Page 72 of A Taste of Whiskey
“Someone might see us.”
“So what? Everyone knows we’re friends. They’re not going to care.”
“Everyone also knows what it means to ride on the back of a biker’s motorcycle,” she pointed out. “We’ve never been the kind of friends who took motorcycle rides together, and I haven’t exactly been secretive about my crush on you the last couple of years. What if someone puts two and two together like Bobbie did?” She’d told him about both of those incidents, and they’d both agreed to be more careful. She decided to keep Birdie’s eagle eyes to herself, so as not to freak him out.
His jaw tightened, and he rose up on his elbow. “Then we’ll meet out of town. We can meet at Clayton Field and leave your truck there.”
The field where we first met.Her throat thickened with emotions.
“We’ll stay off the main roads, drive into the mountains or to another town. I don’t care where we go or what we do. I just want to spend time with you without worrying about whether I want to hold your hand, kiss you, or look at you and touch you like you’re mine.”
She tried not to let herself get carried away with his words, but excitement bubbled up inside her, and she sat up. “That sounds incredible. Are you sure?”
“Surer than I’ve ever been. I’m dropping off Gus with Tina at ten. What time will you finish with the horses?”
“I can be done by then and meet you around eleven? I’ll bring my helmet.”
“Perfect.” He kissed her again, grinning like he’d won the lottery. “We’re going to have a great day.”
“I can’t wait, but how am I supposed to get any sleep when I’m this excited?”
“I don’t know, but you need to sleep, Bo Peep. I don’t want you falling off my bike.”
“You’d never let that happen.”
SATURDAY BROUGHT CLEAR, sunny skies and the promise of a perfect day. Gus was in a great mood as he scrambled into his booster seat with two tiny action figures. Ezra tossed his backpack onto the floor and leaned in to help him with his seat belt.
“I can do it,” Gus insisted, struggling to pull the seat belt far enough.
Ezra gave him a little help, and Gus latched it in place. “Great job, buddy.”
As he closed Gus’s door, his phone rang. He cursed when he saw Tina’s name on the screen and put the phone to his ear. “Yeah?”
“Hi, it’s me. Sorry to call so late, but I can’t take Gus today. I have to drive to—”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” He stalked away from the car. “How can you do this to him again?”
“I can’t help it if I need to get my car fixed.”
He closed his eyes, trying to rein in his anger. “You couldn’t have gotten it fixed any other day this week?”
“They just called and said they could fit me in today. I need my car. It’s not like I can go without one. I’ll take him on Tuesday without fail. I promise.”
He’d believe it when he saw it. He ended the call, pissed off for Gusandfor himself. He’d dedicated his entire life to Gus and to his career. All he wanted was a few hours to be a normal guy and spend time with the woman he adored. He didn’t want to let Sasha down, either, even though he knew she’d understand if he did.
He looked at Gus, happily playing with his action figures. On any other day, Ezra wouldn’t think twice about putting off his plans to be with his son, but not today. He knew damn well if he did, he’d be a bear to deal with, and that wasn’t fair to Gus. Today he was going to give himself what he hadn’t in too many years to count. A few hours to do ashepleased.
He didn’t like pawning Gus off on anyone, but as he called his father, he knew he, and Gus, would love to spend some one-on-one time together.
“Good morning, Ezra.”
“Hi, Pep. Sorry to bother you, but Tina can’t take Gus today, and I’ve got plans. Think you can take him for a few hours?”
“You bet. Bring him over. We’ll have a great time. You need me to keep him overnight?”
Yeswas on the tip of his tongue, but he wasn’t quite that selfish. “No. A few hours will be great. Thanks.”
After he ended the call, he climbed in behind the wheel and turned to Gus. “Hey, buddy. Your mom had some car trouble, so it looks like you’ll be spending the day with Grandpa.”
