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“I never said it, but I think he might guess. He’s been around the tracks a few times.”
Half an hour later, we walked into the Katoomba Hotel where the press and film people were gathered at the bar. In the past, Jamie would have had a bevy of girls around him, but tonight he had only one. Could it be my friend was settling down? I was in shock.
I went over and gave him a hug. “Been a long time, mate. Didn’t think you would want to associate with us low life’s anymore,” I said.
“I can suffer down here in the gutter for you. I need you to keep me honest in case I get too big for my boots. That aside, I would like to introduce Pip. She is on the show too,” Jamie said as he turned to the petite blonde next to him.
“This is my friend, Autumn.” I felt so proud introducing her like a teenager saying they eventually had a girlfriend.
“Hi, Autumn. Shall we let these two guys catch up on their misspent youth while we talk? I need a break from the press.”
The two of them wandered off to settle on one of the bar couches while Jamie pulled me aside. I hoped Autumn would speak well of me.
“She’s a looker. I’m impressed, and a doctor from what you said on the phone the other day. Shall I tell her the truth about you and that you are a low-down bum?” Jamie thumped me on the arm.
“Nope. You will keep all the secrets of our past under lock and key. But you can have a beer with me instead.”
“You look different, mate. This one getting to you?”
Was I that obvious? Then again, I had been closer to Jamie than my own brother growing up.
“I think she is, but Autumn’s only here for a year. Then she’s going back to London.”
“So, she is slumming it with you. Make it the best year she has ever had, and she’ll be back for more.”
“I’m trying to keep her as happy as I can in that department.” We both sipped on our beers.
“Tell me to eff-off if you don’t want to say. But how is the family?” Jamie sipped his beer.
“Been down to Melbourne a few times and Mom is still having problems with her health. They keep wanting me to go back. You understand how things are never the same when you try to return. Too much shit went down back there. Plus, the days of us having fun running naked across school sports fields are long gone.” I missed being able to talk to Jamie like this.
“That was fun back then, wasn’t it?” Jamie laughed. “You know, the Blue Mountains suits you. No, actually it’s too pretty for you. Look, I know I’ve been a dick at times but let me give you some advice. I might be making movies and have different ladies all the time, but if I found the one, I would grab on tight. Don’t screw it up if this lovely lady likes you.”
“Never thought I’d hear you say that. Always thought you were the notch-on-the-bedpost type of guy. As far as Autumn goes, I’ll try not to.” I clinked my beer glass with Jamie.
“What about you and this Pip?”
“Nah, just good friends. It doesn’t always work to have a relationship with your coworker. I’m off to LA soon anyway. Might get a chance at a TV show over there called Dark Storm. Might play a werewolf or something.”
“I’ve watched that show. It’s pretty good. Well, at least I’ll have someone to visit.”
The two of us chatted about the past for a bit longer. Did I really have a shot at something lasting with Autumn? I would give anything to think so. Trouble was, I came with baggage.
The evening went well, and Autumn and Pip seemed to be getting along like long-lost friends. When I got in the pickup to drive us home, I was nervous about what Autumn would say. Chatting with Jamie made me realize I wanted to be more than ‘friends with benefits’. Knowing my luck, I would push it too far and lose what I had.
“That was a lovely evening, and Jamie has invited me to go and visit him in the States. I could see Grant as well. It’s good to have more contacts.”
“I’m really glad you liked him.”
“Stop looking so scared. They both only had good things to say about you. By the way, he is cute, but you’re way hotter.”
I smiled. I was still in the game.
FIFTEEN
Autumn
The weeks were going by, and I was settling into a rhythm with Ryan. He would stay over and worship my body, and I had no complaints. He was all about making sure I was satisfied I didn’t think I had experienced so many orgasms in years. Maybe my body was unwinding from its tight spring after all. He had been so good at helping me deal with Kevin. I had been a mess and could feel the panic coming back. Hopefully, the police would do their job in London, and I would be free of him at last. It was a part of my life I was glad to leave behind.
