A muscle worked in his jaw. “Kelli left town. Early this morning.”
Now she understood his doubts. If Kelli wasn’t in town, she couldn’t have destroyed Autumn’s upholstery. But someone had. “I see.”
Jax nodded, a frown pulling down his mouth.
“So naturally you think I did it. To myself.”
His lips compressed into a straight line, then he said, “If it’s not Kelli, who else could it be?”
Livid that he’d leapt to such a ludicrous conclusion, Autumn shook her head, then she spun on her heel and marched to her room, closing the door behind her. She had no idea who it was. All she knew was that it wasn’t her.
It was time to go home. To her home.
How could she stay with someone who thought she was capable of doing something so outrageous? As much as it hurt, she knew it was time to move on.
She tossed her suitcase onto the bed, then she began emptying the dresser and closet, throwing all of her things inside the open suitcase.
A knock sounded on her door.
Shaking her head, she ignored it as she jammed the last of her things into her suitcase.
“Autumn, can I come in? I want to talk to you.”
“There’s nothing to talk about,” she called out.
Too angry to be sad, she set her suitcase on the floor before grabbing Sasha’s pet bed, then she gripped the handle on the suitcase and wheeled it to the door. Pausing a moment to prepare herself to face Jax, she sucked in a breath before slowly exhaling, then she yanked the door open. Refusing to look at him, she squeezed past him and made her way to the family room.
Sasha had finished eating and came to Autumn’s side. With her hands full, Autumn couldn’t gather the rest of Sasha’s things, so she headed right to the front door.
“Autumn, wait.”
Ignoring him, she wheeled her suitcase out the door and straight toward her car. The sun was setting and the sky was filled with streaks of orange and lavender.
Jax jogged past her, then he turned and faced her, walking backwards as she kept moving.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
Refusing to look at him, she said, “Home. Where else?”
Jax was torn. On the one hand, he was kind of glad she’d decided to leave. After all, if she was delusional, he didn’t want her in his life. On the other hand, if her goal had been to get attention from him, to move in with him, then why was she leaving? It didn’t make sense. Was it possible that he was wrong about her? Maybe he needed to convince her to stay.
Unless that was her plan. To pretend to leave so he would beg her to stay. If that was the case, she was way better at this game than he was.
No, he needed to let this play out. He needed to call her bluff.
“Do you think you’ll be safe there?” Of course she would—if she was doing these things herself. But he needed to act worried, needed to play along.
“I can take care of myself.” She glared at him. “Besides, I’m not your problem.”
What? No acting afraid to be on her own, or to be back at the place where the phantom tormentor had been? Huh. Did that mean she really wasn’t afraid? Did that confirm that she was the one behind it all along?
Not sure what to believe, he watched as she loaded the pet bed and suitcase into her car, then went back into his house to get Sasha’s food and bowls. Moments later she marched from the house back to her car, walking past him as if he wasn’t there. She opened the rear door for Sasha, set the food inside, then walked around to the driver’s side. She opened her door, her gaze going to the destroyed upholstery. Her face paled and her body tensed, then with a resolute expression, she slid inside.
Watching her every move, a myriad of emotions flooded Jax. She wasn’t acting the way someone playing a game would act. She seemed genuinely distressed by what had happened to her car.
Was it all for show? If so, she should have been an actress, not a hairdresser.
But what if it wasn’t for show? What if he was misjudging her? What if she really was in danger?
That was ridiculous. How could she be in danger when she was the one behind the incidents?
She started her engine, and as he pictured her sweet face and her sparkling green eyes, thought about the way he felt so at ease with her—that he had fallen in love with her—he knew that if something were to happen to her, he’d never be able to forgive himself.
She backed up and turned her car around to face the gate, then she lowered the driver’s side window, which was only a few feet from where he stood.
Thinking she was going to say something, maybe tell him she’d changed her mind, that she wanted to stay, Jax was surprised to feel his heart lift with hope.
Instead, she tossed the key to his house on the ground at his feet before pressing the gas and driving toward the gate. Moments later she was gone.
Jax stared after her, already regretting letting her go.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Autumn was livid. How could Jax possibly think she would do all these things to herself? As if she was some kind of attention-seeking, celebrity-stalking groupie. Did he think she was insane?
Clearly, he did.
Well, she didn’t need someone like him in her life, doubting everything about her, doubting everything she said. She could live without him. Even if she was in love with him.
Hot tears flooded her eyes and she angrily wiped them away.
When she pulled into her driveway, a sense of home swept over her. This was where she belonged. This was where she could be herself, where she could feel comfortable. This was where she needed to be.
“We’re home, sweet girl,” she said to Sasha, who was eagerly panting in the back seat. “You know we’re home, don’t you, girl?”
Autumn got out and opened the rear door. Sasha bounded out and ran around on the grass, stopping to mark her territory.
Laughing despite her tears, Autumn got her suitcase and wheeled it to the porch before inserting her key in the lock and opening the front door. Pausing on the threshold, she looked inside. Everything was as she’d left it.
Exhaling in relief, she brought her suitcase inside, turned on the lights, then carried in Sasha’s things. After they were safely inside, she did a sweep of the entire house to make sure nothing had happened while she’d been gone, dropping her suitcase off in her room. Nothing was out of place. In fact, the glass cleaner and paper towels were on the bathroom counter where she’d left them. She stared at the message as a chill passed through her, then, gritting her teeth in determination, she scrubbed the message off of the glass before settling on the couch and trying to decide what to do next.
She knew she should report the vandalism to the police, but the way Officer Riley had questioned her about the message on the mirror made her hesitate to report this latest offense. If Jax didn’t believe her, why would the police?
Frustrated and upset, she let the tears come. What she needed was something to take her mind off her troubles. Too bad she was all alone.
Tucking her feet under her, she rested her head against the back of the couch and stared at the ceiling, her mind filling with memories of the times she’d spent with Jax. They’d had so much fun together, had fit so well together. Why was he doubting her now? Why?
But she knew why. He didn’t know her. Not really. Maybe he’d had run-ins with other women who were not quite right in the head, women who made him doubt everyone he met. Maybe she should try to convince him she wasn’t like that. But would it do any good, or had he already made up his mind?
Shaking her head in despair, Autumn didn’t know what to do. All of these arguments were making a headache blossom on her forehead.
The doorbell rang.
Heart bursting with hope that it was Jax coming to apologize and beg for her to return, Autumn leapt from the couch and crossed the room to the door, flinging it open.
It wasn’t Jax.
“Natalie,” she said when she saw her friend—w
ell, Mitch’s friend—who was holding a plate of cookies. Forcing a smile to hide her disappointment, Autumn opened the door wider. “Come in.”
“Thanks.”
Sasha sniffed Natalie’s legs and Natalie scratched her head.
Autumn shooed Sasha away as she closed the front door. “What brings you over?”
Natalie smiled warmly. “I was baking cookies and I, well, I thought about you and just felt like I should come say hello. See how you’re doing.”
Touched, Autumn pulled Natalie in for a hug. Natalie stiffened, so Autumn released her. “Thank you. That’s so sweet.”
Natalie held out the plate. “I know you’re into baking and everything, so these probably aren’t as good as what you’d make, but…”
Autumn shook her head. “Stop. I’m sure they’re fabulous. Anyway, it’s the thought that means the most.” Autumn set the plate on the coffee table, then motioned to the couch. “Do you wanna sit?”
Natalie nodded. “Sure.”
They sat on opposite ends of the couch.
“So,” Autumn asked. “What’s new?”
“Not much. Just keeping busy with work. You know how that goes.”
It felt good to talk to someone who knew nothing about the weirdness that had been happening. It felt normal. “Oh yeah. The salon’s been crazy busy lately.”
“That’s good though, right?”
“Definitely.”
Natalie smiled as her eyes twinkled. “Hey, when you cut my hair last week you said something about meeting someone. What’s going on with that?”
The mention of Jax sent a jolt of pain right to Autumn’s chest. She didn’t want to think about him, let alone talk about him. Waving her hand in the air like that was all a misunderstanding, Autumn said, “Yeah, that didn’t work out.” Then she had to bite her lip to keep from bursting into tears.
“Really? You seemed so excited about him. He plays for the Vipers, right?”
Did they really need to talk about this? “Yeah. But I…I don’t want to talk about him right now.”
“Oh. All right.” Natalie grimaced. “Sorry.”
“No. That’s okay. I just…I’m…” She shook her head. “I just need to think about something else.”
“I get it. I do.” Natalie’s face lit up. “In fact, I have an idea.”
Anything to get her mind off of Jax. “What?”
Natalie straightened. “Let’s go out. It’s Friday night. Let’s go to, I don’t know. A comedy club or something.”
To Autumn’s surprise, she thought that was a great idea. “That sounds like fun.”
“Right? That’s what you need. A good laugh.”
“Totally.”
Natalie stood. “I know just the place.”
Autumn stood as well. “That’s good, because I’ve never been to a comedy club, so I have no idea where to go.”
“Leave it to me.”
Her evening had just gone from depressing to exciting. “Thank you, Natalie.”
Natalie turned to her with a smile. “That’s what I’m here for.”
“Let me just put these cookies on the kitchen counter so Sasha doesn’t eat them while we’re gone.” After she set them far enough back on the counter that Sasha would leave them alone, Autumn grabbed her purse and followed Natalie out the front door.
“If it’s okay,” Natalie said. “I’ll drive.”
The streetlamps had come on, casting shadows onto her yard. Autumn glanced toward her car parked in the carport. The last thing she needed was to see her trashed upholstery. “Sounds good.”
Moments later they were on the road.
After they’d driven several miles, Natalie gasped. “Oh my gosh. I left my wallet at home. I need to get my ID.” She smiled apologetically at Autumn. “It won’t take long to swing by and get it.”
Autumn wasn’t in a hurry. She was just glad to have somewhere to go. Somewhere that had nothing to do with Jax. “That’s okay.”
Ten minutes later they pulled into the driveway of a modest house in a quiet neighborhood.
Natalie turned to Autumn. “I’ll just run in…” Then her eyes widened. “Hey! There’s something I want to show you. Can you come in real quick?”
“Yeah.”
Natalie smiled. “Great!”
Autumn followed her to the front door and moments later they were inside. Natalie pointed to the kitchen counter where a red wallet sat and laughed. “There it is.” She picked it up and tucked it in her purse, then she slung her purse over her shoulder. She turned to Autumn. “Follow me.”
Autumn walked behind her and a moment later she stopped next to a closed door.
Natalie turned to Autumn with a grin. “I know you’ll appreciate this.”
Autumn watched as Natalie turned the knob, pushed the door inward, and flipped on the light.
“Go on in,” Natalie said.
Curious, Autumn stepped across the threshold, but the moment she saw what was on the walls, she froze.
Blown-up images of Mitch were everywhere along with print-outs of articles about the accident that killed him and articles about the trial. In addition, there were all kinds of quotes written in marker including the name of the author of the quote. Things like Do you not know that a man is not dead while his name is still spoken? Terry Pratchett and To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die. Thomas Campbell and Make the most of your regrets; never smother your sorrow, but tend and cherish it ’til it comes to have a separate and integral interest. Henry David Thoreau.
Stunned, Autumn turned to question Natalie, but before she turned all the way around, Natalie shoved her and Autumn tumbled to the floor. Scrambling to her feet, Autumn suddenly knew who had been tormenting her.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Wanting to flee, Autumn stood and faced Natalie, who blocked the doorway. Eight feet separated them, but Autumn was confident she could get past Natalie and run outside to find help. That is, until Natalie pulled a gun from her purse and pointed it at Autumn.
“Put that away,” Autumn said, her voice shaking with fear.
Natalie cracked a smile and held the gun steady. “I don’t think so.” Then Natalie motioned with her chin toward Autumn’s purse. “Toss that over here.”
“Why are you doing this? What do you want?”
“Do it. Now.”
Autumn tossed her purse toward Natalie, who used her foot to drag it into the hallway, then Natalie cocked her head as her smile twisted into a frown. “You never appreciated him. Did you?”
“Mitch?”
“Don’t say his name!” Natalie screamed, then her voice dropped to a near whisper. “Don’t ever say his name.”
Terrified that Natalie was completely unhinged, Autumn clamped her lips shut.
Natalie shook her head. “You didn’t deserve him. He was too good for you.” Tears filled her eyes. “He was too good for this world.” Natalie took one step into the room, her gaze boring into Autumn. “Did you appreciate him? Huh? Did you?” Her voice rose on each question. “Answer me!”
“Yes,” Autumn said as she began to tremble. “Yes, I did. I loved him. He was my husband.” She didn’t want to agitate Natalie, but these questions were absurd. “Let me go, Natalie. He…he would want you to.”
“No.” Her head swung from side to side. “No. He wouldn’t.” Natalie stayed where she was, keeping a large swath of space between them. “But do you know what he wouldn’t want? He wouldn’t want you to forget about him already, to date some football player. Someone who was friends with the man who killed him.” Natalie’s forehead scrunched. “How could you?”
How could she get out of this? Could Natalie be reasoned with? “I told you earlier, Jax and I are done.”
“Jax.” The word was lace with derision. “Did he see right through you? See how you have no loyalty?”
Desperate, Autumn held up her hands. “I just…I missed Mit—” She caught herself before saying his name. “I’m not ready to move on.” S
he lowered her gaze. “I don’t know if I ever will be.” She hoped Natalie wouldn’t see through her lie.
“Really?” Sarcasm dripped from each syllable. “Then why did you seem so sad that things are over between you and…” Her lips curled. “Jax.”
Autumn turned to one of the huge pictures of Mitch and placed her hand on his face. “I just…I miss him so much.” And she did. She really did. But at that moment she was putting on a show. For Natalie’s sake. “I’ll never stop missing him.” Slowly, she swiveled her head toward Natalie. “He was the love of my life.”
“No! No, he was the love of my life. And now he’s gone. And now I’ll always be alone.”
Autumn’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean, he was the love of your life?” Had Mitch been cheating on her? With Natalie? The thought made her sick.
“I loved him from the moment I met him.” Natalie’s voice had become wistful as her eyes got a faraway look in them. “And I know he loved me. He just couldn’t tell me.”
Oh. So he didn’t cheat. Relief, sharp and sweet, rushed through her.
“What do you want from me?” Autumn asked.
Natalie’s gaze shot back to her. “I want you to stay in this room and think about Mitch. It’s not fair that you had him when he was alive, and now that he’s dead you’re moving on while I’m stuck here…” Her voice became choked. “I’m stuck here, all by myself. My heart is broken and it will never mend.” She gritted her teeth. “It’s. Not. Fair.”
Maybe she could reason with her, maybe she could convince her that there was hope. At least to the point that she would let her go.
“That’s not how it has to be,” Autumn said, her voice pleading. “You’re a wonderful person, Natalie.” The words nearly stuck in her throat. “You’ll find your true love. Don’t give up.”
Natalie seemed to think about that for a moment as her hands sagged a bit and the gun lowered. Then she snapped the gun back into place, pointing right at Autumn.
“I did find my true love,” she said, then she glanced at the pictures on the wall. “But now he’s dead!” Gesturing with the gun toward the carpeted floor, Natalie scowled. “You’re going to stay in this room and think about Mitch until…” She clenched her jaw.
Pass Interference (Fair Catch Series, Book Four) Page 18