Page 37 of The History Between Us

Snorting, he replies, “I’d hardly call you old, Doc.”

“You’re nearly half my age.”

“How could I forget? You love reminding me.” In my periphery, I spot him turning his head and glancing at me. I don’t look. “But I don’t give a shit about that,” he chirps. “There is nothingoldabout you in my eyes. Distinguished, mature? Sure. But not old.”

That oddly makes my chest swell, and I have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling. “Regardless,” I murmur, clearing my throat. “You don’t have to humor my father. He won’t be offended if you tell him no.”

“I don’t want to.”

Finally, I allow myself to peer over at him. He’s already watching me with curious eyes and a boyish grin. I don’t know what to say back to that, so I just… don’t.

Walking for about a mile, we come up to an open field. It’s one Winnie very much enjoys running laps around every night. There’s a bench off to the side, and after I unhook her leash, I take a seat on one side, while Colt occupies the other.

“How’s your shoulder?” I ask him as we both watch Winnie run out her newfound zoomies.

“It’s better.” Elbows propped on his knees, his hands are clasped in front of him. “Hoping to be able to start training soon.”

“Did your physical therapist indicate as much?”

Colt huffs out a breath. “No. I’m aware it’s naïve, but I’m still holding out hope that I’ll be the exception, you know?” He glances over at me, and the intensity in his gaze is enough to punch the air out of my lungs. “The sooner I can get back to training, the better chance I’ll have at competing next season.”

“You can’t rush it, Colt.”

“I know that,” he scoffs, looking back into the field. “It’s hard, really fucking hard, to not be able to do the one thing you enjoy the most. This isn’t just my career, Doc. It’s my passion. It’s what I’m made to do, and as ridiculous as it is, I can’t help but be furious that I can’t do it.”

“It’s not ridiculous.” I’m hit with the urge to reach out and rub a hand over Colt’s back. Comfort him. But I don’t do that. “I can understand the way you’re feeling,” I say softly. “But you couldn’t have prevented this. It’s a risk I know you’re aware of every single time you climb on the back of one of them beasts. It could’ve happened to anybody.”

His fierce gaze flits to mine. “Yeah, but it didn’t happen to anybody. It happened tome, and I’m allowed to be pissed about it.”

“Of course, you are. Nobody is saying otherwise.”

Sitting back, he blows out a frustrated breath, kicking his legs wide. The new position has our thighs brushing ever-so slightly. I should move my leg, but I don’t.

I don’t want to.

“I… struggle with things that are outside of my control.”

Chuckling, I mutter, “You don’t say?”

Colt jabs me with his elbow, a smirk gracing his lips, andsomething inside of me settles seeing him smile again.

“You saw how much my dad’s injury fucked with him,” he says. “I don’t want to end up like he did.”

“You won’t,” I reply before I can stop myself. “Nobody can predict the future, but your injury is vastly different from what your dad went through. It makes sense that you’re comparing the two, but from an outsider perspective, they are not the same.”

He nods, glancing at me. “Yeah, logically, I know you’re right. Just wish it was easier to convince the irrational side of my brain.”

“You’ll get there, give yourself some grace. The accident really wasn’t all that long ago.”

Winnie runs around for another fifteen minutes while the conversation between Colt and I keeps going. It’s easy and comfortable, there’s no flirting or inappropriate comments. The simmering tension that seems to always be present with us is there, but still, it’s not a big deal. Colt heads home as soon as we get back to my place, and by the time I’m back inside, my dad already appears to be in his room for the night. Bounding up the steps, I wash my face and brush my teeth, slipping into a pair of pajamas, before retiring to my room too. I’d like to say I don’t spend the rest of the night replaying my evening, but I do. And not only that, but the kiss is on a loop in my mind as well.

As I fall asleep, I can’t help but wonder if it’s possible to make it through all of this unscathed.

18

Colt Bishop

It’s Friday night, and the free clinic is in the morning, which means I probably shouldn’t be out at the bar, but I am. My friends are finally home from the circuit, and we’re celebrating everyone being back home again. It’s something we do every year.

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