Page 62 of Last Call

“Aw, hell, Fallon. Beth was married to Dean, Mr. Perfect.”

Fallon laughed. “My brother is a far cry from perfect.”

“He fucked up. I get that.”

“Beth and Dean were young when they met. I think it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of falling in love,” Fallon said.

“When did you become a counselor?” Pete teased.

“Me? No way. I’m the one on the couch.”

“I don’t think so. Seems like your life is going pretty well.”

Fallon nodded. “It is—now. Riley and I have hit a few bumps.”

“You mean Liv.”

“No. I think I can safely say most of our bumps were Fallon-induced.”

Pete chuckled.

“Andi would say I get in my own way sometimes. She’d be right. Don’t do that,” Fallon advised. “It’s obvious Beth cares about you. And I know how Evan feels. Don’t put shit in your way that doesn’t belong. Trust me on this one.”

Pete sighed. “I love her, Fallon.”

Fallon smiled. “That’s a good thing, isn’t it?”

“To tell you the truth, I’d given up on it—finding someone, I mean. I wasn’t looking for it.”

“Yeah. That’s usually how it happens.”

“I don’t want to push her.”

“Then don’t. But don’t hold back too much, either.”

“Easy for you to say,” Pete said.

“Not really. I’m still learning on that front, too.”

“I hired a mechanic to help with the shop.”

“Seriously? Business is good, huh?”

“Business is what it’s always been,” Pete said. “I could handle it. I don’t want to be there all hours. Evan wants to play soccer in the fall, and he’s got baseball this summer. I don’t want to miss it all. Besides, she’s willing to take on some of the towing and plowing, too.”

“She?” Fallon asked.

“Yep. Parker Avery.”

“Avery? Like Mr. Avery? The sophomore history teacher who failedeveryone? NotthatAvery.”

“His daughter,” Pete said.

“Shit. No way! Mr. Avery’s daughter is an auto mechanic?”

“Yep. With a master’s degree in chemical engineering.”

“Oh man. I’ll bet Avery popped when she didn’t work in a museum—or become president.”

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