by Jenn Cowan
I freeze, unsure what’s happening. Is Travis going to kiss me?
4
“Am I interrupting something?”
I step back and jerk my hand away from his then gaze up at an furious Allison.
Her face is bright red with her fists in a ball at her sides and she’s glaring daggers at Travis.
“Allison-,” Travis starts, but she cuts him off.
“Now that Josh is gone, there’s nothing standing in your way, is there, Travis?”
I gasp as her words slice through my heart like she took a knife to it. Josh isn’t gone. Travis and I are friends. Period. I love Josh. He’s alive. Allison told me to keep believing so I am. How can she say something like this to me? My throat tightens with emotion and I can’t choke out the words.
“That’s enough, Allison,” Travis hisses and stands in front of me as if to protect me from her words.
Allison ignores him. “You still love her,” her voice raises an octave higher as if she’s fighting back her own emotions. “I’ve let it slide the few times you’ve called me Autumn when we were kissing. Chalking it up to you worrying about her with Josh missing and all, but now, I know it’s not the case. You love her and I will never be enough for you. Always playing second fiddle to the perfect Autumn Fisher.”
“I said, that’s enough, Allison,” Travis growls.
I blink, unsure of what is happening and trying to wrap my mind around what Allison’s saying. Travis is still in love with me? There’s no way. He’s in love with Allison. He has a ring. “Allison, Travis loves you. He’s going to propose,” I blurt out.
Everyone freezes and stares at me.
“Is-Is that true?” Allison inquires, once she’s over her shock.
Travis rubs the back of his neck and nods.
She throws herself into his arms and begins to cry what I hope are happy tears.
I move around them, refusing to meet Travis’s intense glare. How do I know he’s glaring? I can feel it. My skin prickles as I make my way to the breakroom. This calls for some chamomile tea. I need a clear head to help Cat and avoid Travis. I know he’s going to make me pay for ruining his surprise, but Allison was two seconds away from breaking up with him so he really should be thanking me.
“Autumn? Is my dad gone?” Cat sniffles and peeks out from the bathroom door.
“He and Allison are having a moment.”
Cat quirks an eyebrow. “Everything okay?”
I nod. “It will be. Tea?”
She grins and follows me into the break room.
We work in companionable silence preparing the tea. The soothing aroma of chamomile calms my nerves and I’m beginning to feel like myself again.
“We should probably get back up front in case someone comes in.” Cat moves toward the door.
I touch her arm to stop her. “I’ll go up front. I want you to sit back here and make a list of anyone in school who you think could be doing this to you. Anyone with funds to buy burner phones, although I still think we should have your dad run the numbers in case they aren’t burner phones.”
Cat shakes her head. “I don’t want to worry him. He has enough on his plate. He’s already worrying about me because of my mom.”
“Cat, your dad loves you. It’s his job to worry about you.”
She smiles. “I know. I just want to figure this out on my own.” She pauses. “With your help, of course.”
I chuckle. “Alright, but if things get worse, we go to your dad. Agreed?”
“Agreed.” She sticks out her hand for me to shake.
I ignore it and pull her into a hug, careful not to spill our tea. “You’re a great kid, you know that? Beautiful, smart, kind and caring. Your dad is lucky to have you.” I kiss the top of her forehead and step back.
Cat blinks up at me with tears in her eyes. “Thanks, Autumn. I wish…” Her words are cut off by squealing in the hall.
We rush out to find Travis on one knee and Allison covering her mouth with her hand and almost hyperventilating.
Cat stiffens beside me and crosses her arms over her chest. She’s staring at the scene and doesn’t appear to be all that happy about it.
Travis glances in our direction. He refuses to meet mine or Cat’s eyes. Somethings not right. His posture’s rigid and his face almost looks like he’s in pain as he clears his throat and asks, “Allison, will you marry me?”
Allison screeches and throws her arms around his neck, knocking him onto the ground. “Yes! Yes! Yes!” She peppers him with kisses while Travis tries to pull a box from his coat pocket. “Is that my ring?!” She squeals and reaches for the box before Travis can even get it out of his pocket. It’s on her finger and she’s holding it out in front of her, admiring it. “It’s perfect. I absolutely love a princess cut diamond.” Allison sighs then glances at Travis. “Here I thought we were going to break-up and now, we’re getting married.”
“Break-up? Why?” Travis clears his throat and helps Allison to her feet.
She waves him off. “It doesn’t matter. We have a wedding to plan. I’m thinking spring. Maybe April.”
“This April?” Travis’s eyes nearly bug out of his head.
“Yes, this April. We’re not getting any younger and if we want to have a couple red headed children running around, we better get started.” She wiggles her eyebrows at him.
Travis turns beet red and slides a quick peek at Cat.
Cat plasters on a fake smile and slowly approaches her dad and soon to be step mother. “Congratulations. This is a surprise.” Her voice is flat and monotone, like she’s talking about the weather.
Allison yanks her in for a hug. “I can’t wait to be your new mom.”
I flinch even before Cat and Travis do. That’s the last thing Allison needs to say to Cat. I watch Cat stiffen in her arms and withdraw inside herself. When Allison steps back, I can see the tears pooling in Cat’s eyes. I hurry to her side and slip an arm around her shoulder. “Congratulations.” I force a smile then say, “We’ll leave you two to celebrate. It’s almost four and we need to start closing up.”
“We should all go out to dinner to celebrate,” Allison exclaims then she clasps her hands together and turns to Travis. “Let’s go tell Regina. I’m sure she’ll want to come with us.” She grabs Travis’s hand and tugs him toward the front. “We’ll meet you girls at Pete’s around five. We have a few people we need to share the good news with before dinner. OK?”
I open my mouth to decline, feeling like I’m intruding, when Cat clasps my hand as if she’s holding onto a life raft.
“Please go. I need you there,” she whispers.
I nod and squeeze her hand back.
Travis glances back at us. When he sees Cat’s expression and her holding my hand, he frowns. His eyes grow dark and his forehead creases. Then Allison drags him around the corner and he’s gone.
I glance down at Cat, she’s staring after her dad as if in shock. “Hey, are you okay?”
She blinks and shakes her head. “Why did he propose?”
I turn red. “It may have been my fault. I let it slip he was going to propose, but I didn’t think he was going to do it here.” I glance around. The spa is nice, but it’s not a romantic setting for a proposal. “Did he talk to you about it?”
“He mentioned it once, but that was a couple months ago. I told him I didn’t think Allison was the right woman for him.”
“Really? They’re cute together,” I offer, trying to show my support.
Cat scoffs and rolls her eyes. “No, they’re not. Allison hates Dad’s job. She’s always complaining about his late nights and early mornings. All the constant texts and phone calls he gets at all hours of the day and night. I thought they were going to break up months ago. Not to mention, she’s super jealous of yo-,” Cat clamps her mouth shut and her face turns red.
“Allison’s jealous of me? Why?”
Cat sighs. “Isn’t it obvious?”
I frown and rack my brain. “No.”
Cat throws her hands up in the air. “My dad is still in love with you, Autumn. Can’t you see that? He’s always hanging around here when he doesn’t have to be at the station.”
“That’s because you’re here.”
She rolls her eyes again. “He doesn’t come here just to see me.”
I bite my lip. “Cat, I think you’re reading too much into things. Your dad and I have history, but’s that’s all it is. History. It’s in the past. Nothing is or will ever happen with your dad and me. Ever.”
Cat drops her eyes to the floor and whispers, “Ever?”
I tip her chin up and take in her teary eyes. “Your dad is in love with Allison. He asked her to marry him. There’s no way he would do that without meaning it. Please try to be supportive. Allison adores you.”
“She tolerates me,” Cat huffs.
“I’m sure that’s not true.”
Cat shrugs. “They’ll have more kids and I’ll become the glorified babysitter.”
I try to think of something to say so I blurt out, “I babysat when I was your age. It’s a great way to make some extra cash.”
She shrugs again. “I like working here. Kids aren’t really my thing.”
I snort. “Not your thing?”
“They’re so sticky and are always crying.”
I giggle and bump her shoulder as we make our way to the front. “Oh, Cat. Being an only child has clearly skewed your view of children.”
“Hey, you were an only child,” she says, knocking my shoulder back with hers.
“I know and sometimes I wish I wasn’t.” I sigh. “Having someone who will always be your best friend, no matter what, is really nice.”
“But you had Josh.” Cat cringes as his name leaves her lips. “Sorry.”
“It’s ok.” I pat her arm. “Josh is my best friend and when he gets home, I’ll have him back.”
Cat bites her lip.
“What?” I ask, counting the cash from the gift certificate sales.”
“What if…” Cat glances around the spa, trying not to make contact with my eyes.
“What if what?” I continue counting the cash until her next question hits me like a hurricane.
“What if he doesn’t come back?”
5
Laughter and loud music fill Pete’s Pizza Palace. Everyone in town is inside Pete’s congratulating the happy couple or more like the ecstatic bride-to-be, the groom-to-be looks like he’s at a funeral.
Cat’s sitting beside me picking at her salad. We’re sharing a vegan veggie pizza, although it’s sitting uneaten. My mind is on Cat’s words. They keep running like a hamster wheel in my mind. What if Josh doesn’t come back? Tears blur my eyes and a couple of ladies from the Crafty Crew send me sympathetic smiles. I blink furiously to keep them from escaping when Cat pushes back her chair sending it crashing to the ground and rushes to the bathroom.
Travis shoots me a concerned look and starts toward the bathroom.
I shake my head and right the chair before hurrying after her. When I reach the bathroom, I hear what sounds like girls raising their voices at each other.
“He’s not good enough for you,” a high-pitched voice shouts.
“You aren’t even good enough to make the state dance competition. That’s why you quit. You knew you couldn’t cut it,” another pitchy voice retorts.
“No, I quit because I couldn’t stand dancing with you three,” Cat snaps.
I’m taken back. I’ve never heard Cat say anything unkind to anyone. These girls, whoever they are, are mean girls and they’re messing with the wrong girl. My girl. I don’t have time to think about that sentiment when the girls laugh loudly or more like cackle like a bunch of witches and exit the bathroom.
The brunette is about my height and must be the leader’s. Her head is held high as she flips her loose curly locks over her slender shoulder. She’s wearing skinny jeans with a green sweater that slides off one shoulder. Her followers could pass for twins. Both blonds with thin frames and their outfits match their leaders with the exception of color. One in a black sweater and the other in a blue one. They stop laughing when they see my death stare and hurry past me.
Cat comes storming out of the bathroom, looking ready to pounce. I grab her arm and block her other one when she takes a swing.
“Whoa, slugger. It’s me, Autumn.”
Her face softens and her cheeks flush. “Sorry.”
“Who are those girls?” I have other names on the tip of my tongue, but I refrain since I’m the adult here.
“No one.”
I narrow my eyes at her and purse my lips. “Cat, I heard what they said to you. What’s going on? Are they really why you quit the dance team? Were they bullying you over the summer too?”
Cat stares down at her boots.
“Please talk to me Cat. What did they say to make you quit the dance team?”
She sighs. “Some snide comments about my form. Laughing when the teacher would comment on my missed steps. It was no longer fun.”
“Because of them?” I point after them.
Cat shrugs.
“Did you tell your dad?”
She shakes her head. “He was busy over the summer… working then he and Allison…” her voice trails off.
Did Travis and Allison only start dating over the summer? I guess so, Regina set them up over the fourth of July. Wow. Talk about a quick engagement. I guess when you know, you know. Although I’m not sure Travis really knows, but it’s not my business. “You shouldn’t let those jealous girls ruin something you love.”
“I love the spa and working with you,” she gives me a teary smile.
I wrap an arm around her and give her a side hug. “And I love having you there, but you love dancing. You should start again, even if it’s just for you.”
Cat rests her head on my shoulder and sighs. “I think they’re the ones sending me the mean texts and I think they threw the tomatoes.”
“Really? We have to tell your dad.”
“No.” Cat lifts her head and stares at me with pleading eyes. “It will only make things worse. You know how overprotective my dad is, Autumn. Please, let me handle it. Besides I have no proof. I need proof.”
I frown. “I heard one of them say you weren’t good enough for him. Was she referring to Liam?”
“Yes. Jana. Liam broke up with her in the spring. There are rumors it’s because of me. Supposedly, he has a crush on me, but I’m not sure. He’s nice to me, but he’s sweet to everyone.”
“Was Jana this mean before he broke up with her?”
“Yes, but not to me. She set her sights on some other girls.”
“So, she’s the definition of ‘mean girl’?”
“Pretty much,” Cat sighs. “I thought ignoring her would work, but no such luck. She’s relentless.”
“Who are the other two?”
“Brittney and Lydia. They’re almost as bad as Jana.”
“Hmm.” A plan is forming in my mind.
“What?” Cat stares up at me curiously. “You have the look on your face like your plotting. You’re plotting, aren’t you?”
I gasp and hold my chest like her words physically hurt me.
She giggles.
“There’s my girl’s sweet smile.”
Cat’s eyes grow wide. “I-I’m your girl?”
Before I can say anything, Travis steps into the hallway by the bathrooms. “Everything okay?”
Cat blinks then turns to her dad. “We’re fine.”
He studies us suspiciously. “More ‘girl talk’?” he says, using air quotes.
Cat and I exchange a look and burst out laughing.
Travis drops his hands. “What’s so funny?”
“Don’t ever do that again, Dad,” Cat says, linking arms with him, still laughing.
“What?” Travis peers back at me with confusion written all over his face.
I shake my head and watch the duo make their way over to Regina. Regi
na fusses with Cat’s hair then kisses the top her head before shooting me a curious look. I force a smile, but know she’ll be interrogating me later.
I scan the room for the terrible trio, as I’m now, dubbing them. They’re hanging out by the juke box, whispering and glaring in Cat’s direction. Something catches their attention and I spot Liam, stomping the snow off his boots by the front door. He’s in a leather jacket and jeans, holding a small bouquet of daisies. Oh, no. Not daisies. Cat loves daisies. I remember him asking her earlier about her favorite flower when she was commenting on how much she hated carnations and poinsettias. Surely, he’s making a delivery. Nope. He heads straight for Cat, much to her father’s dismay.
Travis frowns and looks about ready to shove the daisies down Liam’s throat when he holds them out to Cat, who blushes and takes them from him, bringing them to her nose.
Allison swoons and starts gushing about how cute they are together.
Regina grins and pushes them toward an empty table across the room.
Travis shoots her an angry glare and opens his mouth to I assume protest, but Allison pulls him away and toward Violet and Eddie, who are also planning their wedding for the spring.
Cat and Liam make their way to a table and barely have time to sit down before the terrible trio pounces.
I weave around a couple of people to get closer. I don’t want it to look like I’m hovering, but let’s face it, I am. These girls are trouble and my sleuthing radar is going off with bright flashing red lights and sirens. When I try to hide behind a plant, a couple of the Crafty Crew ladies spot me and come hurrying over. Their questions come flying at me like bullets.
“Oh, Autumn. How are you holding up, dear? Abby is beside herself. Have you talked to her today? She’s really worried about you. Are you eating? You look thinner than yesterday. Do you want some water? Have you been crying? Your eyes are blood shot. Have you been drinking?” They all sniff me as if trying to determine if they can smell alcohol on me then continue, “The funeral tomorrow is going to be so hard for Abby. For both of you.” They pat my hand.
I give them a tight smile because the thought of going to Josh’s “fake” funeral tomorrow is enough to make me want to hurl. I swallow the bile rising in my throat and bite back the words about Josh not being dead because frankly, everyone thinks I’m crazy or in denial. I know I’m not. Josh is alive and if I have to fake it until he’s back in my arms, I will. Now, I need to focus on Cat. I open my mouth to excuse myself when I hear a scream.
