Page 72 of The History Between Us

“Max, let’s go home,” Trish barks behind him, clearly worried about the same thing.

Just then, Shooter steps in between us. “Let’s all take a breather, alright?” he says coolly. “William and Colt make each other happy, why does it matter?”

Stepping back, I pinch the bridge of my nose. Between Colt’s big mouth and Shooter’s, this isn’t going to end well. I can see Max getting madder by the minute.

“Max, please,” I try to plead with him. “Let’s call it a night like Trish said, and talk about this in the morning.”

“How long has this been going on?” he asks, ignoring everything I said.

“It’s… complicated.”

“How is it complicated? When the fuck did it start?”

Oh, for fuck’s sake. “Technically, two years ago.”

His eyes widen. “Excuse me?”

“Oh dear,” I hear Trish murmur. Then she steps up, wrapping a hand around his forearm, tugging him back. “That’s enough, Max,” she says sternly. “It’s time to go. You’ve had too much to drink, and now isn’t the time to talk about this. We can talk about it when you’ve had a chance to cool off.”

“Trish, knock it off.”

“No, you knock it off!” I’m taken aback by her tone. Trish is many things, but feisty isn’t one of them. “You’re acting likea caveman right now, and it’s embarrassing. Get in the damn car with me before I make Conrad put you over his shoulder and carry you there.”

Shooter snorts. “Please do that.”

Colt snickers beside me.

“You know he will,” Trish threatens. “Now, let’s go, Max.”

Gaze dragging from Colt to me, I see the moment he decides to drop it. His shoulders relax, chest a little less puffed out. “Fine.”

They walk away, and I let out a breath I’d been holding.

Shooter laughs, turning around. “Well, that was fun.”

My eyes narrow as my pulse races. “You’re both idiots,” I blurt out.

“Hey, what did I do?” Colt asks with a chuckle.

“You don’t know when to keep your mouth shut, that’s what.”

“Oh, come on. My dad was being ridiculous. Hehityou!”

Leveling Colt with a look, I say, “He just walked over and caught his best friend and his son making out. What exactly did you expect him to do? His reaction was pretty normal, all things considered.”

“He’s drunk,” Colt counters. “And acting like a hothead.”

Blowing out a breath, I run a hand through my hair. “It’s late,” I say. “I’m going to head home. I want to make sure Winnie isn’t too freaked out from the fireworks.”

“I’ll go with you,” Colt offers, grabbing my hand.

“You don’t have to do that.” Although, I would love it. “You’re here with your friends.”

“Yeah, but the night’s nearly over. I want to go home with you.” Then Colt shifts, his face twisting up. “I mean, only if you want me to.”

Uncertainty looks adorable on him. “Of course, I do. I’mjust saying, you don’t have to if you aren’t ready to go.”

“I am,” he insists, and it warms my chest.

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