Page 128 of Fall Over You

“Let’s say she is involved in all the bad stuff. That the worst case scenario is true. What’s your move?”

I shake my head. “I can’t do it again. Things were really tough with Ellie’s mom. I have a lot of empathy for addiction, but it’s really tough to deal with. It’s hard to trust them even when they’re on their best behavior.”

Jake winces and bobs his head. “Sorry, man. That must have been awful. I know Becca was a party girl, but she’s pretty tame now, right?”

I lift a shoulder. “She could have slipped. She and CJ—Ellie’s mom—they were in it together.”

Jake twists his lips and chews on the corner. “You really need to talk to her, man. I know it’s scary.”

“What if she lies?” I ask.

“How will you know she’s lying?” Jake counters.

“I guess I won’t,” I mumble.

Jake sits back and turns his knees more my way. “I’ll put it this way. This is more of a personal thing, but I’d risk trusting her knowing maybe I’ll get disappointed. But she might surprise you. I’ve tried living to stop pain, but hard stuff is inevitable. Life’s going to hurt no matter what. But I’d rather live with an open heart and get it broken every once in a while than chance missing out on the good stuff.”

I hate how good he is at this, but part of me wonders if he’s going to side with Becca no matter what. That’s why I didn’t call Dusty. He’ll always be most faithful to family.

A hand claps on my shoulder from behind.

“Yep, I found him.”

I turn to find Dusty putting a phone in my face with “Becca” on the screen.

FORTY-EIGHT

BECCA

“Are you at a bar?”

Don’t get me wrong. I’m thrilled my husband is finally trying to have a social life.

I’m not thrilled that I didn’t get a call informing me that he’d be late.

I’m also not thrilled that I got a call from a business associate saying he can no longer work with me because my husband says so.

My husband, who just days ago was gushing that he loves me and wants to have babies with me.

“Uh, yeah. With Jake. And now Dusty.”

“No shit, you’re on his phone,” I hiss, checking the other room to make sure Ellie’s occupied. “You couldn’t call to tell me you’d be late? Ellie and I have been worried sick. You’re lucky my ex owes me infinite favors and told me where you are, and my brother tracked you down so I don’t pinch your head clean off.”

Tyler mutters something about a “fuckhead,” and I’d laugh if I weren’t ready to wring his neck.

“You get one chance to explain yourself. Why did I get a call from Carver Denton telling me that you said we can’t work together?”

Tyler sounds like he’s talking through his teeth. “I’m trying to protect you, Reba. That guy’s a good-for-nothing.”

“Carver Denton is a sweetie pie bleeding heart and you know that. His brothers . . .” I toss my head from side to side, trying to say it without incensing my husband further, “are not as great.”

“They tried to⁠—”

“I remember what they tried to do, Tyler.” I say it with enough finality that he’s quiet for a second, a 90s country song filling the silence in the background. “I’m still going to work with Carver. I run my own business, and you run yours. I trust you to do what you need to do. I need you to do the same for me.”

“We share that loan,” he tries.

Where is my Nicorette? I could grind through several pieces of that shit right about now.