Page 88 of Fall Over You

“Well, come in. Supper will get cold,” my mom says, ushering us toward the house.

“It’s been so long since I’ve been here. I was probably just a kid,” Becca says, stepping inside and taking in her surroundings. “I love this living room color.”

My mom blusters, like she’s surprised Becca is so nice. “Oh. Thank you, dear.”

We sit at the table, and I help Ellie into her booster at the end of the table.

“Ellie did such a good job helping me pick out your flowers, Mrs. Davis.”

“Is that right?” Mom asks with a tight-lipped smile that I know doesn’t bode well.

“Ellie’s been Becca’s farm helper, haven’t you, shug?” I offer, trying to warm up this interaction.

“Well, I’m glad you’re so career-driven,” Mom says, “especially after all those wild years.”

I put my hand on Becca’s thigh under the table. “Mom, I was wild too.”

“Wild, rar,” Ellie growls from her seat. Becca and my dad chuckle, but I’m still facing off with Mom.

“I just don’t want this one to end the way the last one did,” Mom sniffs.

Dad’s fork clatters to his plate, and Becca freezes with a bite of mashed potatoes headed for her mouth. I watch the moment my wife decides to turn the tables. She lifts our joined hands from her leg and gently rests them on the table between us. Her thumb strokes over my knuckles and she swallows before speaking.

“It was hard for all of us when CJ left, and it’s still hard sometimes,” Becca starts. “But that door closing led to what Tyler and I have now.”

Mom sucks her upper teeth before speaking again. “And what is that?”

“Diane,” Dad warns.

Becca doesn’t flinch. “Trust. I’ve got his back and I know he’s got mine.” She squeezes my hand while looking into my eyes. “Loyalty. Respect. Understanding, and meeting each other where we are.”

My jaw tightens as I consider the things that have passed between us this week. Kisses. One hot night on the hood of my car. A wedding. Dancing. And moment after moment where I wanted more but held back so I didn’t do more than what I know my heart can handle.

Becca knows that, and that’s the power of understanding.

Apparently, that’s not enough for my mom.

“Love?” she challenges.

I’m about to snap at her, but Becca doesn’t falter. Her gaze remains on me as she answers. “Of course.”

“You know, Shannon and I were talking after church. You remember, Jim’s wife? Well, she told me that Jim said you two came in about a loan. Is that right?”

I struggle not to cough, but I know that would look obvious right now. “What are you saying?” I demand.

Mom pushes a singular green bean around her plate. “I just think it’s really interesting that none of us knew you were dating, and all of a sudden there’s this rush to get married. What do you need money for, anyway? You say she’s not pregnant, but with her history⁠—”

“She’s right here, Mom,” I say firmly. “Speak to my wife respectfully or we leave.”

Mom purses her lips and wipes around them with her napkin.

Mom and I might be getting heated, but Becca doesn’t miss a beat, laughing. “Wouldn’t that be crazy? If Tyler and I just got married to get a loan? Can you imagine?”

Mom’s face reddens, but after a moment, she laughs along with Becca. It’s not funny at all, but my wife is a genius. I laugh too, in shock that this is working.

Becca really is charming the shit out of my parents. That was perhaps the smoothest save I’ve ever seen when my mom was about to blow the lid off this whole thing.

“That would be crazy,” Dad agrees. “You two tease each other like an old married couple. You don’t have that kind of teasing for nothing.”