I can’t stop from smiling. “It was a good night.” I sit down at the table and pour myself a glass of juice. My stomach growls. “I’m so hungry right now.”
William takes the seat across from me. He looks different with his blond hair a mess and wearing just a T-shirt and pajama pants. I like it. “What are we doing today?”
I scoop some eggs onto my plate and grab a couple pieces of bacon. “Just the usual. Parties here and there. We’re almost done with it all.”
He brings his coffee cup to his lips. “And when it’s all done, you’ll tell your father the truth?”
“Yep,” I say. “And I’m going to make sure he doesn’t do anything to jeopardize Colby’s work. One way or another, he has to accept him. I won’t give him up, not after he lied to me about why he left in the first place.”
“I don’t blame you. Hopefully, it all works out. I’ll be here for you no matter what.”
“Thanks,” I tell him, squeezing his hand. “I appreciate it.”
He finishes off his coffee and nods toward the door. “I’m going out to get the newspaper. I’ve gotten to where I like reading stories about you southern folk.”
Rolling my eyes, I wave him off. “You stay here long enough you’ll become one of us southern folk. You might even get the accent.”
Shaking his head, he laughs and walks outside. There is nothing southern about William. I still haven’t managed to get him to eat grits, but one day, I will succeed. Sweet tea is still gross to him, but in time, he’ll grow to love it. I have a long list of foods I want him to try including fried okra, banana pudding, biscuits and gravy, southern BBQ, chicken pot pie, and so many other things. I can’t wait to introduce him to it all.
I take a bite of the eggs and they practically melt in my mouth. They’re so good. William walks inside with his eyes transfixed on the newspaper. “These eggs are fantastic, William. Do I taste the hint of garlic in them?” He doesn’t answer me, only keeps his attention on the paper. “William?”
A look of concern passes over his face when he lifts his gaze to mine. “We have a problem.”
Taking the seat beside me, he sets the newspaper down in front of me. Right in the middle of the paper is a large picture of me and Colby … kissing. I’m in my lavender dress and we’re standing by Maximus’ stall.
I slap a hand over my mouth. “Oh, my God.” The only word I can focus on in the article is scandal. It’s written everywhere. “What am I going to do?”
William shrugs and lets out a huge sigh. “I don’t know.”
My phone rings and I rush over to the kitchen counter to grab it. I want it to be Colby, but when I look down at the number, it’s not him. It’s my father. William comes up to me and puts an arm over my shoulder. “You’re going to have to tell him the truth now.”
I’m nervous and completely unprepared. I don’t care about what people say about me. I love who I love. My only concern is Colby. He’s worked too hard to be thrown under the bus.
“Hello,” I say, trying to keep my voice strong.
“What the hell is going on, Brielle?” my father yells. “Why is there a picture of you on the first page of the newspaper, kissing that horse’s ass?”
Anger burns through my veins. “Colby’s a good guy, Dad,” I spat. “He told me what you tried to do with Maximus. That’s the real reason why he left us. You lied to me.”
The line goes silent, but only for a second. “He’s not good enough for you and he never will be,” he growls low. “I’m going to make this story disappear. It’s either him or your family, Brielle. The choice is yours.”
He hangs up and my heart stops.
7
Colby
Maximus runs along the paddock. His dark coat makes him hard to see when he’s out of my sight, but I can hear him—huffing, and I can see steam coming from his nostrils. Every morning, I give him a few minutes to wake-up, to stretch his legs before we begin training. I look at my watch and count the minutes until the sun will start to rise. It’s the best time to train a horse or give him a workout. Once Maximus is done, he’ll go back into the stables for breakfast. He’ll get a bath, a nap, and he’ll chat with his other horse friends. I know it seems stupid to think the animals talk to each other, but they do.
Kendrick Murphy joins me as I watch Maximus run. He’s ready to take him out onto the track for a test run. I glance him, he’s in his partial jockey gear, wearing Maximus’ colors on his shirt, but he’s opted for jeans this morning.