Page 75 of The History Between Us

“It’s not what you think,” William says.

“Yeah? Then tell what it is then, because I’m having a real fucking hard time wrapping my head around how you could do something like this, Will. You’ve been my friend since we were kids. You held my son when he was born, goddamnit! What the hell am I supposed to think, huh?”

Sitting forward, William rests his elbows on his knees, gaze pointed directly at my dad. “I understand you’re mad,” he goes on. “You have every right to be. We should’ve told you sooner, and that’s on us. And I get this is unconventional and probably even a little uncomfortable for you—both of you.” He glances toward my mom for a moment before looking back at my dad. “But I think I speak for both of us when I say that we didn’t mean for this to happen. I don’t think either of us expected us to wind up here, for this to have gone as far as it has. But it did, and Max, I’m in love with your son, and I won’t apologize about that.”

My heart stutters, my body freezing. Time stands still as I take in what William just admitted. There was zero hesitation in his tone. I can’t wrap my head around it, my mind spinning. He…lovesme.

“Wait,” I cut him off from whatever he was saying. All eyes flit to me, but it’s the deep ocean eyes beside me that I’m looking at. “You do?”

His gaze softens as the smallest of smiles lifts his lips. “I thought it was obvious,” he murmurs with a light laugh, his cheeks turning pink.

“You never said anything.”

I’m overly aware of the fact that both of my parents are watching us right now, but I can’t find it in me to pay either of them any mind. Not when it feels like I’m floating.

William loves me.

Taking my hand, eyes never leaving mine, William says, “I love you, Colt. I’ve fallen so unexpectantly hard for you, and I can’t imagine my life without you. You’re stubborn, sometimes a little too cocky for your own good.” We both laugh, the backs of my eyes stinging. “You drive me crazy most days, but I can’t imagine living without your type of crazy.”

“I…” Swallowing around the lump in my throat, I squeeze his hand. “I love you too, Doc.”

William leans in, pressing his lips to mine, seemingly unbothered by our audience. The kiss doesn’t last long before my father clears his throat. “Alright, that’s enough.”

“Max!” my mom scolds, emotion thick in her voice. Glancing over at her, her eyes are red rimmed, and her cheeks are wet.

“No, Trish,” he growls. “I’m not going to sit here and pretend like I’m okay with this. This has been going on for God knows how long under our noses. Why did nobody think to tell me? Don’t you think, as your friend, I deserved to know?”

“Maybe because it wasn’t about you, Dad,” I bark. William sighs beside me, and I know I should probably shut my mouth but, fuck, I can’t. “Yes, of course, we wanted you to know, but we wanted the time and privacy to figure out what exactly this was before telling people. And have you ever considered that maybe we were nervous to tell you because we knew you’d act exactly like you are now? Not everything is about you. Neither of us started this with the intent of hurting you or making you mad. Like William said, we didn’t expect any of this, butit happened. I love you, Dad, and I understand where you’re coming from, I really do, but I’m an adult. I’m more than capable of thinking for myself, and I know this is weird for you, and for that, I am sorry, but I can’t help how I feel no more than you can help how you feel about mom.”

My dad’s nostrils flare with harsh breaths, but he says nothing. So, I continue.

“I’m not going to get into details, but William and I ran into each other one night two years ago when I was visiting Seattle. It was unplanned, but there was an instant connection. I didn’t think anything would come of it, and it didn’t for two years, but when he moved back to Copper Lake, it became abundantly clear the connection from that night was still there. None of this was done to hurt you.”

“You’re his doctor,” my father grits out, gaze shifting to William. “Never mind the fact that you’ve known Colt his entire life, you’re his physician.”

“No, I’m not,” William replies. “I transferred him to Doug after that first visit after his accident.”

A heavy silence falls upon us, and when I glance over at my mom again, her eyes are still red, but she smiles at me.

Finally, after a few tense moments, my dad sits forward, heaving a sigh. “I don’t know what to do here, but I need some time. This is… a lot. I can’t do this right now. I’m sorry.”

Standing up, he leaves the room, taking the stairs two at a time without another word. Nobody speaks for a moment. If I had to guess, I’d say we’re all kind of at a loss for words. On the one hand, it could’ve gone worse. At least he didn’t punch William. But on the other hand, it would’ve been nice to work through this today.

“Give him time, you two,” my mom says, her kind eyeslooking into mine and then William’s. “He’ll come around.”

That’s exactly what Roger said, but will he?

“Thanks, Trish,” William says, voice strong yet quiet.

Feeling defeated, I stand up. “I guess we’ll get out of here.”

“Honey, you don’t have to go.”

“I know, but it’s probably for the best. I’ll call you?” I don’t know why I phrase it like a question, but she nods anyway.

With that, William and I leave my parents’ house, and all I can do is keep repeating the same two sentences over and over.

It could’ve been worse. He’ll come around.

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