Page 58 of Falling for Autumn Again

“Ah.” I exhale, tired from just thinking about the last few years. “That’s a long story.”

“Well, lucky for you, we have a lot of stuff to clear away.”

Sure, this she’ll talk about. If I bring up that kiss last night, I’ll probably get slugged again. But if she’s talking—I’ll take it. Even if that means baring my soul to the girl.

I spend the next hour telling her about the company I signed with right out of college.

“Why did you choose that firm?”

“They were such a huge firm with so many advancement opportunities. They worked with everyone from the smallest to the largest. And I liked that. At least, I thought I did. Unfortunately, my values did not align with theirs. I spent years arguing with them about things like cutting corners and fudging numbers. Finally, I left.”

“It took you long enough.”

I laugh, though I’m still not sure any of it’s funny. “It did. But I hoped I could change them. I thought we had enough in common that it might work out. There are people working there whose work is renowned. In the end, they wouldn’t change. Their tactics had worked for them, so why would they listen to me?”

Her brows raise. “Same old story.”

“What does that mean?” I pause putting the deer netting back into its proper place.

“You thought you could change Mav too.”

“Yeah. Well, I’m a slow learner.” There’s a numb space in my chest where any emotions for my father should reside. I won’tallow him to hurt me anymore. But I don’t hope for him to change or be the father I deserve anymore either.

"You're not a slow learner. You're an optimist. Always have been." Her smile is small and short-lived—but so very Autumn. She's still in there. And maybe she's right. Maybe I am an optimist because that smallest of grins gives me a whole lot of hope.

“Anyway, the car payment, my apartment rental, and so many other money-sucking things were not prepared for my sudden incomeless life. After a few months, I ran out of money and moved in with Phillip.”

“The idiot friend,” she says.

I smirk. “He’s not an idiot.”

“Where’d you guys meet?”

“College.”

She nods, her eyes dropping down.College—does she regret not going?

"We were roommates and quick friends. He's married now. I was the best man at his wedding." I smile at the memory.

Phillip was exactly the friend I needed when Autumn pushed me away, leaving me confused and hurt. He forced me to go out. He made me talk. I’m pretty sure I should have paid him as much as I’ve paid Dr. Appleby.

“That’s nice, Ezra.”

“What about you? Meg’s new.”

“Yeah.” She sits, slumping down on a barrel in the main room. “New and now gone.”

I sit beside her. “When did you guys meet?”

"She moved into town a couple of years ago." Her lip curls. "She was dating Kyle Wells."

“Oof,” I say, understanding that curl now. Not my favorite of Love Prairie Dogs. In fact, possibly one of my least favorite people from school.

“She learned quick enough after being here what a player he is.” She makes a gagging face that makes me laugh. “We bondedafter she brought her kindergartners to the farm for a class field trip. Then again after she learned that Kyle had been cheating on her. Scum. He so does not deserve Meg. That girl is an angel.” She breathes out a sigh—one that tells me how much she misses her friend. “She ended up teaching here for two years. Kal, her now-husband, came for this past school year. But they moved back to his home. This year she’ll be teaching in Hawaii.” Another sorrowful sigh falls from her chest.

“That bad?” Hawaii sounds pretty great. Maybe it’s the guy. “Kal?”

“No. Kal’s great. He’s adorable and fun. He just happens to call Hawaii home.”

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