Love All Out - Part 2 (A Stepbrother Romance) by Alice Ward

into each other’s arms.
    Daddy’s reaction was painful to watch. His face flushed red and beads of sweat formed at his temples. I reached out and touched his arm.
    “Daddy… are you okay?” I asked softly. “I’m sure this is no big deal. They probably just ran into each other and wanted to catch up a bit.”
    “Willow’s right, Cole,” James agreed. “They’re just dancing… I’m sure it doesn’t mean anything.”
    Daddy swallowed hard and cleared his throat. “I’m sure you’re right, kids,” he said, his voice unconvincing. “If you’ll both excuse me, I’m not feeling well. James, will you please let your mother know that I’ve gone back to the hotel?”
    “Of course, Cole, if that’s what you want,” James replied.
    “I’ll go with you, Daddy,” I offered quickly.
    He patted my hand and shook his head. “You don’t have to do that, sweetheart. This is your big night. Stay a little longer, soak up all of this admiration you’re getting.”
    I raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure? I’d feel better if you stayed too. Why don’t you just go talk to Renee?”
    James gave me a swift nudge with his elbow. I glanced up at him and he shook his head ever so slightly. Daddy didn’t notice any of it.
    “Honey, Renee shouldn’t have to cut her evening short just because I’m tired,” Daddy told me with a defeated sigh. “Just let her know where I am… once she pulls herself away from whoever that is. I’ll see you both tomorrow.”
    I’d never felt so conflicted. I wanted to argue with him, to tell him to go fight for her. But I also knew that if he and Renee broke up, James and I would be free to be together. Daddy turned away quickly, without giving me a chance to speak. I watched him slink out of the tent, his shoulders down and his head lowered. I turned to James with anger in my eyes.
    “I told you this was a bad idea,” I hissed.
    He took a long sip of champagne and stared off at his mother. “The end will justify the means, Willow. I promise.”

CHAPTER 5
    The next day was a blur of nerves and excitement. The race was scheduled for 6:24 p.m., but we arrived at noon for the Derby Luncheon. Daddy and Renee weren’t speaking, Bradley had a permanent sulk on his face, and the Millers were too busy making sure the right people saw them to notice anyone else’s mood. James seemed amused by the whole situation, and I was too excited for anything to bring me down.
    I’d been to the Derby twice before, but only as a spectator. The other times, we’d stood in the infield and fought for glimpses of the track. I’d worn simple sundresses and flat shoes and stared enviously at the well dressed women on Millionaire’s Row, the viewing boxes reserved for VIPs. Now it was my turn to sit in one of the boxes.
    Daddy presented our passes to the man in the security booth, and he let us pass through the gate. I was happy I’d packed flip flops in my purse for the long trek from the parking lot to the stadium.
    Bradley and his parents walked in the lead. Jan was dressed in a flowing white sundress with red silk roses blooming from the skirt. A wide rimmed red straw hat adorned her head and she’d attached red roses to the toes of her white heels. Anywhere else, she’d have looked ridiculous. At the Kentucky Derby, she fit in perfectly.
    Renee had also gone all out on her Derby dress. Hers was coral satin, with a sleeveless peplum top and a pencil skirt that hit her just below the knee. Her blonde hair was twisted into an intricate bun, with a jewel and feather fascinator pinned to the top.
    Daddy, Dale, and Bradley were dressed in typical, boring men’s attire. All three wore khaki slacks and starched white button-ups. Bradley wore a navy blazer while Daddy and Dale had both opted for seersucker.
    James and I stood out among the rest of the group. He was dressed in a grey linen suit that looked like it had been custom made to hug every muscle in his body. Under the jacket, he wore a pale blue