Page 66 of Fall Over You

“Great,” Ellie says as our drinks arrive. “Every day.”

“So, tonight Becca and I are going to start telling people we’re getting married, and that’s when Maggie will come over to be with you. Then Becca and I are going to wear special clothes tomorrow and go have somebody say she’s my wife,” I add.

The reality of it all is setting in. We’re telling my daughter that someone else is going to start watching after her. Becca and I are getting a loan together. I’m moving in with my best friend’s sister.

The only person who’s ever made me feel something so big that I spent every moment after chasing it.

That woman sits with my daughter talking about what kind of cake we’ll eat tomorrow night.

Because tomorrow night, I’ll be married.

TWENTY-SIX

BECCA

“Okay, god, everybody shut up!”

We’re on a five-way video call: Dustin and Ronnie, Ernest, Mom, Tyler’s dad, Mamaw. Mamaw’s telling Tyler’s dad some nonsense and we don’t have time for this. We need to leave for the bar to sell this thing.

“What are you two doing together?” Dusty asks.

I rub my lips together and look over at Tyler, whose face is tomato red.

“Tell ‘em, babe.”

Tyler is trying so hard not to smile, and it’s almost convincing.

“We have some news,” he says.

“No,” Tyler’s dad says, his jaw dropping.

Mamaw gasps.

Dustin is expressionless.

I hold up my left hand so they can all see my ring.

“Oh my lord,” from Mom.

“You are such a bad liar,” from Tyler’s dad.

“Aw, honey,” from Ernest.

“I want my money back,” from Mamaw.

“I told you,” from Ronnie to Dustin, and from Dustin, a very triumphant, “Shut up.”

“You two have been sneakin’!” Mom declares with a shout.

“Am I about to be a grandpa again?” Tyler’s dad asks.

“Not yet,” Tyler says with a laugh, and I lose my breath. What does that mean? I want to touch my stomach, the thought of Tyler’s baby being there making me go a little dizzy. Tyler grins at me and I’m ready to push him back on this bed. Is that something real he wants? Where’s the line at this point?

Dustin has a hand over his mouth and looks like he might cry. “Y’all, this is the best news.”

My stomach twists. What’s making my brother the happiest? That I’m settling down? That I’m settling down with his best friend? That I’m happy? That I’m finally taken care of? That Tyler is happy?

“We’re going out to celebrate at the Legion,” I manage. “If anyone wants to see us tonight, we’ll be there.”