Read Online The Heart of Texas by R. J. Scott - Free Book Online
Authors: R. J. Scott
Tags: Romance
Ads: Link
remember what they did to Dad? Falsifying records, lying about land purchases, buying his way out and leaving Dad in the cold? Don't you remember some of the shit Gerald did to Mom?"
Riley had heard enough. He opened the door to see the two brothers in an angry face-off.
"As I answered your sister, Josh, I'm not my father," was all he said. He waited until Josh visibly relaxed. "Your brother and I… We're happy. We want to make this work. Do we have your support?"
Josh closed his eyes briefly, but not quick enough for Riley to miss the battle that warred in them. He finally opened them again and nodded, pulling his younger brother in for a hug. "Shit. I'm happy if you are, kid. If you're really happy?"
Riley watched the brothers embrace, and something inside him twisted. Jeff had never held him like that— supportive, protective, caring. The way brothers should be.
"I'm happy."
Chapter 11
The ride back to the city was quiet, each man on his side of the car, both lost in thought. Riley watched the outskirts of the city begin to build from his side of the car, a store here, a house there, a mall. It wasn't truly dark. It never was. The night sky was alive with the lights from the skyscrapers in the beating heart of Dallas. They were mirrored in the river, starkly, majestically beautiful, and Riley loved it. The magic of the city was, as always, running with the blood in his veins.
He made a decision. He would not tell his family today. Every time he thought of the Campbells and how they had welcomed him into the family, with questions, yes, but with acceptance, Riley's heart clenched. Jack was not going to be as lucky with his family, he knew that, and despite the whole point of the marriage, regardless of wanting to rub his dad's face in what Gerald didn't want for his middle child, he did not want to see them tonight.
They passed the outside edge of the city and, after fifteen minutes, were at the main Hayes house, home to Gerald and Sandra and their perfect kids. It was quiet and dark. He doubted Jeff was at home: he never was. He assumed Lisa was somewhere in there, probably under the influence, given it was already 9 pm, and the kids were with the nanny in the back wing. He knew his mom was out; it was Foundation night for one of her many charities. Riley wasn't sure why she did so much, unless it was for the kudos, but when it came to those good works, her energy was unflagging. He knew where his dad was; Gerald was inevitably away with his current affair du jour. He didn't hide it. Everyone knew. His mom knew, but as long as she had the name and the prestige and money that went with it, then she was clearly happy to let her husband do what he wanted.
The car stopped on the circular drive. The chauffeur opened the door and lifted out the two bags, offering a wide smile which Riley didn't return. He just nodded to dismiss him. He was unable to find the words, despite the fact that normally he would spend time to talk, to ask about the daughter who had just left for college. Tonight, well, tonight all he wanted was to move inside, into this mausoleum he called home, and shut his door on the world. He caught Jack's frown, saw him return the chauffeur's smile and gave the man a quiet, "Thanks." He could almost hear the thought, Jeez, Riley, you're a rude entitled asshole.
* * * *
Jack followed Riley in the side door. It led into a spacious boot room, immaculate and tidy and nothing like the boot room at the ranch. There were no jackets, no freaking boots, no dirt, nothing to show that anyone actually used the space. He said nothing, just followed in Riley's footsteps to a large hallway. Crystal chandeliers hung from high ceilings, and a marble staircase wound up from the entrance hall to the first landing. It was icy perfection, spotless.
No letters sat on the hall table, no Quarter Horse News magazines piled haphazardly, no newspapers. Jack sighed inwardly, missing the casual warmth of his own home compared
Riley had heard enough. He opened the door to see the two brothers in an angry face-off.
"As I answered your sister, Josh, I'm not my father," was all he said. He waited until Josh visibly relaxed. "Your brother and I… We're happy. We want to make this work. Do we have your support?"
Josh closed his eyes briefly, but not quick enough for Riley to miss the battle that warred in them. He finally opened them again and nodded, pulling his younger brother in for a hug. "Shit. I'm happy if you are, kid. If you're really happy?"
Riley watched the brothers embrace, and something inside him twisted. Jeff had never held him like that— supportive, protective, caring. The way brothers should be.
"I'm happy."
Chapter 11
The ride back to the city was quiet, each man on his side of the car, both lost in thought. Riley watched the outskirts of the city begin to build from his side of the car, a store here, a house there, a mall. It wasn't truly dark. It never was. The night sky was alive with the lights from the skyscrapers in the beating heart of Dallas. They were mirrored in the river, starkly, majestically beautiful, and Riley loved it. The magic of the city was, as always, running with the blood in his veins.
He made a decision. He would not tell his family today. Every time he thought of the Campbells and how they had welcomed him into the family, with questions, yes, but with acceptance, Riley's heart clenched. Jack was not going to be as lucky with his family, he knew that, and despite the whole point of the marriage, regardless of wanting to rub his dad's face in what Gerald didn't want for his middle child, he did not want to see them tonight.
They passed the outside edge of the city and, after fifteen minutes, were at the main Hayes house, home to Gerald and Sandra and their perfect kids. It was quiet and dark. He doubted Jeff was at home: he never was. He assumed Lisa was somewhere in there, probably under the influence, given it was already 9 pm, and the kids were with the nanny in the back wing. He knew his mom was out; it was Foundation night for one of her many charities. Riley wasn't sure why she did so much, unless it was for the kudos, but when it came to those good works, her energy was unflagging. He knew where his dad was; Gerald was inevitably away with his current affair du jour. He didn't hide it. Everyone knew. His mom knew, but as long as she had the name and the prestige and money that went with it, then she was clearly happy to let her husband do what he wanted.
The car stopped on the circular drive. The chauffeur opened the door and lifted out the two bags, offering a wide smile which Riley didn't return. He just nodded to dismiss him. He was unable to find the words, despite the fact that normally he would spend time to talk, to ask about the daughter who had just left for college. Tonight, well, tonight all he wanted was to move inside, into this mausoleum he called home, and shut his door on the world. He caught Jack's frown, saw him return the chauffeur's smile and gave the man a quiet, "Thanks." He could almost hear the thought, Jeez, Riley, you're a rude entitled asshole.
* * * *
Jack followed Riley in the side door. It led into a spacious boot room, immaculate and tidy and nothing like the boot room at the ranch. There were no jackets, no freaking boots, no dirt, nothing to show that anyone actually used the space. He said nothing, just followed in Riley's footsteps to a large hallway. Crystal chandeliers hung from high ceilings, and a marble staircase wound up from the entrance hall to the first landing. It was icy perfection, spotless.
No letters sat on the hall table, no Quarter Horse News magazines piled haphazardly, no newspapers. Jack sighed inwardly, missing the casual warmth of his own home compared
Similar Books
