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

can’t stop true love.” He brought Renee’s hand to his lips and she giggled with delight.
    Oh my God. If they do this the entire weekend, I’m not going to make it. How long is this flight?
    I shifted uncomfortably in my seat and glanced at James. His shoulders were still tense, and he stared at the dark television screen as if something fascinating was playing. It was clear that he was uncomfortable and out of his element on the private plane, and I wasn’t the only one who noticed.
    Bradley straightened in his seat and pompously put his shoulders back. “First time flying private?” he asked, staring at James.
    James moved his eyes across the cabin and stared at him for a moment. “First time flying period,” he replied.
    Bradley opened his eyes wide in amusement. “Really? And here I thought you’d been leading an exciting life, seeing the country.”
    James puffed out his chest and I wondered if it was in instinctive reaction, or if he was trying to be intimidating on purpose. Either way, it worked. Bradley swallowed and looked down at the floor, bracing himself for James’s reply.
    “I have seen a lot of the country,” James said, careful to keep his tone even for the sake of our parents. “But you can’t exactly fly from town to town when you’ve got a horse with you.”
    A cocky grin spread across Bradley’s face and I knew he’d realized James would be on his best behavior as long as Daddy and Renee were around. “I guess traveling with an animal does have its limitations. So this is your first time visiting Kentucky?”
    “No… this is my first time flying to Kentucky,” James replied, his patience wearing thin.
    “I grew up in Kentucky,” Renee chimed in. “We used to visit my parents at least once a year, until they passed. But we always drove. Flying was a little out of our budget,” she added with a blush of embarrassment.
    Bradley ignored her and kept his eyes fixed on James. “Have you been to the Derby then?” he asked, an air of doubt in his tone.
    “No,” James replied through his tightened jaw.
    Bradley lifted his nose in the air. “This is my sixth time. I’d be happy to help you choose an outfit, give you some pointers on racing etiquette.”
    James cleared his throat and I was relieved to see a confident smile spread across his face. “Thank you for the offer, Bradley. But I have never in my life worn an “outfit” and I don’t intend to start now. As for the etiquette pointers, I know how to behave.”
    Bradley scowled and it was clear to everyone that the two of them would exchange barbs until someone else took control of the conversation.
    “Why don’t we put in a movie?” Daddy suggested. He hit the call button on the arm of his chair and a flight attendant emerged from the cockpit. She was blonde and bubbly, and her name tag read “Kate”.
    “Can I help you, Mr. Rogers?” she asked with an eager smile.
    “Yes, I brought a copy of Secretariat,” he told her. “I thought it would get us all in the mood for race weekend. I’m afraid I don’t know how all the equipment works, would you mind getting it started for us?”
    “I’d be happy to,” she agreed. Renee pulled the DVD from her purse and passed it to Kate. The flight attendant opened a cabinet under the television, fed the disc into the player, and passed the remote to Daddy.
    “We’ve been cleared for takeoff,” Kate told us. “If you haven’t already buckled your seatbelts, please do so now. When we reach our desired altitude, I’ll come back and take everyone’s drink orders.”
    “Thank you, Kate,” Daddy said as she disappeared back into the cockpit.
    The jet taxied down the runway, and I settled in for the longest flight of my life.
     
    ***
     
    Early that evening, I was in my hotel room getting ready for the Derby Eve Ball when I was startled by a knock at the door. I threw a glance to the bedside alarm clock.
    Daddy and Renee aren’t supposed to be here for another twenty