Page 21 of Falling for Autumn Again

His father.

Another truth hits me just as hard: there is no way on earth that a man like that is saving money for Ezra to go to college.

Chapter Nine

Ezra

My own place.It’s been a long time. Weeks. And it feels different. I realize I’m renting temporarily and for crazy cheap from the Linus’s, but this place already feels like home.

I’ve unpacked my things and turned the TV on—to what, I’m not even sure. I’m not looking at it, I’m staring at my phone.

Phil:Are you going to see your dad?

That’s a complicated question.

I met Phil during my first year at Pratt. He was the lucky sucker assigned to be my roommate. Lucky for me, Phil is a decent dude—and while I was a crazy mess, he became a friend rather than someone who talked about hisloserroommate at parties.

The only person to know more about my problems than Phil and my therapist is Autumn.

Me: The jury is still out.

Phil: Dr. Appleby said you should. Right? Heal up those wounds.

Me: Wounds like Autumn Green?

Phil: Wait. As in AUTUMN?

Me: The one and only.

At least, the one and only in my life.

Phil: So, she is there. I can’t believe it.

Me: You and me both.

Phil: Sorry, man. I’m out of words. IDK what else to say to that. I thought she’d be long gone.

Me: That makes two of us.

Phil: How’s the job?

My friend thinks he’s making a U-turn. Subject change. Only—

Me: Autumn IS the job. The Linus’s hired me to build her a restaurant.

I can hear Phil cursing—to his credit, he doesn't write any of those four-letter words. Instead, he sends me a GIF of a man getting run over by a truck—back and forth it rolls over his legs while he just lies there, taking it all.

I’m not sure why it feels so accurate, but it does. I am simultaneously the man on the ground and the driver of the truck.

Phil: So… coming back to NY?

Me: To what? My lease was up weeks ago. Do you really want me on your couch again?

Phil: I don’t mind, but Jamie Lynn might be ready to have her living room back.

Me: Yeah. I don’t blame her. I’ve used up the rest of my savings for a storage unit for the next two months. I have no other choice.

Phil: Sure you do. Come work for me.

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