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.”