Page 40 of Forever to Fall
For nearly half an hour, Mallory let it all loose. Her and Beckett’s past as friends, her ebbing and flowing feelings toward the man, his hesitations to tell Evan the truth, and her fear that she was about to risk it all for a man who wasn’t going to follow through on his promises. Letting out all her frustrations felt cathartic and freeing, like taking off your bra after a long day at work.
“Good Lord,” Alice gasped when Mallory finally came up for air. “Um, that’s a lot.”
Mallory drained the last of her glass and waved it in the air. “Yep, I’m aware. Is there any more liquid courage in this house?” She was officially the worst houseguest, showing up uninvited and then drinking a nice, and likely expensive, bottle of wine.
“I’ll get your liquid courage,” Alice countered, “but first I need you to drink this.” She handed a water to Mallory before sliding the Oreos closer. “And I’m sure mixing wine with cookies is only making the situation worse, but go whole hog.”
“You’re the best.”
Alice winked. “It’s what besties do.” For a moment, the pair sat in silence while Mallory chugged her water and Alice surveyed her friend. “I’m going to ask you a question, and I don’t want to hurt your feelings.”
Mallory held up her hands, curling them toward her in invitation. “Give me your worst.”
Tucking a lock of hair behind her ear, Alice blinked a few times. “I’m just wondering, why haven’t you mentioned Beckett before? We’ve been friends for over a year, and he’s never come up once.”
“Yeah, I’m going to need that wine now.” Mallory deadpanned, grabbing a pillow and covering her face.
“You get a two-minute reprieve while I find more wine, but I’m serious. I want answers.”
“That’s fair.” Mallory’s reply was muffled under her pillow mask.
When Alice returned, she handed Mallory a fresh glass of wine and said, “I think you mentioned something when I came to the hospital last year. About your heart being broken? I’m guessing that was Beckett.”
“It’s always been him, Alice. Every guy I date is always compared to Beckett. What his smile is like, is he kind to animals. Does he have glasses that never seem to stay on straight?” Mallory tossed the pillow across the living room, a sad thud the only reply. “I probably shouldn’t have done that. I feel like everything in this house is worth more than my monthly rent payment.”
Alice scoffed. “I got that at Frick and Frack with you over the holidays. How drunk are you?”
Mallory smiled briefly, remembering their frequent trips to the local consignment shop. “Oh, yeah. I guess it looks different when it’s in James Gibson’s house.”
“Here we go again. You knew he was a pseudo celebrity when we started dating.”
Mallory held up her finger to stop her friend. “Fake dating, I remember how that all went down.”
“People in glass houses,” Alice warned, but her smile betrayed her words. “I’m pretty sure keeping a secret like Beckett Fox from me is pretty comparable.”
“You’re right, and I’m an asshole.” Mallory took a long pull from her glass, savoring the sweet punch of the wine. “And thank you for offering your guest room. I’m already half in the bag.”
Alice muttered under her breath, “I’m pretty sure you’re at the bottom of the bag, honey.”
“Blah, I hate men.”
“I know, most of them suck. But my question for you is, do you think Beckett is one of the baddies?”
Mallory wracked her brain for the answer to that very astute question. “I don’t think he is, or at least that he doesn’t mean to be.”
“You mentioned something about his family,” Alice offered, refilling both their glasses. “Do you think it really is as simple as he doesn’t want to risk losing you and Evan if things go south?”
“Evan will always side with Beckett. They’ve been best friends forever.”
Alice chortled. “Yeah, I don’t think your brother will turn his back on his favorite sister. You can spout whatever nonsense you want, but he’s protective of you, Mal. As a sister with a protective brother, I promise Evan will always be on Team Mallory.”
Mallory groaned and groped around for another pillow to hide under. “I don’t know,” she mumbled into the soft fabric.
Tapping her shoulder, Alice said, “I wouldn’t be so sure. I think youdoknow, and that’s why you’re here freaking out.”
“Damn you, Alice Snyder. Stop making sense.”
“Pfft, come on. You know I’m usually the drama queen. Let me have my moment.”
