tack on was a bad idea.

"Er Riley, somebody is going to have to get off and move that." Alex suggested when we came up to the exit, which was blocked by a wheelbarrow.

"Nah, it'll be fine." I brushed him off before kicking her on and asking her to jump it.

"Riley!!" He called after me as she leaped over it, and I was nearly unbalanced when she bucked after she landed.

I had obviously excited her, as she now wouldn't stay still.

"I can't believe you did that! I didn't even know you could jump!"

"What? Of course I can!"

"I'm sorry I thought you were just a casual rider!"

"Huh? I used to compete on that horse you are riding!" I exclaimed and he looked down at Ziathe with a surprised expression.

"He can jump?"

"YES. That horse is a trophy winner!"

"What, an 'I tried my best!' trophy?"

"Har har." I gave him a flat look and he just snickered, obviously finding himself amusing.

"Well come on then! Don't fall too far behind!" I teased before shooting off in the direction of the front of the manor.

Jess cleared a small bush with a lot of enthusiasm, before sprinting down the side of the building and turning the corner.

The next object in my way however, was not something I was willing to try clear anytime soon.

I leaned back as fast as I could trying to stop her, but luckily she knew the three figures in front of her weren't looking to be jumped over.

The light beige gravel was sent flying in their direction as we skidded to a stop, but they continued to just stand there looking at me with flat, unimpressed expressions.

"Holy shit." I exclaimed before Jess expressed her surprise in a different way by neighing and bucking.

"Holy shit." Was all that I could manage to say as I tried to keep her still.

"Surprised?" Luca asked with a raised brow.

Chance and Chester just crossed their arms and glared at me while I circled Jess to face them properly as she pranced around in excitement.

They're all seriously pissed off.

"ALEX!!!!!!" I called after a few moments of not being able to speak, and turned around and bolted back around the side of the house.

"Jess calm down!" I pleaded when she started running sideways and nearly unseating me. Now's not the time to end up on the floor with no fast method of escaping.

He gave me a concerned look as I galloped up to him with a probably very pale face.

"Are you alright?" He asked when I spent a few moments trying to process what was happening.

"Your brothers are HERE!" I explained bluntly and his eyes widened.

"In England?"

"YES."

"At the manor?"

"YES."

"OUT FRONT?!"

"YES!!!"

There was a moment of silence when he too was speechless.

"THEY'RE GOING TO KILL US."

"Yes."

"I'm going to die!!"

"Yes."

He then kicked Ziathe on and ran towards the front of the manor.

"Alex wait!" I called before Jess automatically started bolting after Ziathe.

Shit!!

"Uhh, heyy, what a coincidence to see you here.." He laughed awkwardly as we trotted up to them, and I stayed behind him as we halted our horses.

Well I wouldn't call what Jess was doing halting.

"Haha, isn't it?" Chance fake laughed and I gulped. Help.

"How did you find us, just wondering?" Alex asked while scratching the back of his neck.

"Can you calm that horse down??" Luca asked anxiously when Jess continued to scuffle about.

"It's more like the rider who needs to calm down." Chester spoke for the first time in a very flat and unamused voice.

That's a good point though, she can probably feel how tense I am, that along with my fast heart rate is bound to make her nervous.

I took a deep breath and tried to relax my posture, but it was hard when she kept on almost making me fall off.

"We're here because of your mother, she asked us to bring you back, both of you." Luca explained and I frowned.

"Not happening." A deep voice interrupted, and we looked to see Matías and Charlie walking up to us from behind them.

"Excuse me?" Chance snapped and glared at Matias, making Charlie smile awkwardly.

"Matías don't be so confrontational! What we mean is, there are some legal issues we're dealing with at the moment, so we'd love Riley to stay here for now, plus I am his father, its nice to keep a good relationship with family. You can take your brother back, it's fine." Charlie bargained but Chance just scoffed.

"You don't have custody of him as a parent, so you don't have that kind of right, he'll be coming home with his legal family."

"Well everything will be ten times more complicated if Riley's not around during this... you wouldn't want things to not go your way, would you?" He replied and raised a brow, making the three of them narrow their eyes at him.

"Riley has free will, he can do what he wants, but I'd suggest that he listens to his family and comes home, now." Chance said and they all looked at me.

I bit my lip and looked to the ground guiltily. I still need to get that money...

"I need to stay here..." I mumbled but they seemed to hear me.

"What?"

"I'm staying too." Alex stated in determination and I looked up at him with a thankful smile.

"ALEX."

"What? I'm 18 you can't force me to do anything!"

"DO YOU EVEN REALIZE HOW MUCH TROUBLE YOU'RE IN?!" Luca snapped making me jump.

"Now now, everyone needs to calm down." Charlie tried to control the situation but that just made even me irritated.

"We're not leaving until they BOTH are coming back with us." Chester demanded bluntly and the British pair just blinked at him.

"What, even the lot out front?"

Huh?

Come to think of it, that isn't Layla stroking Noah over there....that's Caleb.

OH HELL NO.

I quickly kicked Jess on to make my way over there, although she didn't need much persuading and even gave a little rear before cantering along.

Caleb turned and smiled at me politely as I approached, although you could tell he was very anxious and uncomfortable.

I looked over to the driveway to see the rest of them just hanging out leaning against the cars they must have arrived in. Holy shit.

"H-Hey." I said I greeted quietly and he quickly started petting Jess's nose.

"I came with despite hating them all, it was hell and I think I nearly killed a few of them, but now I've seen some really nice looking horses, so it was worth it." He said and I smiled at him.

"I'm sorry you had to be dragged all the way out here..." I apologised and his smile dropped.

"I've actually been getting worse since you suddenly left...oh, I paid somebody to look after Anatara by the way, she's been acting off as well..." He explained gloomily and I sighed.

"Have you been riding this whole time?" He asked and I snickered.

"No, we've been doing lots of other stuff, this is the first time actually." I said before opening the gate to her field and sliding off of her back. I looked over to Alex to see him still stuck talking with the three oldest and my father. I probably should have stayed to talk and possibly defend myself.

"That's cute." He said as he poked my bandanna and I blushed. Ah, that. Wait, I have rainbow and glitter on my face?? OOPS.

"I forgot about that." I admitted then tried to rub at my face with the back of my hands.

"They're looking over here." Caleb stated while hunching up and looking really uncomfortable. I sighed at the fact he felt he needed to be cautious around them, it must suck to not get along with family.

"You're looking really emo today you know." I stated to change the subject and he gave me a crooked smile.

"It usually stops them from trying to talk to me."

"See, that's your problem, if you try scare them away you're never going to get along. Why don't you try taking up the 'pastel' fashion trend? Then you'd be more approachable." I suggested and he shook his head at me.

"I'd rather die." He said seriously making me chuckle.

"They're going to come over here in a minute if you don't go to them." Caleb worried again and I bit my lip.

"I'm not sure I'm ready to see all of them quite yet...they're a bit intimidating." I explained and he smirked.

"Maybe you're starting to develop anxiety, because that sounds relatable."

"Well, it could be the fact that they're all probably pissed at me. And the fact that everything's been so relaxed and different these past few days. And the fact you all came out of nowhere...I think I'm in shock..."

"Riley, come over here please!" Chance suddenly called making me jump.

"Uh oh." I commented before turning around and walking back towards them.

Please don't be bad news please don't be bad news please...

"We're staying." Chester said and I blinked.

"You're what?"

"We're staying here, until everything is over, or until you come back with us." Luca clarified and I gulped.

"Don't worry it'll be great!" Alex exclaimed with a slightly crazy expression on his face. You can tell it must have been an intense conversation they just had.

"Haha, yeah..." I felt slightly dizzy from the sudden news and caught the eyes of Matías, who was glaring at me. Probably blaming me for his life suddenly getting ten times more annoying.

This is a disaster waiting to happen.