Page 18 of Sins of Autumn

Naija went to join them, pausing long enough to throw a pointed look at Gabe, who was leaning lazily against Liza’s car. “Don’t start anything with anyone.”

His thin lips curved into a grin. “What could I possibly start, Naj?”

She said something under her breath, giving him some side-eye before heading inside with the others. I shook my head, tugging Moose’s leash and heading for the side of the building. Tiny grains of asphalt crunched underfoot, and for a moment, I let myself focus on the sound, trying to shake the strange vibe that clung to the place.

“Autumn?” a voice called out, making me jump. I turned quickly to find Ryan walking toward me, his hoodie pulled up, hands stuffed in his pockets.

“Didn’t anyone ever tell you not to sneak up on people?”

He grinned, and a dimple appeared on his left cheek. “Didn’t mean to scare you.”

His dark brown eyes shifted toward the edge of the building, scanning the area. “Not the best place to hang out alone, though.”

“I’m not alone. I’ve got Moose, and he’s a better judge of people than I am.”

He chuckled, glancing at my rottie, who was sniffing a stretch of grass near the edge of the building. “He seems solid, but I’d feel better sticking around. You never know with places like this.”

I blinked, caught off guard by the quiet sincerity in his voice. “That’s… sweet of you, but I’m fine.”

“Still,” he said, leaning casually against the side of the building, his broad shoulders relaxed but his eyes watchful. “Doesn’t hurt to be careful.”

I sighed, shaking my head but appreciating the gesture. Ryan had always been friendly anytime our paths crossed, and while Wilder might have been the most beautiful man that I’d ever laid eyes on, Ryan wasn’t hard to look at. I didn’t want his interest though.

Moose suddenly froze, his body stiffening as a low growl rumbled in his throat. I followed his gaze and saw a girl stepping out from the opposite side of the building. I realized she was older than I initially thought as I studied her face. She was just small, and pale, with loose dark hair that framed her face and dark blue eyes.

She didn’t say anything, just stood there, staring, like she was sizing us up. Her head tilted slightly, her lips curling into a slow, unsettling smile. “You’re really pretty,” she breathed, her voice soft but clear.

“Thanks…” I replied cautiously, tightening my grip on Moose’s leash as his fur bristled. She stepped closer, and his growls turned sharper, his hackles rising.

“Hey.” Ryan stepped slightly in front of me. “Something you need?”

The girl didn’t answer. She just stared for a moment longer before turning abruptly and walking off into thefieldbehind the gas station, disappearing into the tall grass. I didn’t see anything back there that would cause someone to go that way.

“Hey,” I called after her, glancing over when Ryan put a hand on my arm and shook his head.

“Let her go.”

I frowned, looking for some sign of the woman, but she was completely concealed. “What if she’s not…well?”

“Do you know her?”

I slid him an exasperated look. “How would I know some random girl hiding on the side of a gas station?”

“Good point.”

We both looked toward the field again, but the girl had vanished. Where the hell was she going? I didn’t see any indication of a building or road.

Ryan shook his head. “Come on. Let’s get back to the others.”

I tugged on Moose’s leash, and we circled around to the front of the building. Everyone was standing by the cars, bags of snacks and drinks in hand. Daniella glanced between Ryan and me as if she already had a million questions.

“What took youtwoso long?” she asked, her tone teasing.

Ryan thankfully ignored the bait. “Did you guys see a skinny, wraith-looking girl? Dark hair, pale, kinda off?”

Jason, who had been leaning against Liza’s car and sipping from a soda, nodded his head. “Yeah, she was inside when we first got here. Didn’t think much of her, though.”

“She was creepy as hell,” Naija added, adjusting her long locs as she pulled a water bottle from one of the bags.

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