Page 73 of A Taste of Whiskey
“Okay! Do you think Grandpa will take me to the park? Last time we fished in the pond, and we got to pet a big black dog named Rascal…”
Gus gabbed the whole way to his grandfather’s house and ran up to the front door just as Pep opened it. “Grandpa!” He launched himself into Pep’s arms, clutching one action figure in each hand.
Pep’s entire face lit up as Gus hugged him. “How’s my boy?”
“Good. Can we go fishing at the park and get pizza for lunch?” Gus asked as Ezra joined them on the stoop.
“I think we can do that.” Pep set Gus down.
“Can we go see your friend Debbie at the ice cream shop? She always gives me extra sprinkles.” Gus didn’t wait for an answer. He threw his arms around Ezra. “Bye, Dad!”
“Have fun, buddy. I love you.”
“Love you, too!” Gus ran into the house.
Ezra arched a brow at his father. “Debbie?”
Pep grumbled something about kids and their big mouths and reached for Gus’s backpack. “You let me know if you want me to keep him overnight.”
He wondered what that was about but didn’t want to push it. If his father was seeing someone special, then he was happy for him. He only hoped Pep wouldn’t shut him out of that part of his life, too. “Thanks. I really appreciate you taking him today.”
“My pleasure. Go do your thing, and don’t worry about Gus. He’s in good hands.”
“I know he is. Thanks for being here for me today. I’d love to take you out to lunch sometime to thank you, just the two of us.” He didn’t know why he couldn’t let it go, but he had a feeling he’d still be trying twenty years from now.
His father’s brows slanted. “Nobody’s got time for that.”
“I’ll make the time,” Ezra offered.
“How about we have dinner with Gus one night? That’ll be nice.”
“Sure, Pep. Thanks again.” He turned to leave, then glanced back. “Tell your friend I said thanks for giving my boy extra sprinkles.”
His fatheralmostsmiled and waved a hand dismissively. “Get outta here. We have fishing to do.”
EZRA CRUISED DOWN the secluded country road toward Clayton Field, the roar of the motorcycle competing with the anticipation of riding with Sasha and a rush of youthful, rebellious memories.
Sasha’s truck came into focus at the edge of the field. She was standing with her back against the driver’s door, her long jeans-clad legs crossed at the ankles. He parked beside her, took off his helmet, and climbed off his bike. “Hey, gorgeous.”
“Hi. Did Gus get off okay?”
He raked a hand through his hair. “Yeah. Tina couldn’t take him, so he’s with my dad.”
“I’d really like to give that woman a piece of my mind.” She pushed from the door, looking as fine as diamonds in a black T-shirt and matching leather boots. “Why didn’t you tell me? We could have gone riding on a different day so you could be with Gus.”
“Because I wanted to seeyou, and I wasn’t going to let her fuck it up.” That earned one of those slightly bashful smiles he loved.
“Thank you. That means a lot to me.” Her gaze swept over his black leather vest and T-shirt. “I was hoping you’d wear your vest.”
“Oh yeah? Why?”
“Because I’m secretly sleeping with a badass biker, but I only ever get to experience the other amazing parts of him.”
He drew her into his arms. “Then it’s fitting that we’re here, where it all started.”
“How does it feel to be back here?”
He looked around the overgrown field. “This is where I escaped to too many times to count. It was easy to bury my feelings about my family when I was with a bunch of teenagers whose deepest thought wasWhat kind of trouble can we get into tonight.”
