Page 33 of The History Between Us

“Fuck, I forgot about that.” I huff out a laugh at the memory. “What was that man’s real name? I know it wasn’t River.”

Whit thinks for a moment. “Albert, if I’m not mistaken.”

I don’t know why that makes me laugh as hard as it does. “Why the fuck did we call him old man River, then?”

“Beats me,” Whit huffs. “The song, maybe?”

“He had no business selling moonshine to teenagers, though.” I chuckle.

“You guys got so drunk in the middle of the day when you should’ve been working, and Conrad had to cover for you guys.”

“I never understood why he covered for us in the first place,” I say. “That shit wasstrong.”

“Cope nearly drowned in the creek, and you puked all over the side of the barn when you guys got back.”

I shake my head, laughing. “The one and only time I ever drank moonshine. And, of fucking course, Shooter found the entire thing hilarious. It was his life’s mission to get me as drunk as possible whenever he could.”

“And Conrad covered for you jackasses because he knew his dad was fed up with you guys and would fire you if he found out,” Whit admits. “And then all that extra work would fall on mine and Conrad’s shoulders.”

“Mr. Strauss would not have fired us,” I argue. “He loved me.”

Whit snorts. “Yeah, that’s what you think.”

“Ahh, the good old days.” I can’t help but smile as I remember everything that went on here. “You know, my first kiss happened here.”

Whit eyes me from beneath his dark-framed glasses. “With whom?”

“Jill Donovan.” I laugh as I watch Whit’s expression shift from confused to surprised.

“Conrad’s cousin from Michigan?” he asks incredulously.

“Yup.” I finish off the rest of my beer. “She was fun.”

“Why am I not surprised to find this out?” Whit groans as I stand up and stretch my arms over my head.

“Because I’m too sexy for anybody to ignore.” Waggling my brows, I stand up and ask him and Reggie, “Want another?”

“Yeah, I will,” Whit says.

“Not me,” Reggie murmurs, holding his hands up. “I’ve got to leave for work in a couple hours.”

“Suit yourself.”

Over at the coolers, I spot William getting himself a beverage. The guilt because of my dad is still there, but I can’t help but smirk to myself as I step up beside him. His relation to my father aside, he’s still fun as hell to mess with. “Fancy running into you here,” I drawl, turning my head to the side and meeting his gaze.

“Hello, Colt.” So formal.

Grabbing two cans out, one for me and one for Whit, I ask, “Having fun, Doc?”

“I am.” He nods. “And you?”

“You know it.” A grin spreads across my face, and I don’t miss the way his eyes dip down for a moment. “Although, I’d have more fun if you stopped talking to me like I’m a patient at your clinic.”

William’s brows furrow, the sight quite adorable. “I’m not talking to you any differently than I talk to anybody else.”

Scanning the area and making sure nobody is watching,I lean in, like I just can’t help myself, and whisper in his ear, “That’s the problem.” He stands up straighter as I pull back and meet his gaze. Offering a mock solute, I leave him there, and stroll back over to where I left Whit and Reggie.

We all decide to play corn hole with a couple of Whit’s friends from his office after we’ve tossed back a few more beers. I’m feeling pretty good by the time we all gather around and sing Happy Birthday to my dad. The cake is huge, and I gladly take a piece, enjoying every last bite. Every so often, I’ll feel William’s gaze on me; sometimes I’ll meet and hold it as if I’m challenging him to look away first, but other times, I pretend I don’t notice. Part of me likes to think it drives him nuts.

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