Page 88 of Fall at Once

My burn itched beneath my shirt and jacket. I wanted to take it off and put the ripped-up T-shirt I’d been wearing while I was healing back on.

“Fuck that. We look amazing.” He adjusted his bow tie.

“I can’t believe you two are going to be auctioned off,” Quinn, wearing a standard suit and tie, teased us from the couch. “Remember when I was in FFA back in high school, and I auctioned off that pig? Ahh, memories. You two are bringing it all back for me.”

“Shut the fuck up,” we said in unison.

Natalie came out of her room, wearing the dress Sherry had bought her last week when it was her turn with the kids. “I think you both look nice. You too, Uncle Quinn.”

“You look beautiful, Nat,” I told her. “Purple suits you.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

Tate took her hand and twirled her underneath his arm. “You’ll knock ’em dead tonight, kid. That little what’s-his-name you’ve been crushing on won’t know what hit him when you show up.”

She blushed furiously. “Uncle Tate!”

“What did I say?” He looked at her with confusion etched across his face. “Didn’t you go with some little turd to the Fall Ball?” His eyes shifted to me. “Didn’t she?”

“Quit while you’re ahead, man,” I told him. Decoding teenage girls was not for the faint of heart. “Ev! Get a move on. We’ll be late.”

He opened his door but stood there with a sour look. “Do I have to go? I look stupid.” He was wearing a suit and tie like Quinn.

“You look great,” Tate told him. “Totally sharp.”

“But Uncle Quinn said?—”

“You look awesome, dude,” Quinn clicked off the TV and reassured him. “I was just razzing my brothers. It’s kind of my job to give them shit.”

“I didn’t razz Natalie yet. Should I?”

“Hell, no,” Quinn answered. “You don’t razz sisters, especially if they’re older than you and stunningly beautiful like ourNatalie is. Sisters have a different set of rules.”

“That’s what I thought. You look real pretty, Nat,” he said.

My heart warmed. I loved it when my kids got along, especially when they were being sweet to each other. It made me feel like I was doing something right.

She burst out laughing. “Thanks, Ev. I can’t wait to see what Madi is wearing. She’s still going, right, Dad? Let’s get out of here. I don’t want to be late.”

I hoped she’d be there. I still hadn’t heard from her. My text from last night haunted me. I’d lost count of how many times I’d checked to see if she’d seen it. But it remained unread on my phone. I was worried that I’d completely blown it with her. I’d let my fears and insecurities get the best of me and regretted it. However, I did get confirmation that she’d received the flowers, which left me with a minuscule glimmer of hope.

Monica texted earlier to let me know everything was perfect. The decorations and food were good to go; all I had to do was show up.

Finally, we were all ready to go. We piled into my truck and Tate’s Suburban and drove to Veterans Hall downtown.

The parking lot was half-full when we arrived, but we were early, so I wasn’t worried. We fill this place every year, and I knew this one would not be the exception. Madi and I had worked hard to get the word out.

The McCreedy Ranch had donated pumpkins as they did every year. Since Halloween had passed, each had been hollowed out, and instead of spooky Jack-O-Lantern faces, leaves of variousshapes and sizes had been carved into them. Flameless candles glowed inside, lighting the path leading up to the entrance.

Natalie grabbed my hand. “It’s so pretty already, and we aren’t even inside yet. I love the garlands; they match the ones at the fire station.”

“Thanks, sweetheart. Madi is amazing. All of this was her idea.”

“It’s all pretty and stuff, but all I care about is the chocolate fountain she told me about,” Evan said. “I’m going to camp out there all night.”

“Chocolate fountain?” Quinn perked up. “You got yourself a partner, dude.” He held his hand out, and Evan smacked it.

I laughed as they hustled to the door, leaving us behind.

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