Read Online Love All Out - Part 3 (A Stepbrother Romance) by Alice Ward - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Alice Ward
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want to know what he’s talking about.
I knew I should let his comment pass without clarification, but curiosity got the better of me.
“You’re both very kind,” I told the brothers. “But which line exactly are you talking about?” I was careful to keep my tone amused instead of defensive.
“The man woman gender role line, of course,” Charles explained. “You want to be a part of the racing world, but you know your place. You breed the horses and then sell them to men who are capable of turning them into champions. I think your independent streak is just the right size, Willow.”
I took another long drink of my wine, still determined to keep my cool.
I can do this. It’s just one night, and then I’ll never have to see these pigs again. I wonder what their wives are like. Surely they can’t be happy. I hope they don’t have daughters.
I wanted to tell them that I planned on proving myself more than capable of turning my horses into champions. I wanted to tell them that my mother had done the same and that they could kiss my ass. But I realized that Bradley was right. These men didn’t give a damn about anything I had to say. Taking a stand wouldn’t accomplish anything, so kept a smile on my face and pretended to be gracious.
“What a lovely compliment. Like I said, the horses give me something to do while Bradley is running the farm. I keep telling him he should slow down and enjoy life a little, but he’s determined to make his father proud.” I laid the praise on thick and was amazed that the McMullen brothers bought every word. They looked at Bradley with a blend of surprise and admiration.
Charles even smiled at him a little. “It’s good to hear that you’re so motivated. I have to admit, we were a bit hesitant to negotiate with you instead of Dale. But it sounds like you’re really taking your work seriously. Let’s get down to business and talk numbers.”
The men launched into a long conversation and I realized that Bradley was trying to negotiate a better distribution deal for his farm’s soybean crop. The talk was mind numbingly boring, and I soon zoned out. I let myself fantasize about the upcoming horserace and what it could do for my career.
A short, hardy waitress with curly grey hair and a kind smile finally delivered our meals to the table. Charles took a large bite of his ribeye and let out a happy, satisfied groan.
“Great restaurant choice, Bradley,” he said, cutting the rest of his steak into pieces. “This is the best beef I’ve had in a long time.”
I opened my mouth and Bradley kicked me under the table. Clearly, he felt I’d already dominated enough of the conversation. I took a long drink of my water and ate my meal in silence while the men continued their negotiations. After what seemed like hours, the table was cleared, the contracts were signed, and the McMullen brothers rose to their feet.
“It was nice to meet you, Willow,” Wyatt said. He and his brother took turns shaking Bradley’s hand and promised to talk to him soon.
“Good luck this weekend,” Charles added. He took the check from the table and Bradley didn’t protest.
“Thank you,” I said as I stood. Neither of the brothers tried to shake my hand, which didn’t surprise me in the slightest.
“Hold on a sec,” Bradley said as I moved for the door. “I need to go to the men’s room before we head home.”
I glanced down and saw his cell phone on the table. I slid back into the booth. “Okay, I’ll just wait here for you.”
Bradley disappeared and I glanced around the dining room. Charles paid the check and the brothers stepped out the front door. No one was paying any attention to me, so I grabbed Bradley’s phone. I swiped the screen and a small box popped up, asking for the four-digit unlock code.
Shit, of course the screen is locked... I’ll try his birthday.
I typed in 0218 and, sure enough, the phone unlocked. I went to Bradley’s photo gallery, deleted the
I knew I should let his comment pass without clarification, but curiosity got the better of me.
“You’re both very kind,” I told the brothers. “But which line exactly are you talking about?” I was careful to keep my tone amused instead of defensive.
“The man woman gender role line, of course,” Charles explained. “You want to be a part of the racing world, but you know your place. You breed the horses and then sell them to men who are capable of turning them into champions. I think your independent streak is just the right size, Willow.”
I took another long drink of my wine, still determined to keep my cool.
I can do this. It’s just one night, and then I’ll never have to see these pigs again. I wonder what their wives are like. Surely they can’t be happy. I hope they don’t have daughters.
I wanted to tell them that I planned on proving myself more than capable of turning my horses into champions. I wanted to tell them that my mother had done the same and that they could kiss my ass. But I realized that Bradley was right. These men didn’t give a damn about anything I had to say. Taking a stand wouldn’t accomplish anything, so kept a smile on my face and pretended to be gracious.
“What a lovely compliment. Like I said, the horses give me something to do while Bradley is running the farm. I keep telling him he should slow down and enjoy life a little, but he’s determined to make his father proud.” I laid the praise on thick and was amazed that the McMullen brothers bought every word. They looked at Bradley with a blend of surprise and admiration.
Charles even smiled at him a little. “It’s good to hear that you’re so motivated. I have to admit, we were a bit hesitant to negotiate with you instead of Dale. But it sounds like you’re really taking your work seriously. Let’s get down to business and talk numbers.”
The men launched into a long conversation and I realized that Bradley was trying to negotiate a better distribution deal for his farm’s soybean crop. The talk was mind numbingly boring, and I soon zoned out. I let myself fantasize about the upcoming horserace and what it could do for my career.
A short, hardy waitress with curly grey hair and a kind smile finally delivered our meals to the table. Charles took a large bite of his ribeye and let out a happy, satisfied groan.
“Great restaurant choice, Bradley,” he said, cutting the rest of his steak into pieces. “This is the best beef I’ve had in a long time.”
I opened my mouth and Bradley kicked me under the table. Clearly, he felt I’d already dominated enough of the conversation. I took a long drink of my water and ate my meal in silence while the men continued their negotiations. After what seemed like hours, the table was cleared, the contracts were signed, and the McMullen brothers rose to their feet.
“It was nice to meet you, Willow,” Wyatt said. He and his brother took turns shaking Bradley’s hand and promised to talk to him soon.
“Good luck this weekend,” Charles added. He took the check from the table and Bradley didn’t protest.
“Thank you,” I said as I stood. Neither of the brothers tried to shake my hand, which didn’t surprise me in the slightest.
“Hold on a sec,” Bradley said as I moved for the door. “I need to go to the men’s room before we head home.”
I glanced down and saw his cell phone on the table. I slid back into the booth. “Okay, I’ll just wait here for you.”
Bradley disappeared and I glanced around the dining room. Charles paid the check and the brothers stepped out the front door. No one was paying any attention to me, so I grabbed Bradley’s phone. I swiped the screen and a small box popped up, asking for the four-digit unlock code.
Shit, of course the screen is locked... I’ll try his birthday.
I typed in 0218 and, sure enough, the phone unlocked. I went to Bradley’s photo gallery, deleted the
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