Chapter 34 Patton #2
Oreo is here too, wearing a bow tie that Winnie insisted on. He sits at her feet under the table, occasionally poking his head up for scraps.
“This was your idea?” I ask, gesturing to the dog.
“Everyone loves firefighter dogs. Plus, he’s cute.”
“He’s a menace.”
“He’s your menace.”
Fair point.
The town watches us. I catch Silver Sam nudging Lucky. Grandma Joyce and Judy wear matching, knowing smiles. Peony gives Winnie an encouraging look. I avoid the guys’ guilt trips. No, I haven’t told her about the bet yet, but does it actually matter? Not to me. It means nothing. End of story.
However, everyone is invested in ours. If only they knew how complicated it actually is.
Hayes appears in the squirrel mascot costume, hamming it up on the dance floor.
“Better him than me,” Winnie says, looking relieved.
“Rookie rite of passage,” I mutter when he passes.
He gives me an exaggerated thumbs up.
The music turns to a slow song. Austin dances with his so-called best friend.
We’ll see how long that lasts—one of them will fall if they’re not already pining, the other’s heart will be broken.
James and Peony sit stiffly beside each other.
Scotty looks markedly uncomfortable when Gail Clearwater asks him to dance.
Reese is with a woman who looks vaguely familiar.
I think I’ve seen her on TV or online, though that can’t be right.
Then again, supposedly, he’s been in a long-distance relationship since Christmas.
As for Hayes, he’s by the punchbowl, having ditched the mascot head, and surrounded by several women.
“May I?” I offer Winnie my hand.
“You may.”
The moment our palms touch, the rough edges soften, the tension in my shoulders releases, and the restlessness in me settles.
I guide her onto the dance floor, my other hand finding the small of her back.
Her fingers curl into mine, the other resting on my shoulder.
We start to move. She looks up at me, wearing the loveliest smile, and I just know …
The woman fits perfectly in my arms, into my life.
We sway to a slow and sweet tune. For a moment, everything else fades.
“I’ve been thinking about that night in the first aid room,” she says softly.
“Me too. Every day. All the time.”
I’m about to tell her I love her. She opens her mouth like she’s about to confess something, too.
Then Austin takes the microphone. “Before the night ends, the crew has a confession to make.”
My head snaps up. What is he doing?
Winnie looks over at him, concerned because this wasn’t part of tonight’s program.
Austin grins at the crowd. “A few months ago, we made a bet about our Lieutenant here.”
The room goes quiet. The spotlight finds us.
Austin continues, “We bet that Maverick couldn’t get through Ball planning without arguing with the Parks & Rec Princess.” Laughter erupts from the crowd. “But look at this event! They worked together perfectly. So, Mav, you won, brother. Proud of you.”
More laughter and applause.
But Winnie turns pale, limp in my arms.
“You made a bet?” Her voice is barely a whisper. “About me?”
“Winnie, let me explain—”
Before I can, Mindy bounces over with a microphone someone gave her.
“If this is a honey roast, let’s go all in. Our department made a bet too!” she announces cheerfully.
Winnie’s eyes bulge.
“We bet Winnie she couldn’t make the grouchiest guy in town have fun at the Ball! We called it Operation Make Maverick Smile!”
The crowd laughs. Thinks it’s adorable.
But Winnie’s expression is horrified.
Mine is shattered.
We stare at each other.
Both betrayed. Both guilty.
“You were just trying to win a bet,” she says.
“So were you.”
“I was going to tell you—”
“When? After you won?”
I know it’s not fair, but I’m hurt and defensive and on fire as the spotlight sweeps over us.
Vaguely in the background, Mindy and Austin take turns explaining that they knew we were interested in each other, but were both too stubborn to admit it. Thought they’d collude and help things along. But all I can focus on is the woman in front of me.
“At least I had good intentions,” she says, tears in her eyes. “You just didn’t want to argue.”
“And you just wanted to prove you could crack the impossible case.” The words are cruel. I regret them immediately.
But they’re out there, hanging between us like poison that we both offered up, both swallowed.
“I need air.” She steps out of my arms.
“Winnie—”
But she’s walking away. Not running. Just … leaving.
I’m frozen. Can’t follow. Reeling, angry, hurt. And aware that we both messed up.
The crowd looks confused, as if wondering why we’re not laughing along with them.
Apparently, all’s well that ends well doesn’t work in real life.
Peony follows Winnie out.
Austin appears at my side. “I’m so sorry, man. I thought it would be funny, break the ice—”
“It’s not your fault. It’s mine.” My voice sounds hollow.
Silver Sam appears with Buttercup on a leash, overtly disobeying the building code. “Son, you’ve gotta grovel. Hands and knees. I’m talking flowers, chocolate, jewelry, skywriting—”
“Sir, I don’t think—”
“Skydiving! Dive right into her life! Grand gestures! Romance!” he exclaims.
Oreo barks in agreement.
“That’s … a lot,” I manage.
“Love is a lot,” Sam says sagely.
Hayes, still in half the Gus the squirrel costume, waddles over and pats my shoulder with a giant mascot paw.
The absurdity of the moment—advice from an elderly man with a mule, comfort from a guy in a squirrel suit—would be funny if my heart wasn’t breaking.
I look toward the exit where Winnie disappeared.
Inside, the Ball continues around me. Music plays. People dance. Life goes on.
But my world has tilted. Imploded.
We’re not broken up. We were never officially together.
But we’re broken.
And I have no idea how to fix it.
I let my guard down. Trusted someone. Fell in love.
Everything has crumbled, fallen apart.
The worst thing is that I did this. I could’ve stopped it. Same for her.
We’re both guilty. Both hurt. We each stand on opposite sides of the same mistake.
Outside, Winnie is on the steps with Peony.
Inside, I’m alone while surrounded by the entire town.
And between us, the wreckage of two stupid bets that turned into something real.
But can we salvage this or did we just destroy the best thing either of us ever had?