Page 30 of Fall Over You

Becca’s still talking to Ellie while she pulls out her wallet, absently handing me her credit card. “What do I owe ya?”

She does a double-take when she sees the bottom. She points to my aggressive circle around the total. “What is that? Why’d you discount me?”

I mumble something about family and Dusty slaps his hand on the counter. “That’s it. Call the mayor. The great Tyler-Rebeccian War has come to a close.”

Becca’s eyes are glassy when they meet mine. “You don’t have to—I’ve got it. And don’t forget about my tractor part.” She studies the paper closer. “Go ahead and put it on here. You were supposed to charge me up front.”

I type around on the computer like that’s actually doing anything other than giving me something else to look at. “I know you’re good for it.”

Dusty presses a hand to his chest. “Wait, what’s going on here? Are you two actually together? Is this the greatest secret ever kept?”

“No,” Becca and I snap at the same time.

“Wouldn’t that be something?” Dad chimes in from the next bay over.

Becca’s eyes plead with me. “Charge me, Tyler. I know you had to put the cash up for it.”

“I got it,” I insist. “I know where you sleep if you don’t pay.”

“You hear that, Mr. Davis?” Dusty shouts. “Tyler knows where she sleeps. He said it himself.”

“My god,” I sigh.

“Ty,” Becca says again. “I’ve got the money. Just do it.”

I close my eyes. “You won’t let me pay at your pumpkin patch⁠—”

“We’re going to the pumpkin patch?” Ellie asks, jumping up and down.

Cool fingers meet my forehead, and I flinch away from Dusty’s hand. “He doesn’t even have a fever. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say Tyler Davis is a changed man.”

My eyes sting and threaten to cross as I look over the ledger again. I compare the bank balance to what I have on the sheet.

Sadly, it’s right. I toss down my pencil, because I never bothered to upgrade to a digital bookkeeping system. Still good old pencil and paper, but it hasn’t failed me yet. It just tells me things I don’t want to hear.

The shop’s finances are in dire straits. If I don’t find some way out of this hole, I’m going to be working at somebody else’s garage, and I’ll have to find childcare for Ellie.

I’ll be forcing my dad into retirement. I’ll probably have to find someplace to live that isn’t this shop.

Worst of all, every single person in this town will watch me fail, just like they expect me to do.

I’ve got to come up with something if I want to save this garage, and fast.

My heartburn flares when I consider my conversation with Becca, and how I felt like I wasn’t as alone as I thought. I guess failure wouldn’t smart as bad if somebody else failed every once in a while.

I reach for the bottle of Tums on my desk and pop the lid, because the thought of Becca going through this makes my heart hurt even more.

It’s been years since I felt any kind of empathy for Becca and I don’t know what to do with the thought of laying down my sword with her. I’m surprised to find my text chain with her open on my phone screen. When did I get here?

I don’t know if there’s any coming back from the way she led to CJ’s downfall, but I can’t help but be charmed every time I see her.

Maybe if Ellie wasn’t in the picture—which is not something I’d ever wish for—I could enjoy Becca’s chaotic joy more. But I have to hold it together. Ellie’s counting on me, and I’d rather disappoint every single person in this town than ever let her down.

TWELVE

BECCA

TYLER