Once out of sight behind the door, I sigh and lean against the wall. William chuckles and his voice echoes against the stone walls. “This is amazing. You didn’t tell me you had secret passageways.”
I glance up at the circular staircase. “Yeah, my dad did it to keep me entertained. I used to love running around this house.”
“What happened with Colby, Brielle?”
Groaning, I close my eyes. “Everything. The man drives me insane.”
“But yet, you still love him.” The breath catches in my lungs and I can feel the burn behind my eyes. When I open them, William can see right through me. He cups my face in his hands. “You need to just tell him how you feel and get it over with. Keeping all this anger inside of you isn’t healthy.”
I scoff. “No, but it feels good to hate him. Makes him leaving not hurt as bad.”
He shakes his head. “That’s a lie and you know it. Where is he right now?”
There’s only one place I know he’ll be. “Probably at the stables.”
“Then go,” he says, nodding toward the door. “I’ll handle your father if he asks where you’re at.” He brushes off his shoulders. “He loves me.” Which is true, my father does like him and has told me plenty of times that he wants us together. William has a charisma about him that everyone seems to be attracted to. William pulls me over to the door. “Go. I got this.”
My heart beats uncontrollably and I know it’s now or never. “Thanks, Will. I love you for this.”
He winks. “I know. When you get back, I want to hear everything.”
There’s no way I can go to the stables in my dress, so I rush up the stairs while William sneaks back through the secret door. I quickly change into a pair of jeans, my boots, and a dark T-shirt. The last thing I want is someone recognizing me. There’s already a hat in my car I can use. Now all I have to do is get down to my car unnoticed. I sneak down the staircase and through the secret door. Once I’m out the back door of the kitchen, I sprint across the yard to my car.
Luckily, I get away without anyone seeing me. Over the years, I had to learn to be stealth, especially with keeping mine and Colby’s relationship a secret. It doesn’t take long to get to the stables, and when I pull into the parking lot, Colby’s truck is there. I knew it. I grab my baseball cap and slip it on.
It’s dark, but I can see the lights in the stables up ahead. My chest hurts from my heart pounding so achingly hard. Do I really want to confront him again? Yes and no. My goal was to make him think I didn’t give a shit that he left. I’m failing miserably. The more I keep things bottled up, the worse I feel. I can’t stand feeling like this anymore.
I storm into the stables and that’s when I see him with Maximus. He’s already changed out of his suit and into a pair of jeans and a snug T-shirt that hugs his perfectly sculpted biceps. I remember what it was like to be held in those arms. My gut clenches and I hide in one of the empty stalls. Colby rubs a hand down the midnight-colored stallion’s back with such tenderness. If only he knew how to treat women that way. I’m not a damsel in distress kind of woman, but dammit to hell, if he didn’t break my heart.
Groaning silently, I crouch down inside the stall. It was a mistake to come here. Now I only hope he didn’t see me. I peek through one of the cracks in the wood. Colby takes off his shirt and crams it into his back pocket.
“I know you’re there, Bri,” he calls out, running his hands down Maximus’ mane.
“Dammit,” I hiss, clenching my fists tight.
“Don’t you think it’s time we talked? You can’t hide from me forever.” His footsteps grow closer, and I freeze, hoping he’ll walk past. I slide down into the corner and hold my breath as he walks by. “I want to say I’m sorry. There’s so much I have to say.”
“Just drive the wedge in even harder, asshole,” I mumble to myself.
“I need you to come out and talk to me. I can make you if I have to, which might be kind of fun for me. You don’t want me to enjoy this, do you?” What I really want to do is smack him on the head. “Brielle?” His voice grows farther away until I hear his footsteps leave the stables. If I run out the other side, I might be able to get back to my car without him seeing me. Taking a deep breath, I slowly get to my feet and glance over the stall; the coast is clear.