Read Online Love All Out - Part 3 (A Stepbrother Romance) by Alice Ward - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Alice Ward
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out of proportion,” I said defiantly. I sat up straight in my seat and held my head high.
“If that’s true, why are you here?” Bradley asked.
I slunk back into the seat and stared out the window. I knew Bradley was right, and couldn’t think of anything to say in my defense. I saw lights in the distance and was relieved that soon, I’d at least be able to escape the car.
“That’s what I thought,” Bradley said smugly.
The road widened to four lanes and streetlights lined the shoulders. We drove past a small residential area and into downtown Durango. I spotted the neon sign for Lawson’s Steakhouse a few blocks down the road.
“All right, Willow, remember the rules. If you play your role, this should be relatively painless.”
I sighed and resigned myself to the hell of the next few hours. I checked my makeup in the visor mirror as Bradley pulled into the restaurant’s parking lot.
“Don’t get out, I’ll come get you,” he instructed as he took a space near the front door. He parked, got out of the car, and circled around to open my door.
I doubt anyone is watching us. This is probably overkill. But at least he’s being too nice again, instead of a royal jackass.
Bradley opened my door and offered me his hand. I accepted it and stepped out of the car.
“Are you ready, sweetheart?” he asked with exaggerated sweetness.
“As I’ll ever be, honey doodle,” I replied. I gave him my best fake smile, took his arm, and we walked into the restaurant.
***
“So Willow, Bradley here tells us that you think your horse has a chance at the Crown. Tell me, how much equity do you still own in him?” Charles McMullen, the elder of the McMullen brothers, asked me. Charles looked to be in his late fifties or early sixties. He had pale skin, grey eyes, and ash blonde hair that was gray at the temples.
“Just five percent,” I said with a modest smile. “Mondo was born at my ranch. I couldn’t bear to part with him completely.”
“I hear that five percent equity is a standard clause when you sell a horse or a stud service,” Wyatt McMullen, the younger brother added. I only knew he was the younger brother because that’s how he introduced himself. His features were nearly identical to Charles’s.
I nodded. “I take pride in what I produce. A lot of time, effort, and thought go into putting together a perfect breeding pair. I think that’s worth five percent of whatever the foal turns in to.”
Bradley nudged me under the table and I realized he thought I’d spent too much time talking about myself. We’d been at the restaurant for twenty minutes, and this was the first time I’d spoken other than saying a brief, near silent hello.
“That shows good business sense,” Wyatt told me. “I wish my wife could find a hobby like that. It would kill two birds with one stone: she’d be out of my hair for a few hours a day and she’d be contributing a little money to the household.”
Hobby? Did he really just call my work a fucking hobby?
I took a long sip of my wine and steadied my rapidly fraying nerves. “Yes, it is nice to have something to occupy myself with while Bradley works all day,” I said, my voice sugary sweet. “He’s been working so hard since Mr. Miller decided to retire. I’m so proud of him.” I put my hand over Bradley’s and stared at him with adoration. He smiled back at me.
“Thank you, sweetheart. It’s so nice to know you appreciate everything I’ve been doing lately.”
Wyatt grabbed a stuffed mushroom from our appetizer tray and popped it into his mouth. “She’s a smart girl, Bradley. She knows the harder you work, the better off she’ll be.”
Great. I have to keep a dumb smile on my face and mind my manners like a lady while this guy talks with food in his mouth.
Charles nodded. “You definitely have a keeper here, kid. Not only is she a looker, but she also knows just how to bump up against the line without crossing it.”
I probably don’t
“If that’s true, why are you here?” Bradley asked.
I slunk back into the seat and stared out the window. I knew Bradley was right, and couldn’t think of anything to say in my defense. I saw lights in the distance and was relieved that soon, I’d at least be able to escape the car.
“That’s what I thought,” Bradley said smugly.
The road widened to four lanes and streetlights lined the shoulders. We drove past a small residential area and into downtown Durango. I spotted the neon sign for Lawson’s Steakhouse a few blocks down the road.
“All right, Willow, remember the rules. If you play your role, this should be relatively painless.”
I sighed and resigned myself to the hell of the next few hours. I checked my makeup in the visor mirror as Bradley pulled into the restaurant’s parking lot.
“Don’t get out, I’ll come get you,” he instructed as he took a space near the front door. He parked, got out of the car, and circled around to open my door.
I doubt anyone is watching us. This is probably overkill. But at least he’s being too nice again, instead of a royal jackass.
Bradley opened my door and offered me his hand. I accepted it and stepped out of the car.
“Are you ready, sweetheart?” he asked with exaggerated sweetness.
“As I’ll ever be, honey doodle,” I replied. I gave him my best fake smile, took his arm, and we walked into the restaurant.
***
“So Willow, Bradley here tells us that you think your horse has a chance at the Crown. Tell me, how much equity do you still own in him?” Charles McMullen, the elder of the McMullen brothers, asked me. Charles looked to be in his late fifties or early sixties. He had pale skin, grey eyes, and ash blonde hair that was gray at the temples.
“Just five percent,” I said with a modest smile. “Mondo was born at my ranch. I couldn’t bear to part with him completely.”
“I hear that five percent equity is a standard clause when you sell a horse or a stud service,” Wyatt McMullen, the younger brother added. I only knew he was the younger brother because that’s how he introduced himself. His features were nearly identical to Charles’s.
I nodded. “I take pride in what I produce. A lot of time, effort, and thought go into putting together a perfect breeding pair. I think that’s worth five percent of whatever the foal turns in to.”
Bradley nudged me under the table and I realized he thought I’d spent too much time talking about myself. We’d been at the restaurant for twenty minutes, and this was the first time I’d spoken other than saying a brief, near silent hello.
“That shows good business sense,” Wyatt told me. “I wish my wife could find a hobby like that. It would kill two birds with one stone: she’d be out of my hair for a few hours a day and she’d be contributing a little money to the household.”
Hobby? Did he really just call my work a fucking hobby?
I took a long sip of my wine and steadied my rapidly fraying nerves. “Yes, it is nice to have something to occupy myself with while Bradley works all day,” I said, my voice sugary sweet. “He’s been working so hard since Mr. Miller decided to retire. I’m so proud of him.” I put my hand over Bradley’s and stared at him with adoration. He smiled back at me.
“Thank you, sweetheart. It’s so nice to know you appreciate everything I’ve been doing lately.”
Wyatt grabbed a stuffed mushroom from our appetizer tray and popped it into his mouth. “She’s a smart girl, Bradley. She knows the harder you work, the better off she’ll be.”
Great. I have to keep a dumb smile on my face and mind my manners like a lady while this guy talks with food in his mouth.
Charles nodded. “You definitely have a keeper here, kid. Not only is she a looker, but she also knows just how to bump up against the line without crossing it.”
I probably don’t
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