Page 47 of Talk About… History

“Of course, we were. You’re family and we love you, and that includes Sidney,” she said, giving a shrug.

Maybe it was her reassurance, but it felt like I just needed someone to tell me to stop beating myself up, that I don’t have to hold onto that guilt anymore.

I took a deep breath and let it out, letting the stress dissolve with it. The last thing I needed was extra to worry about.

“Tell me how you met my dads?” I asked. It wasn’t a story she had shared before but my own crazy meetup had me too curious to resist. “If you don’t mind talking about it.”

She rolled her eyes. “You know, your mama is not as delicate as you guys think.”

“No, but you can’t blame us for worrying,” I said.

She chose to ignore that, giving me the side eye before a nostalgic smile drifted over her face, her eyes faraway.

“They quite literally swept me off of my feet. I grew up in Rockwood Valley, but they didn’t. This farm was in their family and they were here for a summer. One summer was all it took.”

I’d seen the pictures from their first year. It was a fast romance, getting bonded and pregnant within a year. She was gorgeous and they were smitten, their omega at the center of every single photo and all eyes on her.

“We ran into each other during a lakeside campfire. Someone was always planning one and it always snowballed into a big event. Everyone brought out drinks and snacks and it went into the night.”

“I’m kind of sad they stopped those. Maybe if we didn’t stay open every night of the week we could host one,” I joked.

She sighed. “I’ve been telling them to hire a bartender for years.”

“Someday,” I mused. “Now finish this fairytale story.”

She laughed softly. “Some guy was being rude to me. I don’t even remember what his name was or why, but the way he spoke to me got your dads all riled up. They ran over to intervene on my behalf. I scented them first, they were all too busy to notice. When I put a hand on Gideon’s chest to stop him, it was like the whole world melted away. The rest was history.”

“But did they jump into the lake with you?” I teased, both of us laughing at the idea. “I can’t believe he did that.”

“Well, it worked,” she said, not even the least bit sorry for me. In fact, she was holding back laughter.

“Ugh, I’m going in,” I laughed, pausing as I reached the door. “I promise to go car shopping this week so you can have yours back.”

She nodded, still giggling to herself as she picked up her book.

I couldn’t stop thinking about Cohen the entire time I was getting ready for the bar. My job wasn’t really bartender, though I would jump in and help when I could, especially with how busy we’ve been, so hopefully I could sneak away.

When it was time to leave, I took a second to pull my phone out and check in with Cohen. I had to get to him before he heard about the rest.

Avery: Hey, I was wondering if I could swing by after I got a bit of work done at the bar tonight?

Cohen: That’s fine with me. I don’t go to bed until around eleven usually.

Avery: Perfect, send me your address and I’ll message a heads up when I’m done.

Everything with Cohen was just… easy. He was laid back and sensible, I didn’t feel like I had to tiptoe around his feelings constantly or worry that if I said the wrong thing our night would be ruined.

I didn’t know enough about the others to guess their personalities. Mason seemed fairly up front, like he’d tell me like it is while considering my own feelings. Ford seemed sweet and funny, confident in himself.

And the doctor?

That was a whole mindfuck I never saw coming. The fact he didn’t react at the clinic was impressive, and that control was reassuring… but I’d seen control before. Would he want things his way and no other? Did he have the same hidden tendencies my exes used on me?

Fuck, trust was hard.

By the time I reached the bar I’d talked myself in circles enough times to drive the most sane person crazy.

It must have been written on my face because Nash narrowed his eyes the moment I walked in.

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