Page 49 of Last Call

“Grandma!” Owen ran through the door full speed when he spotted Andi.

“Did she call everyone?” Fallon whispered to Riley.

“I doubt she needed to,” Riley replied. She bumped Fallon lightly with her hip and gestured toward Evan, who was quietly slipping into a booth in the far corner.

Fallon sighed.

“Bring him a soda,” Riley said. “And talk to him.”

Fallon nodded and ducked behind the bar. “How many free drinks am I giving out tonight?” she teased Carol.

“All of them,” Carol replied without missing a beat.

“I figured as much.” Fallon followed Carol’s gaze across the room to Evan. “He’s probably worried about Pete.”

Carol nodded. “I’m sure he is. He and Pete are close.”

Fallon hesitated. “I don’t know what to say to him. It’s not like I can promise everything will be okay.”

“No. No one can,” Carol said quietly. “But you can sit with him. That might be enough.”

“Well, hedidputhimselfin the corner.”

Carol rolled her eyes, grabbed Fallon’s arm, and pulled her into the kitchen.

“What did I say?” Fallon asked.

“You are one of the smartest people I know. How can you be so thick?” Carol pointed through the small window in the swinging door. “Look out there.”

“I’mlooking. What am I supposed to beseeing?”

Carol exhaled. “Owen has you and Riley. Dave’s here with Andi and Billie. You’ve got Ida. There are families out there, Fallon. Evan’salone.Pete’s like a father to him. Maybe that’s not what you want to hear, but it’s the truth.”

Fallon leaned back against the counter. “I know he looks up to Pete.”

“He does. It’s more than that, Fallon.”

“Yeah. I know.”

“I know things between you and Dean have been rough. I’m not trying to make anything worse.”

“You didn’t. It’s just—every time I think I’ve made peace with Dean; something happens to remind me of the shitstorm he and Liv caused.”

“He’s still your big brother,” Carol said gently.

“Yeah. And I love him. He still pisses me off.”

“I know he hurt you. You’re not the only one who feels disappointed by Dean.”

Fallon nodded. “I know. I’ve been so focused on Summer and Emily since their mom died. I haven’t really been there for Evan.”

“Summer and Emily lost their mom. She’s not coming back. I think everyone understands—Evan included. It doesn’t changehisreality. He played second fiddle to Emily and Sumer with Dean for years. At least, that’s how he feels. You know that’s true.”

Fallon groaned. Dean didn’t skip Evan’s soccer games or award ceremonies because he loved Emily and Summer more; being there for the girls allowed Dean to see Liv. Evan paid the price for his father’s selfishness.

“I should’ve done better,” Fallon said.

“I don’t think that’s true.”

---