Page 85 of A Montana Rodeo Star

“I’m so sorry, Brent,” she rasped, her hand covering his.

He shook his head again. “No more apologies. I just wanted to get my thoughts out there so you understood. But then you’ve never really had a problem understanding where people are coming from.”

She smiled at his compliment, then tugged his hand to her lap and stared at it as she thought about what she needed to say next. “Have you talked to your parents at all? To get their side of things?”

“You sound like Tripp.” Brent attempted to pull his hand free, but she tightened her hold on him.

“I mean it, Brent. You should hear them out. Even if it’s just to get some closure. You can’t purge people from your life just because you feel betrayed. Clinging to those poisonous feelings will only bring you misery.”

“I’m already pretty miserable. I won that gat dang competition and I couldn’t share the news with anyone.”

“You shared with me.”

He flicked his eyes to her. “You know what I mean. And to make things worse? Lonestar Threads wants to sponsor me.”

She gasped and jumped to her feet with a squeal before knocking his shoulder with the back of her hand. “Brent! Way to bury the lead! That’s amazing! They’re the biggest advertisers for almost every event, aren’t they?”

He nodded slowly. “I don’t know if I’m going to take it.”

Faith didn’t think it was possible for her eyes to widen any further, but she knew better than to prod him on this now. He was dealing with his own personal crisis. Before she had a chance to ask him what his next steps would be, he spoke up.

“Do you think if I went to talk to my folks, you could come with?”

Faith winced when Brent gripped her hand a little tighter. They sat across from his parents even though it was the middle of the night. Brent hadn’t wanted to lose his nerve and he’d insisted that his parents wouldn’t mind being pulled out of bed since according to Tripp no one was getting any sleep.

Tripp was of course gone on his honeymoon, but he’d checked in with Brent when they’d arrived in Georgia.

Brent eased his grip on her after her reaction and mumbled an apology.

The way they were sitting mirrored his parents. Heather appeared as though she hadn’t slept for even an hour since the news came out. Judd was haggard, but there were no signs of emotion on his face.

Heather cleared her throat. “I’m sorry we didn’t tell you. We just thought…” She shut her eyes and tears spilled down her cheeks. “I didn’t want you to look at your father any differently. I didn’t want you having nightmares about the man who sired you. I know it’s irrational, but I thought that if I could give you the perfect childhood, then one day I’d tell you about him. About Louis.”

Based on the way Brent’s grip tightened yet again, Faith could tell he didn’t like that answer. “I deserved to know who my father was.” His eyes darted to Judd apologetically. “My other father,” he corrected. “You knew how much I loved the rodeo. You knew it was something I wanted to do for myself. And yet you kept it from me. Kept him from me. I don’t know how my life might have been different if I’d known, but I deserved the courtesy to make my own choices. Especially after I became an adult. Instead, you backed me into a corner and told me I couldn’t compete if I wanted to remain part of this family. What would my father have said to that?”

Both Heather and Judd flinched. It wasn’t much, but it was also everything. Brent relaxed somewhat.

“What about his family? We never interacted with other aunts and uncles. No other grandparents.”

“Louis was brought up in the foster system. He didn’t really have family. I think that was one of the reasons the rodeo called to him. He saved every penny he got from competitions and the jobs he could get to buy gear and enter more competitions. Nothing was free. Every ounce of talent came from his own blood, sweat, and tears.”

Pride flickered across Brent’s features which spurred a small smile from Heather. She reached across the coffee table and placed a hand on his knee. No one was more surprised than Faith that Brent didn’t withdraw from his mother’s touch.

“We met at the rodeo. I fell in love with him almost instantly.” She glanced at Judd. “Louis was my first love. He made me a believer. He was the reason I picked up and moved with him. We were going to be together forever.” Her voice cracked. “We had dreams of living out of an RV that he’d fix up. Of owning a food truck we could take on the road. It was all mapped out.” Tears fell fresh down her cheeks. “He was the best. There was never a horse that he couldn’t handle. And then one day he didn’t get up.” She pressed a trembling hand to her lips. “Seconds, Brent. My whole life changed in mere seconds. And I vowed I’d never feel that hopeless again. I had to pick myself up and move on. I had to keep living for Tripp, for you. Happiness wasn’t even a blip on my radar… until Judd made me believe love was possible again.” Love shone in their eyes and Faith had to fight her own tears.

“I know this isn’t easy and we didn’t go about this the right way, but please believe me when I tell you how sorry we are. If I could go back and do things differently, I would. I wouldn’t have succumbed to my own demons while making excuses that it was for your benefit.” Heather withdrew her hand and swiped at her face. “You deserved better, Brent.”

He remained stoic as he took in what his mother was saying. Then he nodded to both of his parents. “If it’s okay with you, I’m going to let these things simmer a bit.”

Heather looked like her heart had been broken yet again, but she nodded grimly at him. Judd did the same. And Brent stood, taking Faith with him.

“I’m going to take Faith home.” Brent started moving toward the door.

“Will you come back?”

They both paused at her words. Then Brent let out a heavy breath. “Yeah, I’ll sleep here tonight.”

Faith was quiet on the drive home. She was quiet when he walked her to her door. And she remained quiet as Brent kept hold of her hand, not letting her slip away.