Page 101 of Fall to Me
Carter settles in beside me and asks, “Where’s Tucker?”
Pulling out a chair, Cal glances over at Carter. “He’s staying the night with Elija.”
Reaching out, I dish out a heaping portion of lasagna, piling it onto my plate. Carter looks at me with wide eyes.
“There is no way you’re eating all of that.”
“Watch me. You’ve never had Aspen’s lasagna,” I say, digging in.
“So, what was up with the police the other day?” Cal asks. “You never did tell us why they pulled you out of practice.”
Carter and I look at each other, and he nods.
“They called me and asked me to come down to the police department to exonerate Carter. I was taken to the back and questioned. When I told them what happened, they acted like they didn’t believe a word I said. Then when it was all over, they wouldn’t let me see Carter. They were interrogating him like a criminal.”
“The detective wanted more details about what happened the night of the attack. He may request security footage from you,” Carter says to Aspen before stabbing his fork into his salad and taking a bite.
“What? Why?” Aspen asks.
“He thought I was the one who attacked River, and that she was protecting me. Your security footage will clear me.”
Cal’s fork clinks loudly as he drops it to his plate. “That’s fucking bullshit.”
“Right?” I throw my hand out in exasperation.
“I’m actually glad they’re doing their fucking job, for once. I didn’t mind it so much,” Carter shrugs. “I think the detective on the case has something to prove, and whatever is eating at him will hopefully be the driving force to put Jaxon away.”
“Let’s talk about something else. Everything about this Jaxon situation pisses me off to no end. What’s been going on with y’all? Anything new?” I ask to change the subject.
I’m hoping Aspen has found out for sure that she’s pregnant and that’s the reason why she invited us to dinner. Wiping my mouth with my napkin, I watch as she and Cal glance at each other.
“We have some news,” Aspen says, rubbing up and down Cal’s arm.
Fucking finally. I’ve been waiting for this!
“You go ahead and tell them, Hotshot,” Aspen encourages.
Yes!
“I’m adopting Tucker,” he says, beaming. “Everything is already in motion. We’re just waiting for a court date.”
“Oh my god!” I jump up from my seat and race over to hug them both. “That’s incredible!”
Aspen stands, and I hold on to her, blinking fast, trying to keep the tears from spilling over, but it’s a miserable attempt. I know how much this means to all of them. We both wipe our eyes, and she releases me.
“That’s amazing. I’m so damn happy for you, brother,” Carter says, giving Cal a hug. “I would’ve brought cigars had I known we were gonna have news like this.”
“I have a couple,” Cal replies.
After dinner, we watch the guys as they grab their coats and head outside to smoke. Sitting patiently, I wait for the French doors to close behind them before I say anything to Aspen. She takes a drink of her water and gazes at me from over the glass.
“Don’t think I didn’t notice there was no alcohol in your drink at the club last week. Grenadine, Sprite and a Cherry? You know, you think you’re slick, and you might be able to get away with that with everyone else, but I’ve known you my entire life.”
Her lips curl into a smile. “I had to throw people off.”
“You mean throw Cal off. He doesn’t know, does he?” I whisper shout, even though they can’t hear me.
“No.”
