Page 28 of Broncos and Ballads (Healing Springs Ranch #2)

Did she still love Reed?

Of course she did, didn’t she? But he was happy with Lexi and was getting married to her.

“You love him.” Brock’s statement was laced with hurt, and his dark-brown eyes took on a shadow.

“You knew about my feelings for him from the start.” It was the only thing she could think to say.

“But I thought after we spent time together and after getting to know me, you might like me now.”

“I do like you.”

“But you don’t like me enough to give us a chance, to see what we could have?”

Wasn’t that what her mom did? Her mom always said she needed to give the new man a chance to find out where things could lead. And where had the relationships led? To hurt, disappointment, and breakup. Because her mom’s heart still belonged to someone else. She’d never stopped loving Marco.

Venus pressed a hand to her own heart, which in some ways still belonged to Reed. If she pursued a relationship with Brock, she’d probably end up just like her mom, playing the comparison game and unable to commit.

Reed had accused her of already being like her mom, of being unable to commit. But he was wrong. There was a big difference in that her mom jumped into every relationship that came her way, while Venus was doing her best to avoid shallow and passing relationships.

The question was—was Brock shallow and passing?

He didn’t feel that way. But he also wasn’t Reed, the only man in her life who hadn’t left her, who’d been there for her through every hardship, who’d listened and cared and supported her.

As if her thoughts were written on her face, Brock’s shoulders slumped. She wanted to hug him and tell him everything would be okay. But now that he’d confessed his love, nothing could ever be the same between them.

They wouldn’t be able to pretend any longer and simply have fun, because in the back of her mind, she would know that Brock loved her and wanted more from her than just having a good time. And she couldn’t give him more than just a good time right now. Maybe not ever.

“I’m sorry, Brock.” Her whisper fell like a boulder dropping into a pond, rippling out so that a cold wave crashed over her. She hugged her arms to her chest. Already she felt the distance widening between them—a distance they wouldn’t be able to bridge.

“I’m sorry too,” he whispered, shoving his hands deep in his pockets.

She hated that she was hurting him, but she hadn’t expected him to fall in love with her, should have warned him not to, that she wasn’t ready, that she couldn’t reciprocate, that they could only be friends.

But it was too late for that. All she could do now was try not to cause him any more pain, and the best way to do that was to keep her distance from him.

Without waiting for him to say more, she turned on her heel and started back to the house.

As she entered, she hoped she could avoid everyone.

But she had no such luck. An eager Wyatt was home from school and talked to her nonstop.

Anson had freshly baked cookies waiting.

Leah was bright-eyed and working on a wedding task for Kinsey.

And T.W. was awake and full of questions about the day.

She talked to everyone like she normally did, then while they were all distracted by Brock’s photo shoot with his guitar on the deck, she quickly packed her suitcase and carry-on bag, slipped outside, and drove away, hoping no one would see her leaving.

She half expected Brock to come chasing after her, maybe on one of the horses like in the movies when the hero rushed after the heroine and declared his love for her. But as she wound through Healing Springs Ranch, no one appeared in her rearview mirror.

She was well on her way up the passes en route to Colorado Springs before the first calls started coming in from Brock, then T.W., and even Leah. Venus didn’t answer any of them, didn’t want them to try to convince her to return.

It was best if she and Brock each went their separate ways. He could spend the rest of the week in Aruba, and she’d head back to New York and let Kristin know she could start work again a few days early.

Yes, she would be breaching the contract she’d signed with Brock’s people regarding the terms of the fake relationship.

But in the long run, no one would really care if she and Brock spent time together.

They’d already proven to the world they were a couple and had made enough appearances.

Besides, the Rolling Stone article would come out soon and promote them as a couple too.

When she was seated in first class on her flight to New York City, she responded to just one person—Reed. They’d been texting more since their lunch last week, and she’d told him all about the upcoming vacation with Brock and about the Rolling Stone interview.

Reed: How was the photo shoot?

Venus: Fun. Lots of great pics.

Reed:

Venus: I left the vacay early.

Reed: Why? Everything ok?

She blinked back a sudden swell of tears.

Everything had been fun and going well until Brock had gotten serious.

Why had he told her he loved her? From the gravity in his expression, she guessed it hadn’t been easy to bring up his feelings.

And she’d been callous back. But what else should she have done?

Reed: ???

Venus: I’m ok.

Reed: You sure?

No, she wasn’t okay. More tears stung the backs of her eyes.

She’d really liked Brock, had loved his family, had been enjoying their time together, and had actually been looking forward to a few days in Aruba with him.

She’d anticipated more fun and adventures along with good conversations and good food on beautiful beaches with him by her side.

But she couldn’t spend the vacation with him now.

Not after what he’d said. Maybe not even after the kiss.

Because if she was completely honest, the kiss had shifted something between them too.

It had been filled with too much longing and need and emotions to be casual.

In hindsight, none of the kisses with Brock had been casual, but this one had been particularly poignant and had contained a deeper meaning, probably his love.

Reed: Talk to me.

Venus: Brock told me he loved me.

Reed: Wow. Didn’t think he was capable.

Venus: I don’t know what to do.

Reed: Do you love him back?

Venus: Not yet.

But did she love Brock back? Even as the airplane prepared to pull away from the gate, she pressed her hand to her chest to ease the ache that was growing inside. She could admit she cared for him, that there were a lot of qualities about him she really liked.

And he treated her so well, was always respectful and considerate and sweet.

She’d never been around a guy who was so attentive the way Brock was, like everything she said, did, and thought was important. The only word she could use to describe his attitude was cherish . Yes, he cherished her.

Had any man ever cherished her? Certainly not Marco, who’d never been in her and Mom’s lives. Certainly not all the other men Mom had been with. Certainly not any of the men Venus had dated who’d only cared about her body.

Had Reed cherished her?

Reed: It’s ok not to love him back.

Venus: But he’s a great guy.

Reed: Knowing Brock he’ll move on.

She wasn’t ready for Brock to move on. In fact, the very thought of him going out with any other woman made her dizzy, and she closed her eyes again. She might not love him—at least, not yet—but she also wasn’t ready to let go of him.

That wasn’t fair to him. But maybe after her rejection and then leaving without a goodbye, he’d decide he’d dodged a bullet and was better off without her.

Was it finally time to come clean with Reed about the true nature of her relationship with Brock? She wanted to, didn’t want to hide it and then have him find out later and be hurt.

She hesitated only a moment longer, then she started typing.

Venus: We weren’t really dating.

Reed: Huh?

Venus: Our managers made the arrangements.

Reed: So it wasn’t a real relationship?

Venus: Right.

Reed: Then why did he tell you he loved you?

Venus: Because he said it became real for him.

Reed: Real for ten seconds since he doesn’t know what real love is.

Was Reed right? Brock had a reputation of moving on from women, never being able to commit. That was why she’d agreed to fake date him in the first place, because of Ainsley Rose’s accusations that he didn’t want to get serious.

Maybe Brock thought he loved her now. But in a few days or a few weeks, he’d just break up with her and find someone new. Because Reed was right. That was Brock’s pattern.

The announcement to turn off devices came over the airplane’s speakers.

Venus: Gotta go.

Reed: Ok. Love you.

Venus: Love you too.

Why was it so easy to tell Reed she loved him? They’d been exchanging the words for years, and it had worked out fine for them.

Except that deep inside, she knew Brock’s declaration was different.

It went beyond friendship. It even went beyond a typical dating relationship.

She’d felt something in the way he’d kissed her, the way he’d held her, even the way he’d looked at her.

She hadn’t wanted to acknowledge it at the time, had tried to ignore it, but his feelings for her had been genuine and alive and powerful.

Maybe that’s why she’d been so scared. Because she didn’t know what to do in response…except to run away. She’d hoped that confessing everything to Reed would help bring a sense of balance back to her life and ground her.

Why, then, did she feel as though she’d been knocked from her feet and was floating aimlessly?