Page 36 of Last Call (Open Tab #5)

Chapter Eight

Barb hadn’t expected to see Pete’s tow truck heading her way.

“Dammit,” she muttered, watching it slow and pull onto the shoulder behind her car. Great. Now Pete was missing Fallon and Riley’s party because her car decided to play dead.

She would’ve fallen over if she hadn’t already been sitting when she saw who stepped out of the cab.

The woman shut the door and strolled toward her with easy confidence. Tall, lean, with long dark hair pulled into a low ponytail and work boots scuffed from actual labor—not style. She wore faded jeans, a navy t-shirt, and a playful smirk.

“Had a little issue, huh?” she asked, stopping just shy of the driver’s side window.

Barb blinked, confused. “Uh… yeah.”

“I’m guessing you were expecting someone with a little more facial hair?” the woman added.

Barb opened her mouth, then closed it again.

“I’m Parker,” she said, holding out her hand. “Parker Avery. I work for Pete.”

Barb took her hand, still trying to catch up. Beth had mentioned Pete was bringing on a new mechanic. She’d skipped a few important details. Like the fact that the new mechanic was stunning. And clearly very good at throwing people off balance.

“I... uh, well, I was expecting Pete,” Barb admitted.

“It’s okay,” Parker said, flashing a grin as she stepped back toward the front of Barb’s car. “You mind popping the hood for me?”

Barb fumbled to find the lever. She stepped out of the car as Parker lifted the hood and leaned over the engine like she’d done it a thousand times—probably because she had.

Definitely not what Barb had pictured. And definitely not what she’d braced herself for after a long day of coffee, car trouble, and kids.

Parker leaned under the hood, squinting as she adjusted a few wires and checked the fluids. She moved with quiet confidence—capable hands and a focused gaze.

Barb stood a few feet back, arms crossed, watching despite herself.

After a minute, Parker straightened and closed the hood with a solid thud.

“Well,” she said, brushing her hands on her jeans, “it’s not going to blow up, but it’s also not going anywhere under its own power. Probably a sensor, but I’ll have to run diagnostics at the shop.”

Barb nodded, already dreading the logistics. “Of course.”

“I’ll get it loaded up,” Parker said, heading back to the truck. “Is someone coming to get you, or do you want to ride with me?"

Barb hesitated. Riding in a tow truck with a striking stranger wasn’t on her bingo card for the day. Then again, neither was breaking down on the side of the road. "I'm supposed to be at a birthday party."

"Aw. Pete mentioned something about a party. Fallon Foster's kid, right?"

"Yes."

"I can unload the car at the shop and take you up there," Parker offered.

“Are you sure? Everyone I know is at that party," Barb said softly.

Parker turned and gave her a lopsided smile. “Then it’s either me or waiting two hours for the backup rotation out of Essex. They’re slower and nowhere near as charming.”

Barb laughed. “I believe that.”

“Besides,” Parker said, opening the passenger-side door and gesturing to the seat, “I’ve got AC, snacks, and a playlist that doesn’t include Taylor Swift. Hard to beat.”

Barb raised an eyebrow as she walked over. “You’re mocking my children’s taste in music.”

"Nothing against the Swifties," Parker said. "I'm a little more old-school."

Barb climbed in and settled into the seat. It smelled faintly of motor oil and pine-scented air freshener—oddly comforting.

Parker hopped in on the driver’s side, adjusted the mirrors, and fired up the engine. “Fallon’s place it is.”

As they pulled back onto the road, Barb glanced sideways at the woman behind the wheel—confident, quick-witted, and absolutely not what she expected.

It had been a long time since someone surprised her.

She wasn’t sure what that meant—if anything.

It felt familiar, a little unsettling but welcome. She'd think about that later. Maybe.

Everyone looked up when Pete’s tow truck turned into the drive.

“Barb really needs to catch a break,” Carol said, shading her eyes.

Andi let out a low whistle as the driver’s door opened, and Parker rounded the front to help Barb down.

“I’d say she caught more than a break,” Andi murmured.

“That’s Avery’s kid?” Billie asked Pete, eyes narrowing.

“Yeah. Why?”

Beth stifled a giggle.

“Please tell me she bats for our team,” Billie muttered.

Andi smacked her arm. “Billie.”

“What? You were thinking the same thing.”

“I was not saying it out loud.”

"No. Just whistling."

Andi shrugged. "I'm happily married to you. Not blind."

“I’m missing something,” Dale said, glancing between them.

“Thanks for the update,” Carol deadpanned. “Let us know when you find it.”

The group quieted as Barb and Parker approached. There was something about the way Parker walked—comfortable in her skin, not trying to impress anyone but somehow managing to anyway. Barb looked a little flustered.

Fallon stood, brushing some crumbs off her jeans. “Hey. Glad you made it in time for cake.” She turned to Parker with a smile. “You must be Parker.”

“Don’t hold it against me,” Parker said, sliding her hands into her pockets.

Fallon laughed. “No worries. I passed his class.”

“Yeah, but Andi and I got A’s,” Pete added. “You only pulled a B+.”

“You got an A in the Ambusher’s class?” Dale asked Andi.

“Why is that surprising?” Andi asked.

“Pete took the tests for you, huh?” Dale guessed.

“Should I be following any of this?” Barb asked.

Parker leaned toward her. “My dad’s a bit of a legend at the regional high school. Depending on who you ask, he’s either a historical treasure or a medieval tormentor.”

“More like both,” Fallon said.

Parker grinned. “He still gives me pop quizzes sometimes. Last week, he made me recite the Articles of Confederation while changing a fuel pump.”

Laughter rippled through the group.

“Well,” Parker said, stepping back a bit, “I should get going."

Fallon opened her mouth, but Riley beat her to it. “Oh no. You’re not escaping that easily.”

Parker raised an eyebrow. “I’m not?”

“It’s Owen’s birthday,” Riley said. “That means cake. You helped save the day. You’ve earned a piece of cake.”

Parker hesitated, glancing at Barb, who was trying very hard not to look hopeful.

“Come on,” Riley added with a wink. “I’ll even let you skip Pin the Tail on Dale."

"Why am I always the butt of the joke?" Dale asked.

"Every ass needs its tail," Carol quipped.

"Please tell me that isn't me," Marge joked.

Parker laughed. “Alright. But only because I'm terrified someone will suggest Bobbing for Parkers. I've never been great at holding my breath."

Owen came charging across the lawn. “Gwama! Gwama!”

“Here we go,” Billie said, bending down. “What’s up?”

Owen looked at Andi. "Can I show Hope my toad?"

Andi smiled. “Hope’s ten months old, honey. I don’t think she likes toads yet.”

“She will!"

"I think Mr. Toad needs to stay in his box for now. Remember, you promised to let him go after the party,” Fallon said.

Owen looked doubtful.

Parker crouched beside him. “You know what? I’d love to meet your toad."

Owen’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

“Absolutely."

"You's not scared?'

"Of a toad?" Parker asked.

Owen nodded.

"Nope. But your mom is right. He's probably missing his family."

"Yes. I'm sure his lumpy family is missing him," Riley said.

"Near. Far," Ida sang as Owen took Parker's hand and led her away.

Fallon leaned over and bumped Barb's shoulder gently. “You, okay?”

Barb nodded.

"Sit down," Fallon said.

"Parker seems great," Marge commented.

"She's as good a mechanic as you could find," Pete said.

Carol looked at Barb and grinned. "Which means she's good with her hands."

Barb coughed.

Fallon shot Carol a warning glance.

"What? What did I say? You were all thinking it. Hell, I was thinking it!"

Fallon cleared her throat. "I'll get you a drink," she told Barb.

Riley claimed the chair next to Barb. "Parker is new in town, too," she said.

"She told me she just moved back," Barb said.

"So? Maybe a new friend," Riley said, putting her hand over Barb's.

"Maybe."

Fallon tucked another toy into Owen’s toy box and let the lid drop with a soft thud. “It’s a good thing we’re building a bigger house. Where are we supposed to fit toys for two kids?”

Riley smiled. “How do you feel about that?”

“Toys?”

“Fallon.”

Fallon exhaled slowly, lowering herself to the floor beside Riley.

Sometimes, when you’d been waiting forever for something— the thing—and it finally felt close enough to touch, it wasn’t excitement that came first. It was terror.

“In two weeks,” Fallon said quietly, “we’re going to try. And I don’t want to get my hopes up.”

“But your hopes are up,” Riley said gently.

“I can’t seem to help it. Do you remember Owen’s birthday last year?”

“Do I remember it?" Riley asked. "I’m still finding silly string around the house.”

Fallon grinned. “I couldn’t have imagined everything that would happen in a year."

“It hasn’t been boring, that’s for sure,” Riley said.

“No. It all feels the same—and somehow everything’s different.”

“Is it?”

“Don’t you think so?”

“In some ways,” Riley said. “I definitely didn’t picture Andi married to Billie.”

Fallon laughed. “Yeah, that was a twist.”

“But us?” Riley shook her head softly. “I don’t know that I pictured the whole scene—married, building a house, trying to have a baby. But I knew I wanted to be with you.”

Fallon tilted her head.

“That day,” Riley said. “Owen’s party. You chased me with that ridiculous can of silly string.”

“Oh, I remember.”

“You tackled me.”

“I might’ve done that on purpose," Fallon admitted.

Riley grinned. “I know. You fell on top of me, and I felt it. Something shifted—deep inside me. I didn’t know what would happen, but I knew I’d never look back.”

Fallon reached for Riley. “Thank God for Silly String.”

Riley leaned in and whispered, “Thank you .”

“Huh?”

“For everything.”