Page 80 of Love, Lies, and Whiskey

“Really?” Lucas’s eyes shimmered with joy. “I gotta park!”

Lucas’s excitement was contagious as Rebel showed off the Mustang. When Rebel let him sit in it, he raved about how cool the car was, and asked Doc to take a picture. He listened intently to every word Rebel said when they looked under the hood, and asked questions about the engine like a real gearhead.

“How’d you get into doing this?” Lucas asked.

“My family owns a restoration business in Salvation Falls, which is in Upstate New York. I grew up doing it from before I could see over the hood of a car.”

“So why are you here?” Lucas asked.

“I went through a messy divorce and needed to get away. Couldn’t think of a better place to get out of my own head than with my cousins.” Rebel clapped a hand on Doc’s shoulder.

“We’re glad you did,” Doc said.

“Are you a biker, too?” Lucas asked.

“Hell yeah,” Rebel said. “It’s in my blood, just like Doc and the rest of the guys. My old man and his buddy founded the Salvation Falls chapter.”

Rebel took them behind the building, showing Lucas more classic cars he was working on. Lucas was like a kid in a candy store, taking pictures of each one, rattling off questions and car facts. Doc knew he was getting a glimpse at the kid he’d been before having his life turned upside down. He hoped one day soon Lucas could get back to being that kid.

When they got back on the road, Lucas talked up a storm about the cars he’d seen and how cool it was that Rebel got to work on them.

“Dare’s into restoring old cars, too. He’s got a bunch of them in his garage.”

“On the ranch?”

“Yeah. We can drive by if you’d like.” That had been his plan all along. “We don’t have to go in, but that way you’ll know where I live in case you ever need anything.”

“Okay.”

Doc gave him directions.

“Layla said she’s been to the ranch a bunch of times for events. She said it’s cool.”

“It is cool. We’ve known her family forever. They’ve got a big family, like ours. Layla’s grandfather Hal Braden is one of my old man’s closest friends. I was glad you offered to ride home with her last night. It’s always best to think of your girl’s safety before anything else.”

“She’s the coolest girl in school and definitely the prettiest. If I want to set the standard, I’ve got to aim high, right?”

Knowing Lucas had listened to his advice filled Doc with pride. “That’s right. Between us guys, were you two really just hanging out when we showed up, or were you making out?”

“We were hanging out.” His lips tipped up in the corner. “But I kissed her when I took her home.”

Doc laughed. “I figured you might. Were you nervous?”

“No.”

“You’re braver than I was. I remember being nervous at your age.”

“Really?” Lucas didn’t take his eyes off the road. “I was nervous. I really like her.”

“I know you do, and she obviously likes you. Kissing is okay, but y’all are young. I know it doesn’t feel that way, and you probably want to do a whole lot more. But nothing good comes from rushing things. Part of setting a standard is waiting until you’re both ready for more, which hopefully won’t be for a few years.”

“I’m just glad I got to kiss her. I’m in no hurry to do more.”

For the love of God, please let him hold on to that feeling for a few more years.

“Good. I know you probably want to brag to your friends, but—”

“No, I don’t,” Lucas said urgently. “She’s too special. I don’t want to embarrass her. She’s the only person I really talk to about anything important. We trust each other. I don’t want to mess that up.”