Page 98 of Mr. Charming

She rolls her eyes. “Always the ladies’ man. Remember in the fourth grade when you and Foster Davis got in that fight over Carly Jacobs?”

Theo nods. How does Donna remember these things?

The sound of kids screaming draws our attention away from Donna.

“Is there an assembly or something?” I ask.

She smiles. “You don’t know? I thought you were behind it.”

I stare at my little bag with maybe enough merch for Mason’s class. Please tell me that Mason didn’t overpromise.

Donna rounds the desk. “Let me get you passes, then you can head on down. Tammy is supposed to come back and replace me, so I’ll see you in there. So exciting, right?”

“Can’t wait.” Theo gives me a look I can’t quite decipher.

“I’m sorry, Donna, but who is in the gym?” I lean forward as though it’s a secret, when really, it seems as though maybe it’s just a secret from me.

Theo swings his arm around my shoulders. “Shh… Donna, let it be a surprise.”

Of course, Donna pretends to zip her lips and throw away the key. Seriously?

She hands us our passes, and Theo leads me down the hall. I think I would remember my way, and if I didn’t, the kids cheering and yelling would have drawn me in the right direction.

We pass an entire case filled with Decker and Foster Davis accolades. I guess that’s what happens when you play pro somewhere—your childhood school showcases you.

“Theo, what am I missing?”

“If I ruin this, I’m not gonna get out of this school without being beaten to a pulp, so humor me and just go to the gym.” Theo continues leading while I drag my feet because I’m pretty sure Mason told someone I was coming, and everyone is going to assume all the Falcons will be joining me.

We’re a few steps outside the gymnasium when Theo laughs, nudging me by the back to go first. I step into the elementary gym, so much more grown than the last time I was here, and I hear his voice before I see him.

My smile grows the farther I walk in until it probably takes up my entire face.

There in front of all the students are Tweetie, Rowan, Conor, and Henry. Mason is standing up there with them.

Theo pats me on the back and leans his shoulder against the wall, watching the tears well in my eyes.

“And the entire reason we’re here is because Mason has a really cool aunt who does our social media.” Tweetie taps Mason on the shoulder and points at me.

Mason sprints over, and I crouch, hugging him tightly. Tweetie’s smile is just as big as mine. I mouth thank you over Mason’s shoulder.

“You did it! Thank you, Aunt Tedi.” He squeezes his arms around my neck. “I gotta go.” Then he’s off and back with the guys in the middle of the gym.

Tweetie gets back on the microphone. “We’ll take some questions. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to get merch here, but we’ve ordered T-shirts for everyone that will be delivered next week.”

The kids cheer as Toby comes over and stands next to me. I must look like a blubbering fool. Why is this making me cry? I never would’ve asked Tweetie to do this, and here he is with his three best friends from the team, making my nephew king for the day.

“You just became the aunt of the century,” Toby says.

“I can’t believe he came.”

Toby and Theo both give me a look, and Toby says, “Yeah, you can.”

And he’s right. Because even with all the bad that’s happened with us, this is the Tweetie I fell in love with. The man who would do anything to make me happy.

Forty-Four

Tweetie

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