Page 68 of A Montana Rodeo Star

Faith shook her head again. “You’re going to hate me.”

“I could never hate you.”

That wasn’t true. He’d definitely hate her if he knew.

Brent pulled back and tilted her chin so he could look into her eyes. “Whatever it is, we’ll work through it together. Promise.”

She searched his eyes, but she didn’t find any comfort in them. All because she knew she was going to break his heart one way or the other.

“I think you should quit.”

He grew incredibly still. But it was more than that. There was a new kind of coldness that wrapped around them despite the summer air. She could feel her own blood chilling at the way his eyes deadened. This wasn’t what he’d been expecting. Or maybe he had, but he’d been in denial.

Brent took a stiff step backward and gripped the back of his neck, looking away as he inhaled a deep breath. “Faith…”

“I know you don’t want to hear it but listen to me.” Faith wrung her hands together. She had to do this. For him. For his family. For their entire ranch. “It’s not safe.”

He cut her a look so sharp it could have cut her. She flinched anyway.

“I’ve been doing a lot of research⁠—”

Brent released a disappointed laugh. “Of course you have. That’s what you’re good at.”

She didn’t want to be hurt by the statement but there was something in the tone of his voice that added to the pain of this moment. “Yes, I am.” There was no use denying it. “And the statistics⁠—”

“Oh, don’t even go there. You had no problem with me working toward this goal a few months ago. You were supportive. What changed, Faith? Did Hallie get to you? This is about her, isn’t it?”

She winced again. “No, it’s not.”

“Liar.”

Faith glowered at him. “Careful. I don’t like being called names.” It was an instinctual response and one that would most likely bite her in the end, but she didn’t want this argument to turn into something it wasn’t. “I’m just saying that what you’re doing is dangerous and while I understand that it’s important to you, so is your life. I would hate for you to get hurt beyond repair. Do you know how many cowboys lose their lives annually? Or how many are unable to walk again? Do you think you could survive being in a wheelchair if you landed just right in the dirt?”

His eyes narrowed. He didn’t know the stats, which was her only saving grace. The fact of the matter was that driving in a car was more dangerous statistically speaking due to the amount of drivers on the road. Jobs like being a roofer or a truck driver also had higher instances of death compared to bronc riding. She was lying through her teeth because while his competing did worry her, it wouldn’t worry her more than any other job he might have.

For a brief moment she thought Brent would consider her feelings on the matter. That he’d see her concern and make the sacrifice.

But then his expression hardened, and he shook his head. “You know I can’t do that.”

“But—”

“No buts, Faith! You know I can’t just stop after all the work I’ve put into this. It’s my dream. It’s the only thing that matters to me.”

Pain lanced through her at his words.

The only thing that mattered to him.

What about his family?

What about her?

He must have realized what he’d said, because guilt flickered in his eyes. He opened his mouth then snapped it shut. And that was when she knew she couldn’t stick around. Her heart was a bleeding mess, and she needed to put some space between them before she did something she truly regretted.

“I’ll see you later, Brent. Congrats on the competition.” She spun around and headed for the parking lot.

“Faith, wait—” he called out but she refused to stop. It didn’t matter that there was remorse in his voice. It didn’t matter that he was almost pleading with her.

She needed to figure out her next steps before either one of them ended up completely broken.