"Let her go."
Colby stood in the cave entrance, a fierce, determined look on his face. Clay's grip tightened.
"I said, let her go," Colby yelled, his feet planted with hands balled into fists.
"Please, Clay. Let me go," she said. The tenderness in her voice and eyes had Clay staring a moment too long. His grip lessened but then he shook his head and the angry façade took rein.
"No. We have unfinished business and Mr. High-and-Mighty is not getting his way."
In three steps, Colby stood beside Clay. He dropped his hand, allowing Megan to back away. She kept her attention on the brothers, animosity a common denominator. "Why do they hate each other?" she wondered. The look of disdain on Colby's face sent Megan slinking outside. Curiosity kept her by the cave entrance.
"Go back where you came from, Clay."
"Why? So you get all the glory again?"
"What are you talking about?" Colby said.
"Mr. All A's, Mr. I'm going to college, Mr. I got a super job after graduation. Give me a break, bro. I could never compete or keep up."
"If you had tried, put more effort into your studies instead of horses you would have more to show for yourself."
"I'm a great rider. I have won many events, but is anyone there to share in my victories? Does my family ever ask?" Clay said.
"What does Megan have to do with this?" Colby said.
"You aren't getting anything else, especially her."
"You like her, don't you?"
"It doesn't matter, because you took her from me."
"No, he didn't," Megan said, entering the cave.
"I told you to leave," Colby said.
"Not when the conversation involves me." She moved between the brothers, keeping Colby to her back. "Clay, you tried to bury my dreams, and you never listened to me. I can't be with someone who doesn't respect my goals and desires."
"And he does?" Clay said motioning to his brother. "Yes."
"Fine," Clay said. "You deserve each other." Clay bumped into Colby and left.
Silent minutes passed. "Will he be okay?" Megan finally asked, turning around to look at Colby.
"I don't know," he said.
"Shouldn't you go after him?"
"No."
Through gritted teeth, she said, "People who have no regard for their families." Their gazes locked, with angst and anger passing between them. "We've had this conversation before," she said. "Do you want to lose your brother, like you almost lost your grandparents?" She gave him no time to answer. "Stop carrying your pride like it's an honor." She exited the cave never awaiting a reply.