Thankful For Her

“Maybe I will.” I bite my lip and he gives me a knowing smile. “You know my mother isn’t going to like this,” I tell him. She’s probably going to throw a fit.

“You’re eighteen, Autumn. You can do as you wish, and if it’s financial things she is holding over you such as school and a place to live, you don’t have to worry about that. I would never let you go without. In fact, I have years of spoiling you to make up for.”

“It’s not just that,” I admit. “She’s all I know. She might be cruel at times, but it’s really just been the two of us. I don’t have much else.” Even if she wasn’t there most of the time because I was moved from school to school, but I don’t add that part. I already feel pathetic. I think I like to cling to things too fast. I already want to jump on board with Ben and go full family mode with his family. Then look at Hunter. I was stuck to him after seeing one picture of him. I lay in bed this morning dreaming of babies and a wedding.

Ben sits back in his chair, releasing a deep breath. “I don’t want to make your life harder. We just want to be a part of it. Your grandmother—”

“I have a grandmother?!”

He smiles. “You two look so much alike. I can’t wait for you to meet her.”

“How do you know I’m not like my mother? How do you—”

“Autumn. I know you’re nothing like your mother. I’ve read and reread everything I could find out about you. I know for a fact you’re nothing like her.”

“Do you think if I were more like her she would have loved me?” I still at my own words, shocked that I said them out loud, and worse, to someone I don’t even know. Or maybe I said it because I feel like he’s the only person I’ve ever met who really knows what my mother is like.

Ben’s head falls and I watch him take a few breaths. “Autumn.” He says my name almost like he’s in pain.

“I should go.” I stand and Ben follows suit.

“Take this.” He hands me a card. It has all his business information on it. “Other side,” he tells me. I flip it over and written on the back are a few phone numbers and a house address.

“You call me anytime.” I reach into my bag and find a piece of paper and pen and scribble down my cell phone number then hand it to him.

“I promise I’ll call you. This is just a lot to take in. I do want to get to know you and your family,” I tell him.

“Our family,” he corrects, making me smile. I turn to walk out, but he grabs me, pulling me into a hug. “I can’t change the past, but I can make the future for us if you let me.” I nod against his chest. He lets me go and I walk out of the coffee shop. The driver pulls up and I slip inside the car before he can get out to open the door for me.

“Home?” he asks.

“Yes, please.” He pulls away from the curb and I take a deep breath. I have to face my mother…and see if Hunter is still there. I wasn’t really gone that long. I need to talk to him. Ask him about last night. Ask him if what my mother said is true.

All too soon I’m standing in the entryway of our home. I don’t see or hear anything. I start to head for Hunter’s room to see if he’s still asleep but pause when I hear his voice. I follow it to Neil’s office. The door is standing open.

“Knock it off, Dad. I told you I didn’t want to meet the gold digger’s mini-me. Drop it. Besides, I’m seeing someone.”

I feel all the blood drain from my face. I stand there feeling paralyzed.

“Are you still drunk?” I hear Neil ask Hunter. My stomach turns. He was drunk? Oh my god, maybe I made him cheat on his girlfriend. He’s going to hate me. My eyes water. This is all a train wreck.

I take off toward my room, then shut the door and lock it behind me. It’s then I notice I still have Ben’s card in my hand. I look down at it.

I dig through my bag and find my phone. It barely rings one time before Ben’s voice is filling my ear.

“I changed my mind. I want to come with you, but I have to be back for Christmas. I promised Neil I’d be here.”

“I’ll make sure you’re back. When do you want to leave?”

“Now.”

Chapter Six

Hunter

I rub my hands over my eyes, trying to clear the sleep out of them and trying to clear my mind. My father ran from the room a moment ago when his wife yelled from down the hall. I rolled my eyes. She’s always dramatic and I’m not playing into it. Because my mind has other places it wanted to be.