Page 78 of Forever to Fall
Evan thrust his finger in the air, pointing at Beckett and nearly foaming at the mouth. “He’s into Mallory.”
CeCe rolled her eyes. She muttered something under her breath before rallying. “Are you serious?”
Misunderstanding her reaction, Evan puffed out his chest in victory. “Yeah, and I’m going to kick his ass.”
CeCe stifled a laugh and stepped between the two men. “First of all, no one is kicking anything. Second, it’s about damn time.”
“Huh?”
Now it was CeCe’s turn, striding up to Evan and flicking him square in the forehead. “Babe, are you blind?”
“Ow.” Evan covered his forehead and bobbed to avoid another flick. “What are you talking about?”
“Um, the worst-kept secret in Buckeye Falls?” CeCe asked, her voice tinged with laughter. “I love you, but you’re blind as a bat if you haven’t seen it before.”
Evan shot a hurt look at Beckett, who felt it as acutely as the punch to the face. “Seen what?”
“They’re obviously into each other. My God, Ev. You didn’t see it at Beckett’s? Or at the engagement party?”
Evan’s gaze sharpened. “Have you kissed my sister?”
The telltale blush of guilt swirled up Beckett’s neck in record time, turning him into Burning Man. If Evan only knew what all they had done together, he’d be part of the pavement by now. “Um, yes?”
CeCe snickered and tugged on Evan’s arm when he stepped forward. “Whoa there, cowboy. Let’s all take a deep breath.” She sniffed the air. “Are you drunk?” She whirled around to face Beckett. “Why is my fiancé drunk in the middle of the day?”
Beckett held up his hands, he wasn’t getting punched twice today. “And this is my cue to exit.”
Evan leaned around CeCe, who had quickly become a human shield. “This isn’t over, man.”
CeCe huffed. “I think it is. Thanks for bringing him home.”
Beckett flashed a look he hoped conveyedsorry for spilling the beans on the engagement ring. Feel free to stop by and pummel me after dinner.
Beckett got behind the wheel and headed toward home—real home. His brain on auto-pilot, Beckett was back in the farm house in record time. He let himself inside and found an old bag of peas in the freezer. Shoving them over his swelling eye, he strode out to the orchards.
While still in their orderly rows, the trees were weighed down with fruit that needed harvesting. The air was heavy with the scent of apples, a bitter sweetness that stung his nostrils. Birds flitted overhead, a few of their nests nestled between clusters of branches. Last season, the fruit had rotted on the trees, but maybe it was time for some changes. Beckett didn’t want to lose this place, especially since he likely lost his best friend today.
This place was home, and no matter what happened with the Lawsons, Beckett knew in his bones he couldn’t sell it. No one else would love the land, the house, and the general splendor like he did.Like Mallory did...
But he shook that thought away. He couldn’t think about Mallory right now; it was almost as painful as the growing welt on his face. As his legs took him further into the trees, the wind picked up as the sun dipped lower in the horizon.
Go get your girl...
He would, he just didn’t know how. Everything he’d strived to keep perfect and together had crumbled at his feet. For all his efforts, Beckett now stood alone, the apple trees, a black eye, and a thawing bag of peas his only company.
Maybe this whole situation was headed for disaster all along. And maybe Gramps was an old romantic who couldn’t see it coming. When Beckett reached the top of the hill, the familiar view brought him the comfort he craved. The house sat below, nestled in the rolling hills, a beacon calling him back.
No matter what happened with Evan and Mallory, Beckett knew he wasn’t going anywhere. He couldn’t fathom living anywhere else. He might be alone, but at least Beckett had found his home again.
