“Uh, well. Yes, I can.” A little smirk tips his lips at me when he adds, “And Presley here is usually my singer.”
Presley turns beat red. She uses one hand to hide the middle finger she flips at him from Rachel.
Tate grins at me, proud of himself. I love watching him around the women in his family. The teasing and easy love they have for each other.
“Y'all should play right now for the party!” Rachel gasps. She pats their arms a few times. “Please? Oh, you two just sound so lovely. Allison deserves to hear that.”
“Momma, no. I work with these men. I’d never hear the end of it,” Tate groans.
“Dad!” Matty runs down the stairs. Tate engulfs his little frame in a bear hug that turns into tickling and a mini wrestling match.
Matty calls for Hudson to help and then they’re both trying to take him down. The whole thing is making my useless ovaries scream right now.
Tony, TJs best friend on the team, is here tonight with his wife, Amanda. They have a daughter, Amelia, who likes to follow Hudson around. He doesn’t seem to care much but he gives her a job to do.
“Pull on his arm!” Hudson points. She beams at him, happy to be included and then does.
I giggle along with his mom and sister watching the whole thing. A wistful sigh comes from beside me. It’s too loud to be anything but theatrical.
“They’re so cute. Hudson will be such a good big brother.” Amanda says to me with a pretend pout. Matty and Hudson drag Tate into the backyard for some game involving Tate’s lasso. He gives in albeit reluctantly. She smacks her teeth as she watches them go. It dawns on me that she means Hudson. My head turns to her slowly, in utter disbelief.
“Excuse me?”
“Oh- Sorry, I just thought everyone knew about Tanya?” She puts a hand on her chest, feigning confusion. Amanda leans forward and places a hand on my shoulder. She whispers too loudly to keep anyone from hearing. “I was surprised more than anyone when TJ had his vasectomy reversed forher. Of all people!I mean I know he loves the chase but there has to be another way to win her over, you know?”
I feel the blood drain from my face, so fast I’m surprised I don’t faint. The room around me completely fades, my vision going fuzzy. I blink. I swallow. Trying to find agency in my body again but the shock has knocked me off my axis. I reach blindly for the glass of water held out to me.
“Alli?” A soft southern voice sounds far away, though I recognize it as Rachel. There’s some kind of commotion going on around me. Loud pitched feminine voices and the breaking of glass. The rookie telling Presley to keep her hands up. A series ofoooh’sand cheering.
“Sis?” Ronan. I press my fingers to my forehead, adding pressure to soothe the intense headache. “Why don’t you go lay down for a minute? Come on, I’ll take you home.”
“No, no. I’m fine really. I don’t want to ruin the night. I just need some water. Maybe some crackers, I think I skipped dinner.” I lie easily. Ronan snorts.
“Look, I don’t know what was said but Tate had to physically pull his sister off Tony’s wife. Full cowboy style. Don’t worry, I recorded the whole thing for you.”
“Glad to see your priorities are in perfect order.” I snort.
I glance over my shoulder and see Tate and Presley outside. His hand holding ice on herknuckles. I see the moment she must say something because his brow furrows. His head turns and gaze locks onto me through the glass doors and all the people in the party.
“I probably am gonna take off after I tuck Hudson in. Since we have to get up early for the plane anyways.” I slide off my stool. Ronan watches me for a moment then takes my place, trying to extract more embarrassing stories of Tate from his mother.
I find Matty and Hudson upstairs in Matty’s bedroom. They immediately sit up excited to discuss the drama. Hudson is on the trundle to Matty’s bed, Rambo curled on the floor in front of them.
“Hey mom. Did you see Presley? I like her, she doesn’t pull hair like a girl. I bet she’d be good at hockey, fighting like that.”
All I can do is shake my head at their antics. A smile plays on my lips regardless.I can’t believe she did that.I read them a story and gave Hudson a kiss goodnight. I tuck them in tighter under their blankets once they’re asleep. I won’t see Hudson again for three days, when we get back from the series.
At least I know he’ll be having fun with Matty and Rambo. I won’t worry about him being lonely like the other times I've had to travel.Gloria is like Mary Poppins in comparison to my foster mother, who usually watches Hudson.
Downstairs, the crowd has dwindled quite a bit. Everyone has to make the same early flight.
Presley is away from the crowd whispering defensively to Rachel who appears to be scolding her quietly.
“Now you know as well as I do, He cares a great deal for her. I don’t know why you would pull this.”
“Yes, He is absolutely smitten. Obviously.” Presley rolls her eyes. “If I would’ve shared with himexactlywhat was said, he’d be throwing some punches of his own. I’d say I kept Tateoutof trouble this time. This TJ prick better be thanking his lucky stars he wasn’t here tonight.”
“Oh, for Christ's sake. Presley, you’re a grown woman. You cannot be fists first anymore.”
