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I was stunned by his words. I only wished I could've seen it for myself. I cupped his face and said, "I'm so proud of you, Brooks. But I never wanted this. I never wanted you to have to end your relationship with your father."
"There was no relationship," he responded. "If I'd really been his son, he’d have wanted better things for me. But all he really wanted was a mirror image of himself."
"What did he say to all that?"
Brooks dropped his eyes and shook his head. "It's not important."
I tipped his chin up and said, "It's important to me."
"He said you got what you deserve. That you’d been a punk kid and you ended up exactly where you should have."
None of that surprised me because James Cunningham had never been my biggest fan. He’d always had this strange need to be the center of attention and the best at everything. But when it came to horses, I'd been able to handle his prize stallion better. In fact, I'd been one of the only people who’d been able to handle the unruly animal. James Cunningham had seen that as a punk sixteen-year-old kid besting him. It'd been an unforgivable act. But it had been nothing like what that man had done to my family.
"What did he say about you?" I asked, because I was more interested in that. I wished I could have been there for Brooks when he’d confronted the man, only so that I could’ve given him support. I was immensely proud of him for standing up for himself and me, but I had no doubt that he loved his father, still loved him. Just like I’d loved my own. Severing those ties would've been a difficult thing to do, and I’d never wanted that for him, despite my hatred of James Cunningham.
"Xavier, it really doesn't matter." I could tell Brooks was trying to put on a brave face, but I also knew he had to be heartbroken.
"Please tell me, sweetheart."
"He said it was no big loss, me walking away. He said I’d never been the son he wanted anyway."
"I'm sorry, Brooks." I pulled him into my arms, but this time he didn't cry. "What about your mom?" I asked.
"I didn't really get a chance to talk to her. When I was done with my dad, I got out of there. Just wanted to get back to you." He pushed back a little so he could look me in the eye. "Xavier, I sent you texts to let you know where I was. I called and your sister answered. When I realized you didn't have your phone, I completely—"
"It doesn't matter, Brooks. I shouldn’t have assumed the worst." I couldn’t stop rubbing his cheek. "I'm just so glad you came for me," I whispered.
"Always," Brooks murmured.
"I love you, Brooks. I love you so much."
"Me too," he whispered hoarsely. We embraced for several moments, then he leaned against me and said, "Xavier, will you tell me what happened that night? I know you didn't burn the barn down. Mr. Mattis said you pled guilty to that, but I know you didn't do it."
"How do you know?" I asked curiously.
"I just know," was all he said.
I pulled in a breath because I knew I owed Brooks the truth about that night, but it was a dangerous secret and not mine to share. Brooks must've sensed my hesitation, because he turned so that we were face-to-face again and he murmured, "Your secrets will be my secrets, Xavier. I would never put you or anyone who was important to you in danger. As far as I'm concerned, that night is in the past and we don't ever have to speak of it again after today if you don't want. But I need to know so I can carry it with you. It's too heavy of a burden for you to shoulder alone."
My love for the man in front of me soared even higher. I didn't know where to begin, so I began with one of the easier truths from that night. "I couldn't wait for our riding lesson that night." I stroked his cheek as I spoke. "I had all these plans."
"Like what?" Brooks asked with a small smile.
"Plans to get you to let me kiss you."
Brooks grinned and said, "You definitely didn't need to plan that. I was going to throw myself at you and just see what happened."
We both laughed and I leaned in and gave him a quick kiss. I didn't dwell on the fact that we’d both lost out that night because I'd resolved to let go of all that anger and resentment. I'd lost ten years because of the events of that night, but I had a lifetime to look forward to with Brooks. That was all I cared about.
