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“There was a lot going on, I just needed some fresh air.”
A sharp glare bores into me, and I know she’s beyond pissed. I might as well have saidThere were a lot of witnesses so I came out here to make out with my brother's ex-girlfriend.
She’d be just as angry either way, I think.
“I’m not an idiot, son. Neither are you, so let’s cut the crap,” she demands.
“I don’t know what you mean,” I lie.
Faster than I can react she rubs her thumb over my nose. I wince.
“Her makeup rubbed off on you.”Shit.“Wipe it off before anyone sees you, and then get back inside.”
It would be such a travesty if everyone that watched me reject Chloe knew it was for someone else, especially Autumn. A part of me wants to run in there and scream it, and see how my mother would deal with the scandal.
I wouldn’t. I have a heart, and prefer when she’s not as upset with me as she has been.
She starts to walk in the direction I came from, but I step in front of her.
“What are you doing?”
“Letting Miss Autumn know she’s out of a job, and that she needs to stay away from my son.” She steps around me but I can’t help myself, I put a hand on her shoulder to stop her again.
“No, you’re not.” She scoffs a laugh, like she can’t believe I have the nerve to go against her. “I really don’t understand what your problem is. Autumn is one of the best people I know, and you act like I’m handing her permission to ruin our lives or something. You are always reminding us that we’re grown men, but you only do that when it benefits you. You forget I’m thirty years old when it comes to making decisions that you don’t approve of, and it’s ridiculous. Justin isn’t going to crumble if he finds out she’s in my life. I’m not naive enough to assume he’s going to love it, but that’sourbusiness. Between him and I.” I run a hand through my hair as I try to collect the rest of my thoughts.
“I’m not some rebellious kid going against your wishes for fun. I tried to do it your way. I really fucking tried, but I can’t stay away from her. I know you think that’s her fault somehow, but that’s so far from the truth.”
She looks at me for a moment, as if I hadn't meant everything I just said. As if she needs to read my mind to decide what her next move is.
Whatever she finds isn’t good enough.
“There are obviously some things you don’t know, and I won’t let you find out the hard way.” Her voice is eerily calm.
“I think there’s far more thatyoudon’t know.”
She shakes her head. “You’re going to get over this, sooner or later. When that time comes, she won’t be working in my office. I might not be able to stop you from seeing her, but I can do my part to limit what’s already too much.”
“What are you going to do without the extra help at the office?”
“She’s replaceable. You’ll see that too, eventually.”
The words break my heart, and then break it again a second time when I remember she’s listening from a few feet away. Instead of stopping my mother this time, I turn and head for Autumn first.
But when I turn the corner, the alley is empty. She’s gone.
I wonder which of the words sent her into flight mode, and a headache starts to pound at my temples.
“She was always good at running away,” my mothers voice comes from behind me.
I turn to face her so fast. “You don’t know a thing about what went on with her and Justin. You should talk to him about thetruthbefore you keep throwing your judgment her way.”
I don’t even know the extent of it, but I paid attention. Justin didn’t care about her, he just cared about the attention she gave him. Autumn has been through enough when it comes to my family, and I’m done letting it happen. I’ve failed for tonight. I’ve been failing for weeks, but I’ll do better next time.
I start to head in the direction of the sidewalk, sure that’s the way she went. She didn’t pass us, and she’s only on foot.
“Get back inside, Miles,” my mother demands, ignoring my words.
“She shouldn’t be walking alone this late.”
