Page 65 of Falling for Autumn Again

I circle my head, hearing his words and mourning my chicken parm. “Bowling. I am bowling tonight. I cannot help with your homelessness tonight, Ezra.” I give one final nod. Because this is better anyway. Bowling with Chip… rather than kissing a shirtless Ezra.

Okay… maybe notbetter, but certainly safer.

“Let’s go, Chip.”

“It’s Kip.”

I blow out an exhausted breath. “I knew that.”

Senior Year

FALL

Ezra

“And you’ll be back by 11:59?”

“Excuse me, sir?”

Ed Green shoves his hands into his pockets and rocks back and forth on his heels—waiting for me to answer rather than ask a question.

“Honey—” Mrs. Green hurries into the Green family living room. “I’m off. I’m helping Jamie run the fundraiser and then Margaret Cox needs a visit at the old folks’ home.” She kisses the man’s cheek and, in her haste, almost runs right into me. “Oh! Ezra.” She laughs, jerking to a halt.

“Hi, Mrs. Green.”

“None of that. I’ve already told you, you call me April.” She peers back at her husband. “And don’t let this one give you a hard time.” She tugs on the collar of her husband’s shirt. “Right, Ed?”

“We were just talking about what time Autumn needs to be home.”

“Right.” I nod, understanding hitting me. “Before midnight. I can do that.” Sure, she was out last night until two withoutanyone the wiser, but tonight I will have that girl home by midnight. No exceptions. I don’t care how tight her leg grip gets. She has to go home.

“Good.” Despite his very serious tone, Ed winks at me. Then, turning back to his wife, he says, “See you, darling.” He wraps an arm around April’s torso, kissing her on the lips. It’s a quick peck but warm and intimate, making me feel as if I’m intruding. “Dinner’s in the oven. It’ll be ready for you whenever you want it.”

I can’t imagine Mav cooking for a family—or anyone. He doesn’t even cook for himself. If I’m not there to feed him, the man eats potato chips and cereal from the box.

Released from her husband, April pats me on the shoulder. “Fall festival tonight?”

I swallow before I’m able to speak. Autumn and I have been official for a year and yet I still get nervous talking to her parents. “Um. Yep. Second night. The dance is tonight.”

Her grin broadens. “Have fun,” she says. “And home by 12:01 would be fine too.” She winks at her husband, and then she’s out the door.

“She’s a busy one,” Mr. Green says, blinking at the door his wife just slipped through.

I give a close-lipped grin. “Ah, what are you cooking?”

“Chicken parmesan.”

I can’t help it. I laugh in surprise. “Wow. That sounds intense.”

“Autumn makes it better than I do. But they’re all stuck with me cooking tonight.”

“My dad can’t make mac and cheese.” I swallow. I shouldn’t have said that. I don’t like talking about Mav at all, but especially with the Greens. I don’t ever want them to lump me in with him.

Ed’s eyes narrow a little. “He’s a tough one. Huh?”

My mouth goes dry. But I can’t deny his words. “He is.”

“You’re a good man, Ezra. Don’t let him tell you otherwise. You’ve been dealt a hard hand. But you’ve never let that handdecide who you are.” His palm cups my shoulder. “That’s difficult to do. You’re more a man than half the men I work with.”

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