Page 17 of Autumn Falls
“Exactly, so Caroline and Carter can have their happily ever after with their baby.”
“Baby?” he scoffs.
“Yeah, you didn’t know she’s pregnant?” He hangs around our mayor, so I’m surprised he’s not in the loop.
“How did you find out about it? I thought you weren’t friends with her.”
“Come on, this town talks and so does a drunk Carter. So the whole town knows about it. He might not be happy about it, but Carter’s going to take care of it, I’m sure. Despite being a cheating bastard, he will do the right thing.” He scowls.
“Are you jealous?” I press my hand on his chest and stare up at him as we stand in the middle of the orchard.
“No,” he answers. I shrugged my shoulders. Could this big, handsome brute really be jealous when I gave him my virginity?
“Okay,” I say, turning back to the road and walking toward the house and he walks beside me. “So we’re here.”
“Thanks for tonight. I’m sorry I couldn’t stay.”
“Soon, you’ll be staying every single night,” he promises. “Let’s make it a date for tomorrow as well.”
“I’d like that, Owen.” I step up on my toes and kiss his lips. Our mouths miss and I connect with his jaw. He chuckles and tips my chin, bringing our lips together. The feel of his mouth on mine is nothing like I’ve ever felt before and I nearly melt, but he swiftly wraps his arms around me, holding me up and I cling to him tightly. He carries me away from my front door and off to the side where we kiss deeply. My hands lace into his hair, spearing it and wanting to feel him closer.
“Autumn, are you home?” Noelle shouts from the porch. Owen and I quickly break apart, and I step back and lightly brush my lips. I’m going to kick her ass. He gives a chuckle.
“We’re back.”
“Yeah, I was wondering how long it was going to take. Dad was hoping he didn’t have to send out a hunting party.”
“Whatever, I bet dad is already in bed.”
“He is, but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t have come looking for you.” I roll my eyes, but she’s right. I’m rushing this with Owen and so is he.
“It’s been great, Owen, but I should head in.”
“You should before I take you back to my little apartment in town or back to our future home. I have a busy morning, but I’ll be calling you tomorrow morning, anyway.” He leans in and kisses my cheek before turning back and walking the way he came. He left his car by the house he’s building.
Noelle leads me back into the house and smiles. “God, you two were going at it. I almost had to pull out the hose on you.” I’m glad it’s cold out or she’d see how red her words really made me. She has no idea how we really went at it, like wild animals.
“It would have been funny if it wasn’t getting so cold. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m kind of tired, so I’m headed to bed.” I move past my sister and head upstairs to my room and ignore her teasing because that’s all she’s going to do.
****
The next morning comes, and I miss Owen. I want to talk about yesterday. I feel like we argued about nothing, and I should have stayed with him instead of running off like a silly little girl. He’s clearly upset about Carter, which is understandable since my relationship ended recently and he’slike in our face on a daily basis, but I know there’s more. Something isn’t right between us, and we need to talk. Maybe it’s because we’re rushing everything.
I call his cell first thing in the morning and a woman answers. “Well, good morning, Autumn. Is there someone you’re looking for?” Caroline coos on the other end of the line, adding a yawn at the tail of her words.
“What the hell?” Owen roars. “Get the fuck out of here before I have you arrested,” he snarls.
“You’re a pussy and you’re not going to do anything.”
“Autumn, I’ll call you back.”
The call goes dead, and I slump on my bed, feeling completely overwhelmed. What am I supposed to think?
I decided to get dressed because no matter what happens, there are things to do. My phone rings and I think it’s Owen calling me back, so I pick up without looking, but it’s not him. “Hello, Autumn?”
“Yes, it’s me.”
“This is Tara at the pharmacy. Your dad’s meds are ready for pick up.”