She gave me a pointed look. “I know how people just show up there.”
I set my beer down, nodding. “Gabby is actually terrifying for a small girl. She threatened everyone not to invite a lot of people, not to talk, and everyone has to bring sentimental gifts.”
Her face dropped to her hands. “Sentimental gifts? What does that even mean for your friends?”
“I would hate to find out.” I laughed.
“Swear you’ll tell me if anything changes?” she asked, holding my gaze.
“Swear,” I said, hooking my pinky with hers, laughing.
“Pinky swears are real, Liam. Nothing to laugh about.”
Our food was delivered, and she raved about how amazing the burger was. I listened to her talk about school and work and her friendship with Gabby. I even helped her clean up when the pickles fell out of her burger and onto her shirt.
I loved this.
I loved listening to her.
I loved her laugh.
I loved… all of it.
Thirty
“Autumn?” Gabby said, knocking on my dorm room door. I slapped on my best confused face before opening the door. She was looking at me from behind her dark-rimmed glasses. Her hair was pulled into a bun and she wore leggings and a simple blue tee.
“Hey Gabby,” I said, holding the door open wide for her to pass through. She waltzed in, beaming with excitement. “Why are you so happy? It’s freaking me out.”
She laughed once. “It’s Thanksgiving break! Oh, and the boys want us to come over tonight. I thought we could get our hair and nails done. That sounds fun, right?”
I knew I had to go along with it. I simply shrugged my shoulders, trying to match her happiness. “Sure thing.”
I plucked a few items from my closet, throwing a hoodie on before grabbing a small side satchel. Checking my phone, I noticed I had a warning text from Liam. A little late, but sweet. And then everything Josie said came slamming into me like a ton of bricks.
As amazing as he may be, sometimes I had a nagging feeling I didn’t deserve this. Maybe I wasn’t good enough for him. Whatever my reason, be it that I was teased all my life or that we came from completely different families, I shoved it in the back of my mind. It was just my insecurities speaking. And they spoke loudly. Thanks a lot, Josie.
In the car Gabby was bubbly, telling me every detail of her magical relationship with Tyler. I nodded when needed, even smiling. But part of me wished I shared her confidence.
“You okay, Autumn?”
“Oh, yeah. Just the holidays will be weird this year, I guess,” I said, stumbling on any excuse I could to divert my thoughts. I felt vulnerable around Liam, not that he intentionally did it. I’d just never let my guard down around anyone, and that was what scared me.
“You can come to my place for Thanksgiving, you know.”
I nodded appreciatively. “I know. Thank you. I’ll probably catch up on schoolwork.”
“Are you sure that’s everything?” she asked, watching me quizzically. We pulled into a large shopping center and she navigated the parking lot, stopping short before a salon.
“I mean, I guess I’ve never really dated a guy, and things are moving fast. It’s scary, you know?”
She grabbed my hand. “I felt the exact same way when Tyler and I first became official. It’s better. Just give it time. And Autumn? You can always tell me anything.”
“Thanks Gabby.” She pulled me into an awkward hug across her console before hopping out of the car, giddy.
We walked into the dimly light salon, and I was shuffled to a station in the back by Gabby. The lady sitting across from me expertly went to work on my hands while I tried to relax. The truth was, I’d never done this in my life, and the rough way she was filing my nails gave me anxiety.
Gabby was picking out our colors when she sat down next to me, smiling. “Also, I have a little insider knowledge.” She wiggled her shoulders. “You never have to worry about how Liam feels about you. I hear the guys talk.”
I blushed deeply. “Thank you, Gabby. I mean it.”
“Relationships are scary, I get it.” She winked at me before turning to finish her manicure.
After hours in the salon, I was waxed, my hair was trimmed, and my hands and feet were silky smooth. My nail colors were a deep gray that Gabby swore by. I couldn’t lie to myself; I was into the color and the contrast against my creamy white skin.
Gabby handed her credit card before I could grab mine, paying for both of us. “I can’t let you do that,” I said. I knew Gabby was well off, but I wasn’t exactly hurting for cash now. It never felt right to let anyone pay for my stuff. It made me feel like a charity case.
“Just think of it as a birthday present.” She winked, and that earned her an eye-roll. “There’s something else.”
I sucked my bottom lip in, chewing as if I could solve the mystery with my teeth. She opened the back-passenger door to her car, pulling out a gorgeous black dress. “Okay, now we can party.”
“Wow,” I said, touching the silky fabric. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Say we’re going straight to my place, putting on our outfits, and surprising our guys.”
I laughed once. “Okay.”
Her phone rang, coming through the Bluetooth. It was Tyler. “Hey, babe,” he said.
“You’re on speaker!”
“Oh, right, um, how’s the girls’ day going?” he asked. If I didn’t know before, I knew now.
“Great. We’re going to my place to change and coming your way. Are you guys ready to see us?” I almost rolled my eyes at how forced their conversation sounded, but I secretly loved how much they were trying.
“I can’t wait, babe. Love you,” he said, and I sucked all the air in the car into my lungs.
“Love you, too,” she gushed before hanging up.
“Love?”
She squealed. “Yes! He told me last week!”
“Doesn’t that scare the shit out of you a little?”
“Autumn don’t be so cynical. When you know, you know.” She gave me a once-over and I wanted to ask what she meant, but I was also scared to find out.
The drive to her apartment was silent. I imagined she was planning her future with Tyler in her head, and I was trying to make two and two equal five. Liam. Liam Shafer. Handsome, popular, damaged in a way that made him nice, the golden boy. He was like a jock on a teenage soap opera who always ended up with one of the popular girls. We all rooted for him because he was good, but too good for someone like me. And he could love me. I could love him. And I was not even over-thinking it until…
“You’re making that face again. Spill,” Gabby said.
She tossed her small bag onto her couch, padding down the hall to her bedroom. I carried my dress in tow, ready to try it on.
“Josie isn’t coming tonight, right?”
“Eww,” she said, and I laughed out loud. “Why would you say that?”
Oh no. “Well, she’s just always lingering at the house.”
She grabbed my hands, looking me straight in the eyes. “That girl is not invited to hang out with us tonight.”
“She saw us together and freaked for some reason,” I finally admitted to her in the safety of her bedroom.
He eyes went wide and her mouth fell open. “What? Why?”
Shrugging, I looked to her. “Has anything happened between them? Has Tyler said anything?”
“No way! He’s always said no. I would tell you.”
“It’s just weird…the way she acts.”
She grabbed my hand, comforting me. “I wouldn’t put a lot of thought into it. Some girls are just possessive of guys they like, and she’s one of them. Nothing has ever happened, and nothing ever will.”
I nodded. “You’re right. I just get in my head sometimes.”
I tugged my hoodie off and kicked my jeans into the corner of her room. Unzipping the black dress, I shook it out in front of me, grinning before putting it
on. It fit like a glove. Hugging in all the right places, the neckline plunged low, and suddenly I was glad I didn’t need a bra.
“Oh my God, Autumn! He’s going to die when he sees you!”
I turned, taking in my appearance for the first time. My breath caught; she was right. Whoa. My auburn hair fell in loose curls almost to my waist. The black dress pulled all my best features and flaunted them in your face. To top it off, the red-bottom heels Gabby tossed in my direction were the icing on the cake.
“Holy shit.”
She giggled at my reaction, and that was the first time I noticed her in a flowy, but short red cocktail dress. Her tan skin popped against the contrast.
“We look amazing, if I do say so myself,” Gabby said in an unrecognizable Southern accent. “Come on!”
She tugged me down the hall and out of her apartment, giggling the entire way. I had never allowed myself to get so involved in material things like birthdays or appearances, but tonight that went out the window. Everything was changing tonight.
Thirty-One
“SURPRISE!”
I covered my mouth, hoping I wasn’t as bad an actor as I thought I was. Eight people filled the foyer, engulfed in balloons and tacky streamers. And there he stood, in the middle of it all. Walking toward him he pulled me into a hug, placing a soft kiss on my cheek.
“Happy birthday, babe,” he said.
“Oh my God, guys! You shouldn’t have!” My voice was an octave higher than normal and their faces immediately fell. Tyler popped the back of Liam’s head.
“You told her, you dick,” Tyler said as a chorus of booing began.
“Fucking whipped!”
He shrugged his broad shoulders. “I couldn’t keep it from her. She doesn’t like surprises,” he said, winking at me.
As if they could read our minds the music started, and everyone congregated in the living room. Liam grabbed my hand, pulling me to the kitchen. As soon as we were alone, his hands were all over me.
“I know I’ve seen every inch of you, but…damn.” He let out a low whistle and I smiled, loving what I was doing to him.
“This old thing? I wear it to sleep every night. You’ve never seen it?”
“Very funny.” His lips crashed into mine with need. Everything I felt before melted away. The weird thing about my insecurities was that it was only an asshole when I was alone. With Liam, he made me forget all my worries. “You look beautiful, Autumn. Seriously.”
“Thank you,” I said against his mouth, grinning as he pulled me closer.
A loud cough came from our right; reluctantly, I separated from him. It was Gabby, staring at me knowingly. “I know you guys have gone a whole five hours without having your tongues down each other’s throats, but there’s a party going on in here!”
“It’s your fault, Gabby. I mean, look at her.” He held his hands out dramatically. I swatted at them, embarrassed, before pulling him to the makeshift dance floor in the living room. Tyler handed me a drink and I tossed it back quickly as I swayed to the music.
Two hours and four drinks later, Tyler was sucking the helium from all my balloons while Gabby laughed. Smiling, I nuzzled my nose in Liam’s neck, swaying. At that point, that was all I could do. We looked like two middle schoolers, awkwardly attempting their first dance. I hugged him closer and he tightened his grip on me. Nothing else mattered. He was all I wanted.
“Okay, okay, before we get too drunk and forget gifts.”
“Too late. I’m drunk,” Tyler piped in, lying across the couch. Gabby picked up the closest pillow and chucked it at him. He laughed without moving.
Gabby handed me a small bag, grinning. “This is from me.”
I opened it, revealing a small box. Gasping, I pulled out the charm bracelet. Each charm was custom made. Our school logo, a coffee cup, and a tiny book. I wrapped my arms around her tiny frame.
“I love this!”
“I kind of wanted to do this alone, but Gabby said no.” Liam laughed nervously as he rubbed the back of his neck. I smiled appreciatively at him. My foggy mind was running a million miles an hour when I opened the small jewelry box. To my relief, it was a small locket with our pictures on each side.
My bottom lip poked out as I tried to refrain from emotion. Alcohol never helped. A tear fell down my cheek and he caught it, wiping it from my face. I was overwhelmed by the love I felt in this room tonight.
“I love it, Liam.” I placed a small kiss on his mouth. Surprisingly, he looked embarrassed, which was almost impossible for him.
“Did you losers actually think you could actually not invite me to a party?” And that voice changed everything. Josie wore a smug look on her face as she looked around the room, her eyes narrowed in on me.
“It’s actually not a party. This is for Autumn’s birthday.” Gabby managed to get the words out of her mouth with a lot of blinking and slurring.
“I heard. And I got her a gift. It has to be sentimental, right?”
I looked to Liam, noticing his hands were balled at his side, ready to drag her out at any moment.
“You need to leave,” he finally said through gritted teeth.
“Not before I give her this present. I went through a lot of trouble, Liam. Have some respect.”
She looked to the foyer. “James? She’s ready for her surprise.”
Reaching in her pocket, she grabbed a folded piece of paper. I watched in horror as she unfolded it, smirking at me. My face was smiling back at me on the poster. It read ‘Have you seen this girl?’
I grabbed Liam’s arm, holding on for support as a disgruntled middle-aged man came walking through the door. He wore a shirt with a pocket over his right chest, jeans, and a stark reminder that anywhere I went, he would always be there.
“Autumn?” Liam checked on me, concerned as my nails dug into his arm.
“Can you believe this poor man has been looking for you for months? You could have at least called, Autumn. I mean, at the very least not run off with every cent he had after half his family died.”
“What’s she talking about?” Gabby asked, looking at me.
“That’s my dad,” I said. An audible gasp could be heard around the room as everyone looked between us uncomfortably. Undoubtingly waiting for me to explain.
“Show’s over, Josie. Get the fuck out and don’t come back. You’re banned,” Liam said, and the guys around the room murmured in agreement. Although they had no idea what was going on, they knew she had crossed a line you never cross.
With all the strength and balance, I could muster I stormed to the kitchen, not wanting to give anyone a show. A few footsteps followed me, but I didn’t turn until I was out of earshot.
“What. Are. You. Doing. Here.” My teeth were clenched, and my blood was boiling.
“I was worried,” his raspy voice started.
“Bullshit! You just couldn’t stand the thought of me being happy somewhere. What, you could not find someone else to yell at? Knock around? So, you came halfway across the country to do it again?” I was screaming at this point, but I didn’t care who heard. Liam jogged into the room, coming to my side.
My dad huffed at me. “I don’t know what kind of twisted story you have in your head, but it didn’t happen like that.”
“IT DIDN’T HAPPEN LIKE THAT? You didn’t beat Mom and Kaleb daily? You didn’t start on me after the accident? Dad, Kaleb did that on purpose to get away from you! It was your fault!”
He had the nerve to laugh. “It was an accident. You’re lying about everything. Just like you always have.”
“I’m going to prove it. One day.”
“I don’t care what kind of fairytale you’ve cooked up in your head, I just came to get what’s mine.”
“Oh, that’s rich. What exactly is yours?” I crossed my arms, daring him to ask.
“All of that money belongs to me, Autumn…”
“The hell it does! Kaleb and Mom made me beneficiary. He even left me a note,” I said. Getting brave
r, I stepped closer to him. “They didn’t want your sorry, abusive, alcoholic ass anywhere near it.”
Liam stepped between us. “I think you need to leave.”
“Who the hell is this jackoff?” he asked, as if he’d finally noticed Liam. He took in his clean button-down, designer jeans and watch, and decided right there that he hated him.
“Liam Shafer. Autumn’s boyfriend. I would shake your hand, be respectful, get to know you, but I don’t appreciate how you’re talking to my girl. So, I’m asking you again to get the hell off this property.”
I watched my dad’s face change from red to purple as he contemplated what to say, but he was stuck. He wouldn’t stand up to another man. He only abused the people he knew would take it. And that wasn’t me, not anymore. I was out of his grasp.
“I don’t need this shit,” he huffed, storming from the kitchen. I counted his steps and waited before he shut the door to breathe.
Gabby came rushing in as Liam wrapped his arms around me. “Autumn? What was that?”
“Not now,” Liam said. I clung to him, afraid that if I let go my knees would give out and I’d hit the floor in a blubbering mess. “Baby? Are you okay?”
And it hit me. I looked around the room as our friends trailed in, looking on with concern. They were clueless. All but one.
“You…” I looked at Liam, stunned.
“What, Autumn? Tell me…”
I started backing away. I grabbed Gabby, pulling her in my direction. “You were the only one who knew.”
His face fell as reality crashed into him like a roaring wave. “No.” He shook his head.
“Was this a joke to you? Get me to tell you everything so you could report back to Josie?”
He took a step closer, holding up his arms. His eyes were full of terror. “I swear to God I didn’t tell her.”
“Then how did she know, Liam? I’m thousands of miles away from home! She didn’t just run into him! You were the only one… I trusted you.”
Hot tears were stinging the back of my eyes and I had no choice but to let them spill over. Ruining my makeup and leaving me looking like a racoon as I made my dramatic exit.
The Autumn Leaf Page 16