Page 75 of A Montana Rodeo Star

This was a big deal.

What kind of mother would lie to her children about their father for their entire life?

Brent still burned from the revelation. When he’d heard his father’s name, he’d known right off the bat that Faith had been aware. He’d remembered that name from the articles she’d been reading. And the look of guilt on her face when she’d said she was doing research? He should have known then and there to make her talk.

After he’d gotten a summary of the story, he’d left. No, he hadn’t gone straight to Faith. He’d wanted to calm down before he confronted her. But he should have known that no amount of time would have been enough to make him feel better about all the secrets.

There was a thread of light he clung to when he spoke to her. This wasn’t Faith’s doing. She hadn’t kept the secret for his entire life. She’d only recently found out. And yet he couldn’t bring himself to forgive her for keeping it from him.

The only person in this world he could trust was his brother. And right now, he couldn’t be found. If Brent had to guess, Tripp had gone straight to Wendy to tell her the news. At least he had someone he could lean on.

Brent used to have that.

He shut his eyes tight and pressed the heels of his hands to them until he saw stars. The pain he felt was better than allowing himself to cry over this. Brent refused to cry. This was not worth crying over.

Anger.

That was what pushed him.

Too many betrayals.

Faith.

His parents.

Heck, even Hallie was part of this.

“Brent?”

He snapped to attention. No one had seen him climb up to the loft in the large barn on the property. He’d brought up a pillow and sleeping bag because he’d refused to sleep under the same roof as his parents.

“Brent, I know you’re up there.”

He rolled his eyes, knowing exactly who was below. “Speak of the devil,” he muttered under his breath.

“If you don’t come down, I’m coming up.”

“I don’t want to talk to you, Hallie.”

“It’s funny that you think I care.”

She was the catalyst for all of this. If she hadn’t roped his girlfriend into this secret, then he would still have Faith he could lean on. If she had just come to him and told him when she’d found out, then he could have confronted his parents.

Her head popped up over the edge of the loft and she climbed onto the landing. Her expression was unreadable as she took in the few things he’d brought with him. Then they shifted to him and she folded her arms. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“You want to tell me what you think it is I’m doing that deserves that attitude?” he snapped back.

She arched a brow. “From what I hear, you’re still going to compete.”

“Let me guess. Faith called you.”

Confusion flooded her eyes, but it was immediately replaced with derision. “No, your mother called my mother.”

He dragged a hand down his face. “Of course she did.”

“You want to know what I think?” she asked.

“No, but you’re probably going to say it anyway.”