Alpha CEO

She waved him off. “It’s in the past. You’re here now, and that’s all that matters.”

“The way I left after everything you guys did for me. It’s inexcusable, and I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to make things right with the both of you.”

“We just want you to be happy. It’s all we’ve ever wanted.”

“I know.” He looked over at me. “Autumn has always been the woman to do that for me.”

I hadn’t spoken to my parents about anything pertaining to Julian since The New York Times article hit the stands. I didn’t know what to say, and I figured it was better to discuss it in person than over the phone or through text. The expression on Mom’s face was enough—she had questions. Lots of them.

We showed them around the estate, and I could tell my parents were enamored with the property. It was as if no time had passed between Julian and my parents. Despite them being hurt by his actions, I always knew they wouldn’t hold a grudge. Now, my brother was a much different story. Christian and Julian had been best friends, and Christian had missed Julian like I did when he’d left. At least I got a goodbye—not a very good one but one, nonetheless.

Julian went out to the farmhouse with my dad and Capri, while my mom and I stayed behind in the kitchen.

Which was made for a queen.

Me.

“Okay, spill, Autumn. I can’t hold it in anymore. You’ve been ignoring my calls and texts.”

“I wasn’t ignoring you.”

“Then how do you explain every miscall and text?”

“I just didn’t know what to say. When I first learned about the article, I was so mad at Julian.”

“First learned? You didn’t know about it either?”

“Absolutely not! I would never want any of you to find out that way, but Julian … he’s Julian Locke, Alpha CEO, and he does what he wants.”

“He’s always done what he’s wanted, Autumn. You were too young to realize that before.”

“I’ve always known. I just ignored it back then.”

“And now?”

“He drives me absolutely insane.”

“What’s going on between you two? Is it true? Are you guys together because of the way that man looks at you, I can’t imagine this is just a publicity stunt.”

“I don’t know what we are, and that’s the honest truth.”

“Alright… And the article? What happened back then?”

I deeply sighed. “We lied to everyone.”

“So he was your first love? You were his?”

“Yeah, well, I mean he was mine, but I didn’t know I was his until the article hit the stands.”

“Oh wow.” She shook her head, dumbfounded. “How did we not see any of this?”

“We were really good at hiding.”

“I guess I don’t understand why you guys were hiding in the first place.”

“We didn’t think you guys would approve, and we knew Christian definitely didn’t.”

“Oh, honey … all we’ve ever wanted is for you to be happy. Both of you. And if you found that with one another, who are we to say anything about it? Your brother has always been so overprotective of you, but he would have eventually come around. His little sister, his best friend, he couldn’t ask for a better outcome.”

“You would think, but you should have seen him a few weeks ago when Julian told him to meet us at a restaurant.”

“I saw your brother’s busted lip. I can imagine what happened.”

“Did he tell you?”

“He told us he saw you guys, and Julian and he exchanged words. Christian is hurt, but he’ll come around.”

“I can’t believe you guys are so forgiving. I know how sad you were with the way he left.”

She lovingly smiled. “Honey, it was a long time ago. Julian has always been a very complex man, even as a child. At first, of course, his abrupt departure was painful, but I know he didn’t mean to hurt us. Now, finding out about you guys, I understand why he thought leaving the way he did was the best idea.”

“Really? Because I barely understand it.”

“You were raised in a loving home. Julian may have stayed at our house a lot, but he’s always been thrown away like he was nothing more than yesterday’s garbage. Kids that are abandoned like he was and thrown into the system usually tend to mess everything up before someone they love can do it for them. It’s sad, and I’m not making excuses for him. I know he believed he was doing what was in everyone’s best interest.”

I nodded. “I know. I’m glad you guys are so forgiving. You mean a lot to him. He loves you, both of you.”

“And we love him. He’s always been a special boy, and we knew he’d amount to great things. I had a suspicion it would be something to do with cars. He’s always had a passion for them. How are he and Capri? From the looks of it, they’ve already taken to each other.”