Love All Out - The Complete Series (A Stepbrother Romance) (42 page)

BOOK: Love All Out - The Complete Series (A Stepbrother Romance)
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“Whatever you need,” Matt assured him.

“I’m starving. The powdered eggs and limp bacon this place tried to pass off as breakfast was repulsive. And I’ve heard Willow’s stomach rumbling all morning. Would you mind running across the street and getting some actual food? I’d kill for a sausage biscuit combo.”

“No problem,” Matt said, rising to his feet. “Willow, babe, do you want anything?”

“I’ll take some biscuits and gravy,” Lucas replied.

James turned to me. “Why don’t you go with him? It would do you good to stretch your legs a little. And it would give Lucas and me a chance to talk about the rodeo next month.”

As if on cue, my stomach growled. “Guess I can’t argue with that. If they discharge you before we get back, call Matt’s cell. Mine’s been dead since last night.”

“Will do,” James agreed.

I gave him a quick kiss and then followed Matt out of the hospital room.

 

***

 

Two hours later, James and I stood on the front porch watching Matt and Lucas disappear down the driveway. “Are you ready for this?” I asked as I reached for the doorknob.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” he agreed and blew out a breath. I pushed the door open and we stepped into the living room.

“Willow, James, is that you?” Daddy’s voice boomed from the kitchen. “Please join us in here.”

I’d called Daddy from the hospital to let him know we were on our way home. James and I found him and Renee at the kitchen table with a fresh pot of tea. Renee’s eyes were red and puffy, but Daddy looked calm and collected. Frost was dozing on a doggy bed next to his feet.

“How are you feeling, James?” Daddy asked as we stepped into the room.

“Surprisingly well,” he replied with a cautious half smile.

“I’m glad to hear it.” Daddy gestured for us to sit and continued. “I know you’re probably tired and Lord knows that you could both use a shower. But there are a few things we need to discuss, given our new… situation.”

I took the chair to Daddy’s left, directly across from Renee. I tried to gauge her mood, but she wouldn’t make eye contact with me.

“I know you must have plenty of questions, Daddy. We’ll tell you anything you want to know.”

“Renee answered most of my questions,” he told us. “As soon as I knew the truth, all sorts of things started clicking into place. I’m not even going to ask what the hell you were thinking when you decided to keep this to yourselves. You should have said something months ago.”

I braced myself for a long lecture but, surprisingly, Daddy moved on pretty quickly.

“There’s nothing we can do about that now,” he continued. “Renee explained her feelings about this and I completely understand where she’s coming from. You’re both young and our family circumstances make everything doubly complicated. But, I also know what it’s like to love someone so much that you’re willing to risk everything to be with him. That’s how I felt about Rose and how I feel about Renee. I know we can’t stop you, so I’m not going to try.”

Oh my God. Is he saying what I think he’s saying? Is he giving us his blessing?

James cleared his throat. “Cole, I want you to believe me. I know this complicates things and if I wasn’t absolutely sure that Willow and I are soul mates, I’d walk away. I love her. I will spend the rest of my life making sure she’s happy.”

“I will hold you to that, son,” Daddy told him. “Now, while I’m not going to stop you from being together, I am going to lay down some ground rules, given our living situation. Under no circumstances are the two of you allowed to sleep together under one of my roofs. Call me a hypocrite if you want, but Willow is my baby girl and I just won’t have it. If you want to live together somewhere else, there’s nothing I can do to stop you.”

“That’s more than fair,” James assured him and I could have sworn he blushed a little.

“Second, there are to be no more secrets in this family,” Daddy continued. “I strongly suspect that there was something going on with Bradley that I didn’t know about. From what I saw in Baltimore, I’m guessing he knew about you two and was making life difficult.”

I was stunned. “You saw us outside the resort that morning,” I realized out loud. “But why didn’t you say anything?”

Daddy shrugged. “Everyone was so excited about the race, it didn’t seem like the time to bring it up. I was going to say something when you got home the next day, after Bradley was caught with Thunder. But then…”

“You had a heart attack and forgot about it,” I finished, my own heart seizing with the memory.

Daddy nodded. “I don’t need to hear the story now. But in the future, I want to hear about anything and anyone who bothers you.”

I shifted nervously in my seat. “I think we’re about to have a lot of people bothered
by
us,” I confessed. “James and I know what we are to each other and we don’t care what small minded people will say. I hope you feel the same way.”

“I don’t think there’s anything dirty about your relationship,” Daddy replied. “And I’ll be happy to share that opinion with anyone who thinks otherwise.”

“Thank you, Cole,” James said. He turned to Renee, who hadn’t said a word since we’d arrived home. “What about you, Mom? Have you changed your mind? Or are you going to refuse to have anything to do with us?”

Renee turned up her nose and sniffled. “I still think that it’s a horrible idea,” she insisted. “You’re just so young. But Cole and I had a long talk, and I’ve agreed to handle this his way. I only want what’s best for both of you. If you’re so certain that’s each other, I won’t stand in your way.”

James and I simultaneously exhaled and he reached for my hand under the table. “You guys have no idea how much this means to us,” James told our parents. “I hope you won’t mind if I accompany Willow to New York tomorrow. The doctor said it’s perfectly safe for me to fly and I don’t want to miss her big day.”

“That’s fine with me, James,” Daddy replied. “In fact, I’ll feel better if you were with her. Renee and I are going to throw a watch party here at the house, so we’ll be with you in spirit. I wish we could join you but, unlike James, my doctors won’t clear me to fly just yet.”

“I understand, Daddy. You’ll be there next time,” I said with a smile. For the first time since James had walked into my life, I felt like I didn’t have a care in the world. I knew that from that moment forward, we’d handle whatever life threw at us as a team.

“If you want to be there this time, you should probably start packing,” Daddy teased. “We can call this family meeting adjourned.”

I stood and kissed Daddy on top of the head before escaping to a long, hot shower.

CHAPTER 2

“Well… how do I look?” I asked James as I stepped out of the bathroom of our suite at The Garden City Hotel. It was Friday evening and we were about to go to the Belmont Charity Ball. I knew that Mondo would be racing in green silks, so I’d chosen an emerald satin gown for the occasion. James took my hand and lifted it into the air. I did a complete spin and my skirt twirled around me.

“You look amazing,” James said as he pulled me into his arms. He planted a soft kiss on my neck and stared into my eyes. “The more important question is how do you feel? I know this is a big weekend for you. We don’t have to make it obvious we’re together if you don’t want to deal with the extra attention on top of everything else.”

“This isn’t just a big weekend,” I corrected him. “This could be one of the biggest weekends of my life. And the last thing I want to do is hide our relationship away again. I’m proud to be with you, James. And anyone who has a problem with it can kiss my ass.”

He smiled and kissed me on the cheek. “There’s the feisty girl I fell in love with. Are you ready to head down to the lobby? We’re supposed to meet Matt and Lucas at the bar in five minutes.”

I nodded and grabbed my beaded evening bag. James looked absolutely dashing in a black tuxedo with a cream satin vest and bow tie. He offered me his arm and we made our way to the hotel lobby. Matt and Lucas were already there, waiting at a table with four cocktails.

“Willow, you look gorgeous,” Matt squealed as we approached the table.

“You two cleaned up pretty good yourselves,” I smiled back at him as James and I slid into the booth. Matt was wearing a pinstriped tuxedo, while Lucas’s was charcoal. Both wore periwinkle blue ties and vests that complimented their nearly identical eyes.

“The limo should be here in ten minutes,” Lucas told us as he pushed two drinks to our side of the table. “We thought a nice, stiff drink was in order for all of us.”

I looked across the table and realized that James and I weren’t the only ones a little nervous about being a couple in public. In Baltimore, Matt and Lucas had acted like nothing more than friends at all of the racing events. I realized that wouldn’t be the case in New York. I downed half of my Manhattan, the whiskey burning my throat as it went down.

“Are you nervous about what people will say?” Matt asked.

“A little,” I confessed. “You?”

“Terrified,” he agreed. He grabbed Lucas’s hand and gave me a determined smile. “But my nerves aren’t going to stop me.”

“Same here,” James told us. He tossed back his drink and set the empty glass on the table.

“We should probably head outside to meet the car,” Lucas said. The rest of us finished our cocktails and then we shuffled out to the parking lot. As we’d hoped, the limousine we’d ordered was waiting by the curb. We piled into the backseat and drank our way through a bottle of champagne while the car carried us to Belmont Hall. The alcohol steeled my nerves and when we arrived at the ball, I felt like the heroine of my very own fairytale.

If other people can’t see the beauty in our story, then fuck them. They don’t matter anyway.

The driver stopped at the entryway and we shuffled out of the limousine. I looped my arm through James’s and smiled inside when I saw Matt do the same to Lucas. I gave James a quick squeeze and walked into the hall with my head held high.

“Willow Rogers, I was hoping to see you here.” Daniel Forrest’s voice boomed through the lobby. I turned to see him standing near the hall entrance. I waved at him with one hand and increased my grip on James with the other. He walked towards us and I took a deep breath.

Here we go, our first revelation. I’m kind of relieved it’s Daniel. He’s always been easy to talk to. I doubt he’ll think we’re perverts.

“It’s so good to see you, Daniel,” I said as I shook his hand. “Is your family with you tonight, or are you on your own?”

More specifically, is your slutty daughter Layla here? I’d like to see her try to shove her tits in James’s face again so I can put her in her place.

“Louisa and Veronica sat this trip out, but Layla’s here. She’s in the hall already. I’m a little disappointed we weren’t seated with you tonight. Boys, it’s nice to see you,” he nodded to James, Matt, and Lucas. He did a double take when he noticed Matt and Lucas were holding each other, but he recovered quickly.

“I hear Colby Spencer paid you a visit,” Daniel continued. “He seems quite put out that you wouldn’t sell to him. He’s inside too. I got the impression he’s really looking forward to seeing you again,” he said with a suggestive twinkle in his eye.

“I’m afraid Colby Spencer is wasting his time,” I said slowly. “In regards to his interest in me
and
my horses.” I tightened my grip on James’s arm and realization spread across Daniel’s face.

“Oh… I didn’t realize,” he said, his facing turning a light pink. Then his forehead wrinkled and he asked softly, “I thought your parents were involved.”

“They are,” James replied. “They’re engaged, actually. Willow and I realize that our relationship is a bit… unconventional, but…”

Daniel interrupted with a wave of his hand. “The heart wants what it wants. No need to explain yourselves to me. In fact, I have a cousin in a similar situation. Her daughter got engaged, and she fell in love with her new son in-law’s father during a family vacation. Believe me, stranger things have happened. Tell me, Willow. How’s your father doing? I was horrified to hear about his heart attack.”

The back of my eyes burned and I felt the tension leave my body as I realized how easily Daniel accepted us and changed the conversation. We spoke with Daniel for a few more minutes and then stepped into the hall to find our table.

I’d soon find out that not everyone was so understanding.

I was relieved to learn we’d been seated with a group of tourists from California. Dinner was easy and enjoyable, since our fellow diners knew nothing of our strange family situation. We ate and drank a few too many cocktails while laughing with our new friends. That all changed when the dessert plates were cleared and the eighties cover band took to the stage.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned to find Colby Spencer standing behind me. James clenched his jaw and stared daggers at Colby’s hand, still resting on my shoulder. I shrugged away from him as he spoke.

“Willow, I’m so happy you came. This must be the group of friends you were talking about. Hello, I’m Colby Spencer,” he said to the guys.

I introduced everyone; Matt and Lucas both replied with polite nods, but James narrowed his eyes and frowned. Colby ignored him and turned back to me.

“I wish you’d have accepted my offer. There’s plenty of room at the house for all of you. And seriously, who turns down a vacation in the Hamptons?”

James balled his hands into fists and I knew I had to shut Colby up before he made things worse. I put an arm around James as I spoke.

“We appreciate the offer, but we’re all trying to squeeze in as much romance as possible between the racing events.”

“Oh… I didn’t realize…” Colby stammered. He blushed for a moment and then his eyes narrowed. “James Parker, you said? Isn’t your father marrying a woman named Parker?”

“Yes,” I replied, my voice clear and strong. “Daddy’s engaged to Renee, James’s mother.”

“So… your parents are getting married and the two of you are dating? Isn’t that… unnecessarily awkward? I mean, I know Durango is a small town. But surely you have more options than your brother,” Colby insisted with a pout. He was reacting the exact same way he had when I refused to sell him one of my horses.

Our new friends from California looked shocked and started whispering among themselves. I didn’t care what any of them thought and I had no problem telling them so.

“Not that I have any obligation to justify myself to you, but our parents’ marriage doesn’t make us related,” I said, trying to keep my voice as even as possible. On the plane ride to New York, James and I had agreed to remain calm and polite, regardless of other people’s reactions to us. We knew we’d have to defend ourselves, but we also knew that hostility wouldn’t win anyone’s understanding.

James took my hand and looked up at Colby. “I think you know firsthand that Willow has plenty of options. She chose me.”

Colby blushed again and then recovered with an exaggerated smile. “Yes, of course. I apologize… I guess you caught me off guard. Good luck tomorrow, Willow. Enjoy your evening.” He backed away from the table and escaped to the bar.

“That wasn’t so bad,” Matt laughed. “In fact, it was kind of fun to watch him squirm.”

“Anyone want to bet on how long it takes the news to spread through this room?” Lucas asked, nodding towards the bar. Colby was surrounded by a group of people who seemed to be hanging on to his every word. When their eyes collectively widened and several mouths dropped open, I knew he was talking about me and James.

“Oh well.” I shrugged. I took a long sip of my champagne and returned the empty glass to the table. “I think it’s better this way. Everyone will know without me having to spout the same explanation over and over. Let them talk. I want to dance.” I rose from my seat, pulling James up with me.

“What my baby wants, my baby gets,” he said with a wide grin. He put his hand on the small of my back and led me out onto the dance floor just as the final chord of
Walk this Way
echoed through the room. The band launched into one of the decade’s most popular hair ballads and James pulled me into his arms.

“You are an amazing woman to witness in action, Willow,” James whispered into my ear. “The way you kept your cool and stood up for us. It was inspiring.”

“Oh yeah,” I grinned into his neck as he moved me around the floor. “Inspiring how?”

“It’s a surprise,” he whispered, his voice rough and seductive. “I’ll demonstrate the moment I get you alone.”

He swayed me towards the edge of the dance floor, turned his back to the crowd, and slid his hands down to my ass. He pulled them away just as quickly as we turned with the music.

“Was that a preview?” I laughed, but shivered in anticipation.

“Something like that,” he agreed with a grin.

It feels so amazing to finally be able to show my love for this man. I don’t care if Mondo wins or loses tomorrow. This will still be
one of the best weekends of my life.

I stood on my tip toes, cradled James’s face in my hands, and pulled his lips to mine.

“Oh my God! It’s true?” I heard a woman gasp as our tongues met. I dropped my hands and backed away from James, turning to the sound of the voice. My eyes fell on Layla Forrest. She stood a few feet behind me, her hands on her hips and her face indignant.

James wrapped an arm around my shoulders and greeted her with a smile. “Layla, it’s so nice to see you again. Yes, it’s true. Willow and I are very much in love with each other.”

She rolled her eyes at us. “You know that’s sick, right?”

James gave her a puzzled look, as if the thought had never crossed his mind. “I certainly don’t understand how. It’s certainly a coincidence that our parents feel the same way about each other. But I don’t see anything sick, per se.” He gave her a challenging look and she took a few steps back.

“But it’s… you could have,” she stammered.

“I already have exactly what I want,” he interrupted her with a reassuring tone. “Let’s talk about you, Layla. Are you seeing anyone special? If not, there’s a great guy I’d love to introduce you to. You’re familiar with the Spencers, aren’t you? I think you and Colby might really hit it off.”

As James spoke, he moved away from me and put a friendly hand on Layla’s shoulder. Confusion was etched on her face, but she let James lead her towards the Spencer’s table. He gave me a playful wink over his shoulder and I burst into laughter right there on the dance floor.

 

***

 

We arrived back at our hotel at one o’clock in the morning. I held James’s arm as the doorman ushered us into the lobby. As we neared the elevator, James pulled away from me.

“Lucas and I need to check on something,” he explained. “Why don’t you two head upstairs? We’ll be up in a few minutes.”

What could they possibly need to check on at one o’clock in the morning?

I was dying to get James upstairs and didn’t understand what was so important that he was making me wait.

“What could you possibly need to deal with right now?” Matt asked, echoing my confusion.

“It’s a surprise,” Lucas replied with a sly smile. “And I don’t want to ruin it.”

I looked at James with a cocked eyebrow and suspicious grin. “A surprise, huh?”

He took my face in his hands and kissed my forehead. “Yes, a surprise. And we’ve put a lot of thought into it. Indulge us.”

Matt took me by the arm and pulled me towards the elevator. “Come on, Willow. If they want to give us some fantastic surprise, who are we to stand in the way?” he asked, his voice giddy with anticipation. He had a point.

I turned back to James with sultry eyes. “Don’t be long.”

He winked at me just as the elevator doors opened. “We’ll be right up.”

Matt pulled me into the elevator and pushed the button for the eleventh floor. He kept his cool until the doors closed and then let out a shrill squeal. “Oh my God, this has been the most amazing night already! What do you think they’re up to now?”

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