Page 59 of Forever to Fall
“Why not?” The humor was gone from CeCe’s tone. Instead, she looked concerned. “You’re actually afraid to tell him, aren’t you?”
Mallory shook her head. “I’m not, but Beckett is.” She let out a lungful of air, happy to deflate and share this burden with someone else. “He’s afraid Evan will end their friendship if he found out. Like some bro code or something.”
“Evan loves that man like a brother.” CeCe was incredulous. “You really think he’d react so poorly?”
Throwing her hands in the air, Mallory sighed. “I don’t know. Beckett is convinced it’ll end their friendship, which will then end our relationship. Honestly, I don’t know how he’ll react, but I get Beckett’s reasoning. Or at least I’m trying to. He lost his grandparents in the last couple of years, and they were his last remaining family.”
CeCe frowned. “What about his parents?”
Mallory scoffed, hating that she had to share the hurtful truth of Beckett’s past without his permission, but needing CeCe to understand the full story. “They got divorced when Beckett was eight. They left Ohio, and him, without a backward glance.”
Letting out a gasp, CeCe covered her mouth. “That’s horrible. Poor Beckett.”
“So, you see the issue? If we come out as a couple and things go south, he’s afraid he won’t have anyone left.”
CeCe took Mallory’s hand, Nana’s ring digging into her skin. “I can’t make any sweeping promises of how this will work out, but it’s clear this isn’t some childhood crush. You two seem really into each other, and I think Evan would hate to keep you apart.”
“That’s all well and good, but Beckett needs to make that call.” Mallory pulled her hands free and covered her face again, feeling the need to hide away from life and all its complications. “I just need to be patient.”
CeCe didn’t say anything but patted Mallory’s arm and sighed. For a few minutes, they listened to the late summer cicadas. “You should trust Evan with the truth of your relationship. I can’t imagine him cutting Beckett out of his life, and he certainly wouldn’t do that to his favorite sister.”
Mallory smiled at CeCe’s words, hoping they were true. “But in the meantime, can you please not tell him?”
“Ouch, I hate keeping secrets from Ev. We know how well that worked out last year.” Both women recoiled at the memory, and Mallory hated herself a little for asking this of CeCe.
“If it helps, I hate that I’m asking this of you. We just need a little time.” She held up two fingers pinched together, barely a sliver of evening light between them.
CeCe huffed and pulled herself to standing. “I’ll do my best, but please don’t make me wait too long. I don’t want to walk down the aisle with a secret literally surrounding us at the altar.”
Before Mallory could respond, Evan pulled open the sliding door and walked outside, Beckett on his heels. “All right, are you girls done? I’m feeling a little left out.”
Beckett snorted and nudged Evan with his elbow. “He’s been pouting for the last ten minutes, convinced you’re having more fun.”
CeCe wrapped her arms around Evan’s neck and pulled him down for a quick kiss. “Babe, you need to calm down. You know I save all the big fun for you.” A look passed between them that siblings should never witness, and Mallory fought the urge to gag. Evan and CeCe could be in love, but she didn’t need a front-row seat.
Striving to change the subject, Mallory clapped her hands and announced, “CeCe asked me to be her maid of honor.”
Evan whooped and picked up CeCe, twirling her around the cramped balcony until her sneakered foot hit Beckett on the hip. “Oof,” he exhaled and tried to duck from another kick.
“Put me down,” CeCe ordered, giggling as Evan placed her back on the floor. “Let’s not injure the best man in the meantime, huh?”
“Thanks, CeCe.” Beckett rubbed his hip. “If this continues, I’ll need a wheelchair to get me down the aisle.”
Mallory ushered everyone back inside for dessert, which was sadly a store-bought pie. “I know it’s poor form to offer this to a pastry chef, but I was short on time.”
CeCe took her slice and beamed. “And I will never say no to free pie, especially from family.”
Mallory’s eyes misted and she shook her head. “No more sweet words, ma’am. I’m really trying not to cry.”
Beckett passed out spoons and the foursome fell back into safer conversation topics like the engagement party. “The party is next week,” Evan said between bites. “Foxy, you think you can help me make a playlist? CeCe and I have the food covered, but we’re thinking it’ll be nice for something to play in the background.” Turning to his sister he added, “And Mal, can you help me with the invites?”
“Absolutely. Should be easy since everyone is local.”
Evan wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and nodded. “Exactly. The only unknowns are your and Foxy’s dates.”
Like a scene from a movie, CeCe, Beckett, and Mallory all froze. CeCe’s fork stalled on the way to her mouth and the piece of pie landed with a sad splat on her plate. Mallory looked to Beckett, who was about to choke on his dessert. “Well, I was thinking,” Mallory started, striving to sound casual and not rehearsed. “Beckett and I would go together.”
Evan rolled his eyes. “Geez, Mal. Maybe he’s got a better offer?” Despite Evan not knowing the truth, his words stung. Why couldn’tshebe the better offer?
