“Is that you, Chains?” A high-pitched giggle. “This is Sheila. How are you?”
He rolled his eyes. “Good. Is the doc still there?”
“No, she just left about ten minutes ago. Is Thor not feeling well? I can get Dr. Jenkins on the phone.”
“Thor’s fine, but I had a question. I’ll call back tomorrow.”
“Are you free tonight? I made a huge pot of chili last night that’ll take me forever to get through. The kids think it’s too hot.” Another giggle.
“Thanks, but I’ve got something going on at the clubhouse. One of the members is calling me now.”
“Oh …” Disappointment weaved through her voice. “Maybe tomorrow night?”
Chains tilted his head from side-to-side, cracking his neck. “That won’t work either. Actually, Sheila, I’m not into dating right now.”
“Dating”—she laughed a bit too loud and long—“who said anything about that? I thought we could be friends.”
“I’m not friends with chicks.” That was the truth. The whole notion of a man and woman hanging together without having sex was foreign to him.
“Why not? That’s ridiculous.” Sheila huffed.
“That’s just the way it is. I gotta go. I’ll see you around.” Chains slipped the phone into his jeans pocket, then picked up the keys on the dresser. “I shouldn’t be doing this shit at all,” he said as he walked out of the room. But there was no way he could let Bret hurt Autumn any worse than he already was. Chains wasn’t sure if Bret was just bluffing, but he didn’t want to take the chance with her feelings, so he petted Thor, high-fived the members in the club, and strode out into the chilly fall air.
Brushstrokes of pomegranate pink and sherbet orange painted the fading blue sky. In the distance, the mountain peaks turned a shimmering gold in the light of the setting sun. Chains straddled his motorcycle, then slowly rode toward the old highway.
By the time he’d arrived in town, the colors streaking the sky earlier had disappeared into the dark ashes of nightfall. Chains took his time getting to Morning Glory Circle, half hoping Autumn wouldn’t be at her house.
He took a right and cruised down the street as he looked for her address. The cul-de-sac was quiet except for an occasional car pulling into a garage. The homes and yards were well-kept, and several oak and maple trees dotted the neighborhood. Lights glowed in the windows, and in a nearby house, he could see a man seated in a chair near the fire, reading what looked to be a magazine.
Chains stopped in front of a two-story white stucco home with a red barrel-tiled roof and dark shutters on its windows. There was a large porch across the front, and he craned his neck to read the address: 14225. He killed the engine and hopped off the bike, then walked up the sidewalk. Yellow light from inside glowed against the lawn. He pushed the doorbell and leaned against the wall as he waited for Autumn to answer. She didn’t come. He tried again. For a few minutes he stood on the porch and stared at the stars visible through the almost bare branches of the weeping willow tree on Autumn’s front lawn.
A chilly breeze picked up, and the rustling of the leaves on the branches sounded like whispers in the night. Chains zipped up his leather jacket, and as he started to walk down the porch steps, a pair of headlights flashed across the front lawn. A car turned into the driveway, and the sound of the garage door opening had him sprinting toward it.
He walked inside just before the door began to close and watched Autumn slide out of the car carrying two bags of groceries. She hadn’t noticed Chains standing in the shadowed corner, and he stuffed his hands into his jacket pockets and slowly approached her.
“Autumn,” he said in a low voice, not wanting to freak her out.
She whirled around, and her eyes widened as her face paled. “Who is that?” she asked, a slight tremor in her voice.
“Chains.”
“Chains? You scared the hell out of me.” A nervous laugh reverberated around the garage, bouncing off the concrete walls.
“Sorry. I was on the front porch and then saw you pull in. You didn’t see my bike parked in front of the house?” He offered her a weak smile.
“No, I didn’t. I’ve got so much on my mind that I’m pretty much zoned out after work. It’s freezing in here, let’s go inside.”
Chains followed her and found himself in a bright kitchen with white cupboards, gray and charcoal granite countertops, and graphite slatted blinds. He stood off to the side, watching Autumn put the two canvas bags filled with groceries on the island before bending down and picking up a bluish-gray cat.
His gaze languidly ran over her body, admiring the way her tight skirt hugged her hips and her snug top molded over her breasts. A hint of cleavage had him wanting to lick all the way from her neck to her pussy with a few stops along the way.
“Why’re you here?” Autumn said, her voice slicing through his thoughts.
He glanced up at her face and noticed she was flushed, and the fine line between her brows had deepened a bit.
“I need to talk to you.”
She petted her cat for a second or two before gazing back at Chains. “About what? And how do you know where I live?”
“Can we sit down?” he asked, ignoring her questions.
“I have to feed my cat and put the groceries away.” Autumn placed the cat down on the floor, then gestured to one of the chairs in the family room. “Have a seat.”
“Okay, I’ll wait for you to finish.”
He settled on the multi-colored couch that had a Native American pattern running through the fabric. A large stone fireplace was the focal point in the room, and two cushy chairs in a solid rust fabric sat on either side of the couch. A flat screen TV hung over the fireplace, and books, framed photographs, and knick-knacks filled two built-in bookshelves that were on either side of it.
“You got a nice place here.” Chains stretched out his legs.
“Thanks. I still don’t know what you’re doing here.”
He heard cupboards opening and closing behind him.
“Come on in here when you’re done putting stuff away and I’ll tell you.” He blew out a breath, and his muscles tightened in anticipation of the news he was about to divulge. After I’m done here, I’m gonna find Bret and kick his ass real good. Stupid sonofabitch.
“Do you want something to drink?”
“You got any beer?” A bit of booze will make this go a lot easier.
“No beer—I don’t drink the stuff. I do have tequila and vodka. Will either of those work?”
“Tequila straight is good.”
A few seconds later, Autumn handed him a tumbler, then went over to the fireplace and flipped a switch. Tall orange-yellow flames danced and flickered around logs that looked like the real thing, replete with glowing red embers. A mix of warm air and radiant heat filled the room.
“That’s better.” She crossed the area and sank down into one of the cushy chairs. “You can’t beat the ease of a fire that lights with a flick of a switch. No clean-up either,” she said with a smile.
“It’s cool.” He threw back the clear drink, then ran his index finger up and down the side of the glass.
“So, what did you want to tell me?”
“I need to talk to you about Bret.” His voice came out gruffer than he’d intended.
Autumn clutched the base of her throat. “Is he all right? He got in a bad car accident, didn’t he? That’s why I haven’t heard from him. Oh, God … He’s in the hospital, right? Or is he—”
“It’s not that … Bret’s fine.” His brother hadn’t mentioned he was out of town, and that fact pissed Chains off even more.
“That’s a relief.” She settled back in the chair. “So what is it?”
Chains pulled his legs up and leaned forward slightly, his gaze fixed on hers.
“You’re making me nervous. Just tell me.” She stared down at her hands, fidgeting in her lap.
“Autumn, Bret’s …” Chains looked away. Fuck!
“Bret’s what?” she whispered.
He clenched his jaw and locked eyes with hers. “The fucker’s breaking off the engagement. He doesn’t want to get married. The sonofabitch didn’t have the balls to tell you himself, so he called and asked me.” Chains shook his head. “If it’s any consolation, I’m gonna beat the shit outta him for doing this to you when he gets back in town.”
“Is this for real?” Autumn whispered. Her hands were clasped together so tightly that her knuckles had turned white.
“I wish it weren’t, but … yeah, that’s what he said.” Chains scrubbed his jaw. “I’m sorry my brother’s such a fuckin’ asshole.”
“I can’t believe it,” she mumbled. “Why would he do this to me? I mean, things have been tense between us for the last few months or so, but to call off the wedding? I was feeling stressed about the wedding too, but to call it off … and like this? It’s awful.” A ragged sob escaped and she lowered her head, her shoulders shaking slightly.
He sat watching, her soft sobs tearing through him. Chains rose to his feet and came over to her. “Fuck, Autumn, don’t cry.” He reached out and gripped one of her arms. “The asshole doesn’t deserve you. Come here.” Chains pulled her up from the chair and she fell against him as he wrapped his arms around her.
“Why would he do this?” she mumbled over and over.
Chains didn’t say anything; instead, he stroked her hair and held her close, breathing in the scent of her perfume. She was so soft, so beautiful, and she fit perfectly in his arms. A warm hand reached up and touched the side of his face. He tilted his head back and his gaze moved to hers as he felt an unexpected jolt of need and desire roll over him. Instinctively, Chains dropped his arms and stepped back.
Autumn turned away, her cheeks blooming, and she plucked out a tissue from a box on the corner of the coffee table and wiped her damp face.
“I’m okay now.” She sighed loudly and smoothed her hair back. “I’m sorry for getting so upset.”
“You don’t need to apologize.” Chains stood rooted to the spot. “Do you want me to get you anything, like a drink or something?”
A weak smile. “I could use a shot or two of vodka, but I’ll get it myself.”
“No way. Sit down and I’ll bring it to you. Where do you keep the bottle?” He was glad to be doing something; he needed to distance himself from the situation and from her.
“Top cupboard to the left of the fridge.”
“Got it.”
Chains bounded into the kitchen and went straight to the cabinet. After he had the bottle in hand, he looked around for a glass. He glanced over at Autumn, who was now sitting on the couch and hugging her cat. Chains spotted the tequila on the counter and poured a couple of shots in a tumbler, then he brought both glasses into the family room. There was no way he could just take off now; if he did, he’d be no better than his selfish-ass brother.
“Here you go,” Chains handed Autumn her drink.
“Thanks. Sit over here,” she said patting the couch.
He plopped down, then brought the tumbler to his lips and took a big sip.
“I guess I’m not really surprised that Bret’s called off the wedding,” she said, her voice trembling on the words the wedding. “We weren’t getting along all that well, and he always seemed so preoccupied. I guess he just got tired of me.” Autumn shrugged, then took a drink of vodka.
“My brother’s always been the restless type—changing jobs, cars, and apartments all the time.” He drained his glass. The last thing he wanted was to have Autumn start crying again; he wouldn’t be able to stand it. A woman crying made him go all soft and twisted inside.
“Then, I guess he wants to trade me in for a new model.” There was a small hitch in her voice.
“He’s an asshole.”
“Bret’s been less attentive lately so I knew something was up, even though he kept denying it. My friend Sadie kept telling me I was just having pre-wedding jitters.” She shook her head. “I knew in my gut something wasn’t right. Do you think he wants to go back to his ex-girlfriend. I’m pretty sure her mother’s trying to get them back together. Barbara—that’s her mom. She’s a total bitch, and Bret insisted that I have her at the kitchen shower. Can you believe that? And he wanted her and the ex-girlfriend at the wedding. Isn’t that insane? How stupid I’ve been.” Autumn breathed in deeply and let it out slowly. “Do you know Barbara and her daughter, Teresa? Do you think Bret wants to go back to her?”
Chains shifted uneasily in his seat; he didn’t go for talking about women’s feelings and other stuff. It seemed that few men could grasp what women really wanted them to say, and getting involved with all that was like walking in a field full of landmines.
“I don’t know much about Bret’s life. I haven’t been around the day-to-day family shit for about fourteen years.”
“So you don’t know Barbara or Teresa?” Desperation flashed across her face.
“No, I don’t. Uh … do you have a friend you can call to be here with you?”
Her jaw slackened and she looked away. “I’m sorry. I’m putting you in the middle of all this—Bret’s your brother, after all.”
He jerked his head back. “I’m more concerned about you than him. What he did to you is unforgivable. It’s just that I think you need a girlfriend to talk to about all this.”
Autumn took another sip of her drink. “I can call Sadie.”
“Will she be able to come over? You probably don’t want to be alone tonight.”
“I’m sure she can.” A faraway look came into her eyes. “I just don’t have luck with men. Bret’s the second guy who dumped me before the wedding.”
Chains raised his eyebrows slightly. “No shit.”
A small, dry laugh. “Yeah … pretty pathetic, huh? I found my ex-fiancé, or should I now say my ex-ex-fiancé, banging a friend of mine. And now Bret … This is all such a fucking pathetic joke. Why do men keep leaving me? What the fuck’s wrong with me?” She sank her fist into the cushion.
“It’s not you, it’s them—they were both assholes. You just haven’t found the right one yet.”
She reached out and touched his hand. “Thanks for that. Why haven’t you gotten married?”
His muscles stiffened. “I was once, but it didn’t work out.”
Autumn’s eyes widened. “That’s a surprise. Bret told me he was the first one to get married in the family.”
“He’s not only an asshole, but he lies a helluva lot. I know you don’t feel this way now, but you’re lucky you’re not getting hitched to him. You would’ve had a shitty life.”
“It’s just that I thought I was finally settled with a nice guy. All this wedding planning has consumed me for more than four months. What am I going to tell people?”
“That you and asshole have called off the wedding. It’s better like this than to go through a divorce.” Chains rose to his feet. “You want another vodka? I’m gonna have some more tequila.”
Nodding, she replied, “Half of what you poured me before. Do you want to eat something? I’m starving. I’ve been trying to be real good about carbs and such because Bret thought I needed to lose a few pounds, but I’m famished.”
Chains looked over his shoulder at her. “You don’t need to lose anything. My brother’s an idiot.”
“Thanks. See, you are good with this woman stuff.”
“I could go for a pizza, or whatever else you want.”
“I’m craving cheesy enchiladas and a shredded beef burrito and a full order of sopapillas with a scoop of ice cream.”
Chains laughed as he poured the drinks. “Sounds good. You want me to pick it up?”
“I can order through Door Delivery. Have you used their service?”
“Nah. No one comes to the clubhouse to deliver shit except for the mail.”
“Are you sure you’re good with staying? I mean, you don’t have to babysit me.”
He walked back over to the couch and put the drinks down on the
table. “I’m good with it. I’m just really pissed off at my brother, and I don’t want you to be alone.”
“I’ll call Sadie to come over later. I know she’s working late tonight.”
“I’ll stay until she comes,” he said.
“You don’t have to. I’ll be okay, really,” she replied.
“Let’s see how it goes after we eat.”
Chains stared at the fire as she placed the order online. Autumn was too close to him and she smelled way too good, and he had to remember that she was in a very vulnerable position. His jerk brother had just broken this wonderful woman’s heart, so if Chains showed her any attention, she’d probably do something she’d regret the following day. Even though Autumn had been engaged to Bret, Chains knew she was attracted to him, and there was no denying that he was damn captivated by her. He should just leave, and under normal circumstances he would, but Chains didn’t want her to be alone because that’s when dark thoughts crept in and loneliness became pervasive.
After the divorce, recriminations and raw emotions had swallowed up Chains, leaving him with nothing but bitterness and anger. He knew only too well what demons lurked in the still and shadowed corners of the mind long after the heart was shattered.
“Done.” Autumn put down the phone, her voice pulling him from the recollections of the past.
Chains looked up at her. “When’s the food coming?”
“In about thirty minutes or so. Is that okay?”
He nodded. “Look, I know this shit hurts, and it’s gonna for a while, but I hope you don’t spend too long crying over Bret—he just isn’t worth it. People like him do their damage and then move on without a backward glance. They don’t care about the heartbreak they’ve caused.”
“Are you speaking from experience?” she whispered.
“Yeah. You don’t want this to eat you up inside.” He walked back into the kitchen and poured another drink. “You want another one?”
“I’m done with the vodka, but I’ll have a glass of red wine when our dinner comes. How long did it take you to get over your divorce?”
Chains paused, then picked up the bottle and glass and sauntered back to the couch. “Too fuckin’ long. The whole time I was filled with hate and anger, my ex was living her life, not giving a shit about the chaos she left behind. I was a fuckin’ fool.”
Chains Page 11
