by L. P. Dover
“There are reporters by the gate. They’re waiting to come in.”
“Did they see you?”
She shakes her head. As much as it hurts, I say the words anyway. “Duck down.” She does, but not in the way I suspected. Brielle lays her head on my leg and reaches for my hand. We lock fingers, which prevents me from flipping off the media as I exit the grounds.
I think about taking her back to my place, but it’s probably best the enemy isn’t seen at the Lucky Seven ranch until after the race, and her place is completely out of the question. We drive toward the outskirts of town, where no one should bother us.
We arrive at my favorite spot along the Ohio River. It’s quiet, isolated, and there isn’t anyone in sight. Brielle picks herself up and twists in her seat to look at me. “I have to choose.”
I nod, knowing exactly what she’s referring to. It’s sad her father is that type of man, but I honestly expected him to say the same thing if she told him after the race. I don’t expect her to choose me. She stands to lose everything and the only thing I can offer her is love. Nothing else. I stare out the windshield and watch a bird scour the ground for food. Somewhere, there is probably a nest with babies, waiting for their mom to return.
“Say something, Colby.”
“I don’t know what to say. I could tell you to pick me, to tell your dad to pound sand, but that would be selfish of me. You’d lose your last parent, your job and home. And for what? To come live in my shack? Who’s to say I won’t lose my job over this? And then what?”
“So, that’s it? You want me to let my dad win?” Brielle crawls onto my lap and she cups my face. “Why does he get to dictate who I can love?”
“I don’t know,” I whisper to her.
“It’s not fair.”
“Life isn’t fair, Brielle. This life we live in—with the prestige, the money, and the status. There are expectations of each of us and we’re expected to stay in our lanes. We can’t detour or dive around the pothole without someone making it a thing.”
“But love should be different, Colby. This is our lives we’re talking about. We love each other and for the past three years have stayed away because of some lie my father told. If I had known the truth, I would’ve never stopped talking to you, and who knows, maybe we’d be standing side by side this Saturday when Maximus is put into the starting gate.”
“It would be Voltaire,” I remind her, but she shakes her head.
“You were meant to train that colt. He came into your life for a reason and this weekend, everyone is going to see what you can do, and people are going to flock to Lucky Seven Ranch to have you train their horses. I predict, in the next five years, you’ll have your own training facility, Colby Hensley. You’re going to make a name for yourself.”
“And where will you be?”
Her hands fall from my face and she presses her back against the steering wheel. “I don’t know.”
Eight
Brielle
When Colby and I drive by the stables, there are media vans everywhere, no doubt searching for us. Luckily, William’s close by and I get him to meet us down the road where we’re out of sight. Colby doesn’t say much when I get out of his truck, but I can see the pain in his eyes. It’s as if he knew our time together wasn’t going to last, almost as if he has no faith in me. Then again, I can see why he feels like that. I let a lie my father told me tear us apart. I keep wondering what my life would be like right now if I’d just confronted him after he quit working for my father.
As soon as I shut the truck door, he drives away. I knew this day would come. Deep down, I had a feeling I was going to have to choose between my heart and my dad. Butch Armstrong is a hard man to please. It’s his way or no way. I’ve always pretended to see eye to eye with him on everything, but in all honesty, that couldn’t be further from the truth. The man has given me everything I could ever want, except one thing … Colby. It’s the one thing he refuses to let me have.
William comes up behind me and sets a hand on my shoulder. “Are you okay?”
Scoffing, I watch Colby’s truck disappear around the corner. “Far from it, Will,” I huff.
“What are you going to do?”
I wipe my tears away and huff. I’m done crying. I’m done putting myself last. “What I’m going to do,” I say, turning around to face him, “is what I should’ve done a long time ago.”
William’s lips pull back into a mischievous smile. “Sounds like a plan to me. Want me to go with you?”
Shaking my head, I pull out my phone. “No, I need to do this on my own.” I call my father, but of course, he doesn’t pick up. I knew he wouldn’t. He’s probably forking over tens of thousands of dollars trying to make my scandal disappear. I call him again and still no answer. It’s infuriating. I can feel the anger bubbling through my veins. My chest is so tight I can barely breathe. All I want to do is scream and yell, but I can’t.
“What do you want me to do?” William asks, his voice soothing as he speaks.
Clenching the phone in my hands, I take in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I need you to drop me off at my dad’s house. I’ll wait for him there.”
William nods and opens the passenger’s side door of his car for me. My heart thumps wildly in my chest. There are so many emotions fighting through me that I don’t know which one is taking over.
When we get to my father’s house, I know he’s not there, but I see a familiar truck parked down at our private stables. I point toward it. “Drop me off down there. There’s someone I need to talk to.”
William drives past the driveway and takes me to the stables. Just as we pull up, the man I want to speak to comes walking out. Colby’s father, Martin Hensley.
“Damn, he looks like an older, more clean-cut version of Colby.”
With a heavy sigh, I nod. Martin spots us and turns to head back into the stables. “Yes, he does.” I turn to William. “Wait for me at the main house. I’ll be right there.”
He nods once. “Got it.”
I get out of the car and make my way into the stables. Martin is at the far end, polishing up a saddle. “Good morning, Ms. Armstrong,” he calls out, still keeping his back to me. I’ve never had an issue with Martin Hensley until now. He’s always been hard on Colby to follow traditions, but my father did the same to me. I had the Armstrong legacy to uphold, just like Colby had to follow the Hensley’s legacy to be the best horse trainers in the state. Martin was mad at his son just like I was for leaving Armstrong Acres. Someone needs to let him know what an amazing man his son is.
When I don’t respond to Martin’s greeting, he turns around. There’s concern in his eyes when he looks at me. The man has always been nothing but nice to me. “Your father will be back in a minute if you’re looking for him.”
“I was, but now that you’re here, I can say what I have to say to you too.”
His jaw clenches as he looks down at the polishing rag in his hands. “Does it have to do with my son? After everything he’s done, it wouldn’t surprise me if I don’t have a job by the end of the day.”
“If my father fires you then he’s an idiot.” Martin’s head snaps up and I step toward him. “You’re a wonderful trainer and I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone handle a horse the way you do.”
“Thank you, Brielle. That means a lot.”
“That is, until your son,” I finish. His eyes lock on mine and I stare him down. “Colby learned from the best and I have no doubt he has the same chance to win as you do. What I don’t understand is how you don’t see that.”
Martin sighs and leans against one of the stall doors. “I do see it. I’m just disappointed in him. He never should’ve left. It brought shame down on my family. With everything going on in the media right now with the both of you, I just …”
“Colby has more honor than anyone I know. Way more than my father. I love your son and have for a very long time. If you knew the truth, you wouldn’t be so hard on him. You�
��d be proud.”
His brows furrow. “What are you talking about?”
I want to tell him everything, but I think it’s a conversation he needs to have with Colby. “Why don’t you ask your son. You need to know the truth. I just wish I knew it sooner. All I can say is that if my father fires you, then so what? You and Colby can start your own empire. It’s about time you take the credit for all your work. I have no doubt you two would be great together.”
I hate that Colby and his father drifted apart over the years. It’s all my dad’s fault. One way or another, I’m going to get Colby’s family back together. They might be all I have after today. Martin nods and turns away from me to hide his face. I just hope I got through to him.
“Good luck at the race, Mr. Hensley.”
He glances over his shoulder at me. “Same to you. My son’s a lucky man.”
This brings a smile to my face. “Thanks.” When I get up to the main house, my father is still not there. William is in the living room, sitting on the couch all cool and collected when I know the shit is about to hit the fan. “I wish I could be as calm as you,” I say.
William sighs and stands. “Everything will be okay. All you have to do is tell your dad how you feel. And if he doesn’t see things your way, then move on.” He walks over to me and pulls me into his arms. “You know how my parents abandoned me when they found out I was gay. After that, I found family in my friends. I found you, and you will have me. And Colby.”
The front door slams and I gasp as I pull away from William. My father stands in the doorway of the living room, arms crossed and looking angry by the scowl on his face. “Please tell me you two are working things out. I just went through hell trying to get this shit fixed.”
William clears his throat and stands by my side, but I squeeze his arm. He looks down at me and I kiss his cheek. “Wait for me in the car. I’ll be out in just a minute,” I say, whispering in his ear.
He nods once and does the same to my father before exiting out the front door. My dad points at the door. “What’s going on? Did you two work it out?”
I shake my head. “There’s nothing to work out. We were never together.”
His eyes narrow. “What the hell do you mean you were never together. He told me you were getting married.”
“Yes, I know,” I say, groaning out the words. “He said that so you wouldn’t get suspicious about me and Colby.”
Anger flashes in his eyes. “Jesus, Brielle. You’re seriously going to throw away your life to be with him? What the hell is wrong with you?”
He storms past me to the bar and I glare at him. “I could ask you the same question. You lied to me about Colby, about what you tried to do with Maximus behind his back. What made you think that was ever okay?”
He grabs a bottle of whiskey and pours himself a shot. “Tons of shady shit goes on every day in this business. You’d be naïve to think it doesn’t.”
I’m not naïve anymore. “That may be true,” I hiss, “but you’re my father. You’re better than that. Or at least, I thought you were. If this is how you want to run Armstrong Acres, I don’t want to be a part of it anymore.”
His eyes widen. “You’re seriously going to turn your back on me for him? He’s a nobody.”
I start my way toward the door and glance back at him. “He’s somebody to me and I love him.”
“If you walk out that door, you lose everything. Is that really what you want?”
I can see Colby’s face in my mind, and I smile. “No, but I have to follow my heart. I love him, Dad. And I love you. But if you really loved me you wouldn’t make me choose. Maybe one day you’ll figure out that family is more important than winning.” Without another word, I walk out the door. I’ve made my choice.
After leaving my father’s house, I wanted to go straight to Colby and tell him everything, but I couldn’t. Not with the media swarming around the stables. Once tonight is over, I don’t care if the media sees us together. I don’t want to hide anymore.
My phone rings and I grab it off the hotel bed. It’s William.
“Hey,” I say. “Did you find him?”
William chuckles. “Yep. Everyone in the stables thought there’d be a fight, but I gave him your message. He knows what room you’re in.”
“Good. How did he seem?”
“Well, honestly, I think he’s expecting to be dumped. He looked a little worried.”
“Did you not tell him everything’s okay?” I ask incredulously.
He chuckles again. “Nope. Figured it’d be much better if you do that yourself. Just think of the crazy sex you’ll have afterwards.”
With a heavy sigh, I collapse onto the bed. “That’s if he shows up. He might not if he thinks I’m just going to break his heart.”
“Don’t worry, he’ll show.”
I didn’t want Colby meeting me at my house. Knowing my father, he’d see his truck there and evict me right on the spot. Luckily, I have my own money that I worked for. Not everything was handed to me by my father. A knock sounds on the door and my heart stops.
“He’s here,” I whisper. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Have fun.”
We hang up and I take a deep breath before going to the door. When I open it, Colby is right there, his jaw tight and the tension is so thick in the air you could cut it with a knife.
“Hey,” I say, stepping out of the way. “Come in.”
He brushes past me as he enters. “If you’re going to end this, just get it over with.” As soon as he turns around to face me, I grab his face and kiss him, molding my body to his. It catches him off guard at first, but then he grips me around the waist and deepens the kiss.
I break the kiss and rest my forehead on his. “I chose you, Colby.”
He pushes me back so he can meet my gaze. “Seriously? You gave up everything for me?”
My eyes started to burn. “I love you. I should’ve done this a long time ago. I just hate you doubted me.”
Sadness falls over his face. “I’m used to people giving up on me, Bri. You know that.”
I push him toward the bed. “Well, I’m not giving up on you. Ever.” I try to push him onto the bed, but he grabs my waist quickly and turns us so I’m the one falling down, his body covering mine.
He bursts out laughing, giving me that triumphant smile of his. “It’s a shame I don’t have my ropes with me right now.”
I bite my lip. “I agree. I quite enjoyed getting tied up.”
His eyes blaze with raw intensity. “I’m sure we can do that again. Is there anything else you want right now?”
I grab his shirt and pull him closer. “Kiss me. That’s what I want.”
Everything moves in slow motion, starting when Colby’s lips touch mine. My body lights up, hotter than the summer sun. I’m on fire, burning from the inside out.
Growing impatient, I moan breathlessly. “Colby?”
He nips the tender flesh behind my ear and groans low in his chest. “Yeah?”
“I want you . . . now.”
His lips still against mine and he pulls back, teasing me with that devilish smile of his. “You sure?”
“Yes,” I claim breathlessly. “I’ve wanted to be with you all day. Unless you’d rather go home with blue balls.”
I gasp as he pushes me into the bed. Lifting my hands above my head, he holds me prisoner while he bites his way along my collarbone and down to the mounds of my breasts.
“Don’t want that,” he chuckles, grabbing one of my breasts. He pinches a nipple between his fingers and the sensation shoots through me.
Lifting off me, Colby sits back and slides my shorts and T-shirt off. I tremble as I watch him stand and undress. Slowly, I glide my fingers down his washboard abs and slide his boxers down to the ground, his cock so thick and hard I can barely wrap my hand around him. Holding him tight, I pump the full length of his cock and lick the tip, rendering a strangled moan from between his lips.
“You�
�re fucking killing me, Bri.” I let him go and he hauls me up, until I’m standing before him. He closes his lips over a taut nipple and sucks feverishly.
“More,” I rasp, arching my back.
“I’ll give you more,” he growls, sliding down my body. “But first,” he gently pushes me back down on the bed, “I want to explore.” Goose bumps break out all over my skin as Colby starts at my ankles and runs his hands up the length of my legs until he gets to my center.
I let my head fall back as my core tightens. When his face pushes between my legs and his tongue licks a straight line up and over my clit, I suck in a huge gasp.
As I turn my gaze down, we make eye contact and I almost lose it. Bringing my hands around the back of his head, I rake my fingers through his hair as he tongue-fucks me. Over and over, he licks and sucks my clit until I can’t take it anymore.
“Give in to me,” he commands. “Let me taste you.”
Just hearing his words is my undoing. Grinding against his face, I explode from the inside out, gripping handfuls of his dark tresses as he tastes every drop of my desire.
“That felt amazing.” My body quivers as it comes down from its orgasm-induced high, and Colby is all too happy with my reaction. His cock throbs between my legs as I tease him by sliding along its length, only letting the tip inside me.
With short, gentle strokes, I glide up and down, until his grip tightens on my hips and he growls. “You’re playing with fire.”
Giggling, I lower down inch by inch until he’s completely inside of me.
“You feel so fucking good.” With one hand tugging on my hair, he grabs a breast with the other. His grip on my hair tightens and I arch my back, still moving my hips as he ravishes my nipples. “Jesus. If you don’t stop, I’m going to come.” Picking me up by the hips, we stay connected as he flips us around and collapses on top of me.
I wrap my legs around his waist and hold on tight as he thrusts deep and hard. Faster and faster he pumps, his lips still suckling on one of my nipples. The harder he sucks and pushes, the closer I come to losing myself; we’re both almost to the edge.