When I Fall (Alabama Summer #3)

Unknown: Yes, it’s a group text. Haven’t you done a group text before? And where are we at on the shrimp allergy?

Unknown: Have you been living under a rock? Who doesn’t know what a group text is? CLAPTON, SERIOUSLY?

Me: I need to program your names in here. Hold on.

I think I could get away with not assigning Tessa a name. Her messages are definitely . . . Tessa.

Tessa: Helloooo. . . .

I laugh as I type my response.

Me: Okay. No, I’m not allergic to shrimp.

Mia: Oh, good! Are you coming? You don’t have to bring anything.

Tessa: WTF. Fine. I’ll bring EVERYTHING.

Mia: HAHA.

Me: I don’t mind bringing something. It’s not a big deal.

Tessa: You are bringing something. Your chatty little mouth.

Mia: Next time we do lunch you can bring something. Can you come over at 2?

Tessa: Why are we eating at 2? Who the hell eats lunch that late? I’m going to have to eat something before I come over there.

Mia: The boys will be down for their naps by then. I’m not having girl time with a kid strapped to my boob.

Tessa: Nice change from Ben though, huh?

Mia: Shut up.

Me: I can be there at 2.

Mia: Yayyyy! Here’s my address: 79 Arrondale Drive. We’re the house with the blowup bouncy castle in the front yard.

Tessa: Have you and Ben had sex in that thing yet?

Mia: What? No! It’s in the front yard!

Tessa: And . . . I bet it’s like fucking on a water bed. That’s on my bucket list.

Mia: Is everything on your bucket list a different place for you and Luke to have sex?

Tessa: No. I also have skydiving on there.

Tessa: While having sex.

Mia: Nice. Okay, the baby needs me. See you both at 2!

Tessa: Don’t stand us up, Clapton.

Me: I won’t. Thank you for inviting me.

Mia: I just love her. She’s so much sweeter to talk than you.

Tessa: Mia, we’re still in the group text.

Mia: Oh . . . okayyy, see you soon!

I toss my phone onto the bed and grab some clothes. Even though I already took a shower today, I hopped right back into my pajamas after I dried off.

Pathetic, I know, but why bother getting dressed when you have no intention of leaving your bed?

I step into my boots, grab my keys, tuck my phone into my pocket, and head for the stairs. “Aunt Hattie?” I call out, peeking my head into the kitchen.

“I’m in here, darlin.’”

I turn around and walk back down the hallway.

Hattie is sitting at the computer with the shoe box I gave her in her lap, sifting through the pictures. She stops and looks up at me when I walk in.

“I was beginning to worry about you. You haven’t come out of that room much since Sunday.”

My eyes wander to the floor as I try and think of an excuse.

She can’t know the real reason why I’ve been shut away for two days. I’m embarrassed enough as it is. Informing my sweet aunt that I had face-down, ass-up, hanging from the ceiling, spread across the table, do me faster, harder, has any man ever done you here sex might make this situation worse. But I have to give her something.

A sickness. Of course! I could’ve easily been sick.

I flatten a hand to my stomach and raise my head. “I think I had a virus or something. My stomach hated me.”

She seems convinced, a look of concern pulling together her eyebrows. “Oh, no. You’re okay now?”

“I am. I feel so much better.”

“Well, that’s good. There was this horrible stomach flu going around right before you arrived. Maybe that’s what you caught.”

I nod, letting my hand slide down to my side. “Maybe.” My eyes flick to the shoebox. “Have you looked through all of the pictures in there?”

She looks down into her lap. “No, but I’m only allowing myself to pick a few a day. Seems silly, I guess. But I want to experience every picture as if I’m living it with you. It might take me a while to go through all of these. I framed one when you were a baby and put it up at the bar.” Her deep brown eyes find mine. “I hope that’s okay. It’s not out in the open or anything. It’s back in Danny’s office.”

“That’s okay with me. I actually had a question about the bar.”

Stepping further into the small room, I run my finger over a picture frame hanging on the wall. Hattie is much younger, smiling at the camera, dressed in her wedding gown. Danny is smiling down at her, his tie undone.

Reed’s tie undone.

Oh no. Don’t think about ties being undone. Stick with your question.

Clearing my throat, I look over at Hattie, and my movement draws her attention off the photos again. I put my hand on my hip. “Is there any chance the bar could use a waitress who’s willing to work long hours? I really need to get a job.”

When I was batting around ideas for employment, one of the first options I thought of was working at McGill’s. The food is great, I love the atmosphere, and it would allow me to spend more time with my family. There is one minor problem.

“I’ve never waitressed before, but I’m a fast learner,” I add, hoping I didn’t just eliminate my chances. But I don’t want her thinking I’m going to walk in there and know how to work a register.

She thinks it over for a few seconds, laughing softly when I fold my hands in front of me and whisper the word “please,” over and over.

Leaning back in her chair, she sets the shoebox on the desk and stands. Her hands circle my wrists. She smiles. Then I smile, really big, which causes her to pull me into a hug.

“I think we can work something out,” she says, leaning back after our short embrace. “Week nights would probably be better for you to waitress. The weekend is really more of a bar style setting, and I think you’ll get a lot more tips when it isn’t that type of a crowd. People only come in to drink on the weekends. They come in to eat during the week.”

“They should come in to eat all the time. The food is great.” Major bonus about working at McGill’s. Free bar food. I beam at my aunt. “I’m so excited! When can I start?”

She releases my arms and moves back to her desk chair, smiling at my excitement. “How about tomorrow? It’ll give me time to smooth this over with your Uncle Danny.”

My heart sinks as I stare at her. “He won’t want me working there?” I ask, stepping closer.

Hattie quickly shakes her head, dismissing my concern. “No, it’s not that he wouldn’t want you working there, darlin.’ Danny just knows what kind of men come around the bar sometimes. He’s protective of you is all. If he sees some sleazeball getting too close to his favorite niece, he’ll take them out back and beat them with something. He’ll just worry about you. I know him.”

I love how quickly I’ve fallen into this family. How naturally it happened, as if I was always here.

I jingle my keys. “I’m going over to my friend’s house for lunch. Let me know what he says, okay?”

“Oh, I’m sure he’ll let you know what he says. Especially if the answer is yes. Get ready for a lecture, darlin.’”

I wave to Hattie, hearing her sweet laugh fade out behind me as I head out the front door.