Page 53 of A Montana Rodeo Star

Brent shoved aside the twinge of pain that came from her question. “Yes.”

Faith went still with his answer. Her eyes searched his and then she gave a subtle nod of her head. “Yeah, I trust you.”

His eyes dipped to her mouth and he ran his thumb over her lower lip. She sucked in a sharp breath, but she was no longer fighting him. “I’m always going to do the right thing when it comes to you. If that means telling your brothers that I intend to date you, then I will. I’m not going to hide my feelings for you.”

The surprise that flooded her expression did things to him. He couldn’t tell if she was still upset by his talking to her brothers. Or if she could see what he was trying to do for her. The conversation he’d had with her brothers wasn’t just for their benefit. It was for hers.

“I’m always going to do the right thing, Faith.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

This couldn’t be real.

There was no way.

She was dreaming.

Right?

Those thoughts continued to circulate through her head over and over without stopping during the next several days. Faith couldn’t remember a time when she felt happier. Brent wanted to be with her. Really be with her. Out in the open and everything.

It was like a dream.

Better than a dream.

Because this was real.

For the first time that Faith could remember, she felt wanted. She felt noticed. She felt… special.

That was a feat in itself being a middle child. Maybe she was romanticizing this a little too much, but she didn’t care. Right now, she fully intended on enjoying every second.

Her smile spread wide when she saw Brent emerge from the locker rooms and she wasted no time in throwing herself into his arms. “You did so good! I can’t believe it!” Faith pressed a firm kiss to his lips. Whether it was the excitement of the moment or just the pure happiness she felt in his presence, she didn’t know. All she knew was that she wanted to be close to him. To share in this joy.

Brent pulled back, smiling. His hair was damp with sweat, and he’d changed out of the gear he’d worn for the competition. But that look of excitement in his eyes made his whole face light up. He palmed the side of her face. “I didn’t think you’d make it.”

That spark she’d felt between them was no less surprising. Each time he looked at her with that adoration, the world seemed to stop spinning. Time remained suspended between them and she forgot how to breathe.

The whisper that escaped her lips was only meant for him. “I’ll always be there for you, Brent. I’m so proud of you.”

He blinked and something shifted in his eyes but then the loud sound of her brother’s voices echoed through the hall and they both turned to see Tate and Jason heading for them. They didn’t even bat an eye at the intimate way she was standing with their friend. They crowded around him, jumping, shoving, and congratulating him.

“Second place! Dude, that’s unheard of. You’re the talk of the rodeo community right now. A rising star. There’s no way you’re not getting more attention from potential sponsors.” Tate gave Brent another shove. “Don’t forget us when you make it big.”

A knot formed in Faith’s stomach.

Make it big.

Right. In the moment just before her brothers had shown up, she’d completely forgotten that these competitions weren’t just for him to make a name for himself. It was his way of stepping up the ladder. He was doing it faster than anyone could have anticipated. And she wouldn’t be surprised if he was a household name by the end of the year.

At that point, he’d definitely have to talk to his parents about everything he’d been doing. His relationship with his family would suffer. And what about his relationship with her? Would he ask her to go on the road with him, or would he cut ties with her?

Stupid.

She shouldn’t be thinking about that right now. It wasn’t healthy. They were just starting to get closer, and it wasn’t fair to expect anything from him while they felt out their budding relationship. Too soon. She wasn’t going to be that clingy girlfriend.

He’d said it himself.

Brent promised he’d always do the right thing when it came to her.