Trying to Score by Toni Aleo Page A

Fallon couldn’t see what she was wearing, but she was sure it was a track suit.
    William stood tall in his dark jeans and big black coat. His dark brown hair was dusted with gray and so was his beard. Fallon always thought her father was a good-looking man, very young looking without the help of Dr. Swartz. William used to be Fallon’s favorite person, not so much anymore.
    “Hey Mom…and Dad,” Fallon said.
    What the hell was he doing there? Usually it was just her mom that came to watch Aiden, not her dad too.
    “Fallon honey, aren’t you looking pretty,” Nora said, hugging her tightly before walking past her. Like always William just walked by with only a nod for his first born. Fallon let out a long breath as she shut the door. This was not the way she was trying to start her night. She was already nervous about how she looked; now she was gonna have to deal with her dad.
    Oh Lord, hopefully he didn’t want to go to the party.
    As Fallon turned she heard Aiden running down the stairs, with Audrey right behind him. Aiden flung himself into William’s arms, hugging him tightly.
    “Grandpa, I didn’t know you were coming to watch me!”
    William laughed, his eyes wrinkling at the sides, as he hugged Aiden tightly. “I have the night off, what better way to spend it but with my favorite little guy.”
    Fallon’s hands clenched, causing her nails to bite the inside of her hands. Why it bothered Fallon so much when William said that, she would never know, but it did. Fallon didn’t know if it was jealously, or if it was the fact that William was very adamant about Fallon getting an abortion back then but now Aiden is his favorite guy? It seemed a little contradictory to her.
    “Awesome! Let’s play Xbox! Bye Mom, bye AA!” Aiden yelled as he jumped from William’s arms and started to drag him up the stairs.
    “Hello to you too, Aiden James!” Nora yelled. Aiden stopped in his tracks, and turned slowly with a shameful grin on his face.
    “Sorry Grammie, hi,” Aiden said, wrapping his arms around Nora’s waist as she laughed.
    “Hello my darling, how are you?”
    “Good, a little tired. I killed four, six-headed hippogriffs this afternoon,” Aiden said with a straight face while Audrey and Fallon couldn’t help but giggle.
    “Four?! Great balls of fire! And six heads? Goodness me!”
    “Yeah, it was intense, but I’m awesome, and can do anything,” he said with a shrugged of his shoulders causing everyone to laugh, even William. Fallon came around the couch, wrapping Aiden up in her arms.
    “Yes, you are my sweet baby. I gotta go. I’ll see you in the morning,” Fallon said before giving him a kiss and going to get her jacket.
    “Bye bud! Tomorrow, me and you, waffles,” Audrey said making Aiden jump in excitement.
    “Yay! Bye Momma! Bye AA!” Aiden yelled with a big wave.
    “Y’all have fun,” Nora said as William picked Aiden up, putting him over his shoulder. “Be careful,” Nora added as she walked with them to the door.
    “Bye Daddy!” Audrey said. Fallon rolled her eyes and didn’t bother saying bye to her dad as she walked out into the chilly March air. It was getting warmer, but not much. Fallon couldn’t wait for spring. Her favorite thing about spring was the tulips at Centennial Park, and she couldn’t wait to see them. They always made it a point to head out to the park to admire the flowers, something Aiden also loved to do.
    Fallon and Audrey waved once more at Aiden, who stood in the window with William. They jumped into Fallon’s Acura TSX Sport Wagon and drove off towards the Belle Mead Mansion. With every mile that passed, all Fallon could think was what the hell was she doing? She should turn around, go home and climb into bed. Fallon knew this was not going to be a good night.
    For Rocky Top Wines, yes, but for her, no.

Chapter 6
    The 70th anniversary vintage, Big Orange Cabernet Sauvignon, was not only being drunk by almost everyone at the party but was