Page 105 of Last Fall

“Well, I think this calls for a toast,” Eve said, quickly moving around the counter to finishing opening the bottle of wine. “Glasses,please.”

She poured wine for those off the clock, while Jake poured sparkling water for those of us still headed out to play a few innings ofbaseball.

Then Wes made a simple toast. “To the happy couple. May your days be sweet and your nightsdirty.”

There were a few snickers but everyone enthusiastically agreed as they clinked glasses. As I looked around at the familiar faces it was a little bit like wearing sunglasses inside. Everything looked the same, but different. For the first time I wasn’t watching Zoe from across the room, trying like hell to get a few seconds with her. She was here against my side, her hand in my backpocket.

I’d do just about anything to keep itthisway.

“Hey, looks like we missed all the fun!” Seth called from the doorway. Right behind him wasChris.

“Sucks to be you,” Wes called. “Your roomie has a sex partner now. I hope you haveearplugs.”

Seth’s eyes locked onto me. “About damn time.Congrats,Zoe.”

I didn’t punch him when he kissed my lady’s cheek, but I wanted to. “Careful,roomie.”

“Shut up,” heshotback.

“Hey, Eve. I thought dinner was only for the cool kids.” Seriously, how many more clowns were going to walk throughthatdoor?

“Chris is cool. Seth’s not, but we keep him around anyway.” She grinned when Seth scowled, which was one of the reasons I always liked Eve. She reminded me of mysisters.

Speaking of which, “Ma doesn’tknowyet.”

Seth saluted. “I won’t tattle when Mama Cassidyarrives.”

“Arrives?” Zoe asked with a tug onmyarm.

“She’s coming to visit for the playoffs.” Then I scowled at Seth. “She’ll know by then. It’s not a secret or anything, I just don’t want your sad pathetic attempts at becoming my fourth brother to ruin my news,asshat.”

“It’s not my fault your mama loves me morethanyou.”

“It’s not my fault you answer my phone either, but here we are,” I sighed. Was it really too much to ask to call my own mother on my ownterms?

This was just proof I lived with a bunch of kids pretending to be full-grownmen.

“All right, all right,” Jake said. “Appetizers are on the back porch. This kitchen is getting a littlecrowded.”

Wes grabbed me at the same time Carrie and June surrounded Zoe, separating us. The only reason I let go of her hand was because I was worried if I refused and told everyone to fuck off, then everyone would see how far gone I was and it mightscareZoe.

Wes grabbed my shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “You allright,man?”

“’Course I’m allright.”

“Uh, sure. Whatever. You’ve got ‘scared shitless’ written all over your face. Didn’t realize you thought so highly of me.” He bounced and grinned but he also watched me like he was genuinely worriedaboutme.

I shrugged off his big paw. “Look, you don’t have to worry, okay? I’ll kick my own ass harder than you ever could if I hurt her inanyway.”

Wes stared atme. “Okay.”

“Don’t look at melikethat.”

He kept staring. “She told you, didn’t she?” He scrubbed his face. “Wow. You two areserious.”

As a heart attack. And I was glad he got it. “I know thedetails.”

“Who are wekilling?”