“It just flew outta my mouth.”
“And now what kind of monster would I be if I called it off? I’d be the big bad wolf blowin’ our house down.” I splash water over my face and hair, unwilling to even look at him. “My parents want to include us at the fundraiser now, what a surprise. Jacky-Ann has probably told all of her friends. And you already have your football kids believing I’m a good-luck mascot ‘cause ‘their coach needs his man in the bleachers’, and now I can only imagine how they’ll be after hearingthis. You know how word gets around this town.”
“There’s so much we haven’t figured out yet. Why’d we jump the gun last night?” He nods at the toilet. “That washcloth mine? I sure hope Joshua remembered to flush. That boy …”
“I just want to know why.” I turn away from the mirror and face him, which sobers him right up. “Why’d you do that? What are you trying to do to me, exactly?”
For a moment, I just know he’s about to pull a Tanner and say something funny again, likely about how sexy he thinks I amwith water dripping down my face and hair, or how my anger turns him on—always deflecting with humor and sex, his golden skill since I’ve known him.
But his eyes go soft and he says, “Ihadto do something.”
I stare back at him, at a loss.
Right then, Joshua appears outside the bathroom. “What’s a vowing ceremony?”
Marcus shows up just as quickly, putting a hand on his little brother’s shoulder. “It’s like a wedding. But again.”
“Will there be chocolate cake and dancing?”
“And ice cream,” confirms Marcus, steering his now eager-eyed brother away—but not before giving us a glance. “Sorry, Dads. I’ll get him to bed.”
“Nah, it’s barely …” Tanner starts, then glances at his wrist for some reason, realizes a wristwatch hasn’t been there since 2005, then shrugs. “Somethin’ o’clock on a Friday night. The summer ain’t over for you guys yet. Heck, play your video games on the big screen in the living room if you want.”
“Really?”
“Of course, buddy, go to town.” Marcus and Joshua are gone faster than either of us can blink. Then with a lighthearted sigh, Tanner turns back to me—and as if coming out of a dream, I watch his face sink into our slightly less playful reality. “I’m gonna show you, Billy. Someway. Somehow.” He takes the washcloth from my hands and gently dabs the side of my cheek. “I’m gonna remind your cute, stubborn ass why we fell in love.”
Marcus comes right back—with my phone in his hand. “It’s Grandma.”
“Billy? Billy?” twangs Nadine’s overly-excited voice. She’s on speaker, too, apparently. “I can’t turn my brain off and am drivin’ Paulwild. I’m just over the moon and probably some stars, too! Called Grandma, gettin’ her to come in for the big ordeal. I just had to call and ask, would you cater your ownevent alone, or can I get Mr. Tucci onboard from my restaurant? Y’know, Malcolm’s father, my head chef? We havegotto plan all of this outnow. Will you meet me for coffee in the mornin’? Or now? Is it too late? Skip the coffee, it’s late anyway, just chat with me!”
I stare at Tanner over the phone that still rests in Marcus’s outstretched hand. Tanner stares back at me, and I don’t know if it’s apology I see in his eyes, hope, or something else entirely I’m not sure even has a name.
I don’t know if I can do this.
I’m just plain tired.
I have no hope.
But the worst part?
A piece of mewantsto have hope.
That must be the sole reason the next words spill out from my still-dripping face. “I’ll come over, Nadine. We can discuss catering ‘til a bottle of Rosé’s empty between us.”
“Nowyou’re talkin’ my language!” she sings out, delighted. As I hang up and let Marcus head on back to his brother to play games on the big TV, I stare my husband down, preparing to play one of our own. “Let thecharadesbegin,” I say, slap my dripping wet washcloth onto his palm, and head off to the gallows.