Page 137 of The Guy Who Stole My Ranch

Anyone at this fancy party could walk up to me and tell me I was chubby, ugly, too common, and not worthy of William’s affection and it would be less humiliating than slow dancing with a guy who had been paid to be with me. Or playing kickball with my brothers after I’d found out that none of them actually wanted me on their team.

“Brooke?” Todd asked.

I inhaled and realized I was on the brink of tears. I had to get off this call before I either broke down or started yelling. “Todd, I know you, Danny, and Rick never wanted me to hang around with you as kids. I know the three of you would trade off chores so I wouldn’t take up a spot on your team for kickball so you could win. I also know that Mom made you take me with you.”

Todd didn’t answer.

That morning, when we’d all been kids, would forever be burned into my mind. I still remembered the feel of the concrete wall on my back as I leaned against it and the smell of the dusty field, as I fought back tears. I remembered the exact words of the two girls who had been complaining that I was on their team again because Danny had wanted to win, and he’d traded chores with Todd so Todd would take me.

That had been the first time I’d realized that no one believed in me; they just tolerated me. Even my mom had been in on that one, bribing my brothers to take me to play with them.

Todd remained silent.

“Do me a real favor, big brother, and stop doing me favors.”

“Brooke, I—”

I hung up before I had to listen to him anymore.

I was shaking, but I didn’t know if it was because of the cold or because Todd had once again taken it upon himself to try to run my life.

Chapter 36

-William-

I was still reeling from Todd’s revelation when Matthew slapped me on the back. The man must have thought we were old college friends, because the strike almost caused me to stumble forward. However, since Brooke had been trying to work me into the ground for the past week, I was able to stay put.

“I still need a minute of your time,” Matthew said.

“You’ve already wasted enough of my time today.”

“Sorry about earlier.” He shrugged as if it didn’t matter. “I got caught up in something.”

The urge to glare almost overpowered my serene expression. “I have one minute.” My tone left no doubt that I was only going to give him sixty seconds. He may have the upper hand in this battle, but Harris Inc. still held the upper role in the business world.

Plus, I needed to talk to Brooke.

“Great.” He used his hand, which had remained on my back after he’d slapped me, to guide me toward a secluded table.

I sighed. If that was our destination then I’d be forced to stay in his company for a drink, which would take at least fifteen minutes. I’d spotted my mom headed for Brooke and refused to leave her unattended for much longer. I stopped and Matthew kept going, but only for a few steps. It probably looked comical to see him try to keep me moving when I didn’t want to go.

Matthew narrowed his eyes. “What’s this?”

“I have a guest I’d like to get back to.” I decided I may as well make it seem like I was giving Matthew a choice. “Can we have our discussion here?”

The muscles in Matthew’s cheeks jumped as he ground his teeth. He rarely didn’t have the advantage in a situation, and I could tell it was making him irritable. Exactly where I wanted him. If he was going to make demands, he may as well be slightly irrational when he did so. People tended to be stupid when they got emotional.

After a moment, Matthew huffed and moved to face me. “Fine.” He put his hands on his hips. Which reminded me of Brooke. Not because they looked anything alike, but because she did the same thing when she got frustrated. “Ms. Smith is considering your father’s pitiful excuse of an apology.”

I raised my eyebrows a fraction of an inch and waited.

“I’m inclined to take you up on your offer to finish the buyout.”

This wasn’t new, and he wouldn’t have dragged me over here if this was all he’d had to say, so I once again waited.

Matthew reached up and patted his hair as if making sure none of the clumsy transplants had fallen out. “Unfortunately, I can’t guarantee that Katrina won’t press charges.”

There was the first piece of this new puzzle. “Oh?” I asked.

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