AllFreeNovel
Share Us
That was bullshit, I’d seen him eye-hump someone at the bar, but I still shot a curious look up at Will. He cleared his throat, muttering just loud enough for me to hear.
“I haven’t slept with anyone since the housewarming party, though he’s wrong about the whole ‘looking’ thing. That’s just a habit now.”
I shrugged, ignoring the brilliant happiness settling in my chest that he hadn’t slept with anyone since then.
“There’s nothing wrong with looking at a beautiful woman, as long as you aren’t painfully obvious about it and you don’t touch.”
I wasn’t one of those people who insisted their partner only ever looked at them. That was crazy and probably unhealthy to an insane degree. It was natural to appreciate beauty and as long as he didn’t try to act on it, then I didn’t care.
He dipped his head. “I would never, not now that we’re serious. I’m a lot of things, but a cheater isn’t one of them. I may look at women, but there hasn’t been any kind of urge to do anything.” He snorted, “That’s weird, let me tell you. Going from my old lifestyle to nearly no interest in anyone but you. It’s good, but still odd.”
I could understand that.
Devin hummed, pulling my focus back to him and the call still going on.
“He’s serious, Ma and-. Wait, no.” He heaved a sigh. “Hi, Dad.”
And now the real battle started. William tensed behind me and I could all but hear his stomach rolling.
I stroked his arm as the conversation continued.
“As I told Mom, Will isn’t the sort to do that. I actually encouraged him to start something with Bea, and I wholeheartedly think they’ll do well together. They’re planning on inviting you two out at some point to do the formal stuff. ”
Another few beats of silence and Devin snorted. “Dad, if he hurts her you and I will both geld him. That’s not even getting into what Alice will do or Beatrice herself. You didn’t raise a shrinking violet.”
Some of the tension around his mouth eased and he nodded, handing the phone back to me. Dad’s voice came through the second it was against my ear.
“Does he make you happy?” He asked and I smiled, looking up at Will. He still looked nervous enough to throw up, and I nodded.
“He does.”
I put as much certainty into my tone as I could and Dad sighed.
“I’ve never told you what you do or don’t want, and I’m not about to start now. Just…be careful, okay? He’s been a flirt as long as I’ve known him and I don’t want you getting hurt.”
A pause, then he added. “He’s there, isn’t he?”
I agreed, not sure where this was going.
“Put me on speakerphone.” Dad said and after a beat of uncertainty, I did.
“Alright, everyone can hear you.”
Will tensed, eyeing the phone as one would a snake as Dad’s voice came from it.
“You listen and you listen good, William. I’ve known you since you were knee-high and toddling around with Devin. You’re a good kid, we’ve always known that, and that’s the only reason I’m not driving over there now to neuter you. Devin says you’re serious, and my boy has never been a liar.”
I watched Will’s throat bob on a swallow as Dad continued.
“But if you hurt my baby girl by going back to those old ways of yours, I’m handling it.”
I didn’t get a chance to step in before Will took a deep breath and nodded.
“Understood, sir. I wouldn’t do that though, not to her. I may have fooled around a lot in my past, but I never lied to any of the women. They all knew what we were doing and that it wasn’t anything lasting. What I have with Beatrice is though, and I’ll be making sure word is spread that I’m thoroughly off the market.”
Silence dragged for a few minutes, and I could practically see Will sweating bullets. Then, finally, Dad spoke.
“Good, keep to that, and we’ll get along just fine. Sweetheart, Devin mentioned you were inviting us out somewhere?”
