Page 23 of Sins of Autumn

Cherish, who had been listening quietly, finally chimed in. “Well, even when she’s not technically working, she’s working.”

“True,” Daniella chimed in, shooting me a playful look. “You need to chill more, Autumn.”

I smiled, shaking my head. “I think this is me working on it.”

The conversation bounced from work woes to memories of high school and college, to half-hearted debates about who had the best taste in music. At one point, Ryan’s smile widened, and for a moment, I felt his gaze linger just a little too long.

Daniella rescued me and shifted the focus back to him, her grin mischievous. “Alright, Ryan, what about you? What’s life been like since your golden boy quarterback days?”

He laughed, running a hand through his hair. “Still coaching, mostly. I’ve got a gig lined up for the fall, but for now, it’s a lot of training camps and filling in where I can.”

“Must be nice,” Naija said, tilting her head. “I can’t imagine working with a bunch of high school boys, though. I’d lose my mind.”

“You get used to it,” he replied easily. “Though, yeah, some of them test your patience. It’s worth it when you see them grow and start taking it seriously.”

“Spoken like a true mentor,” Liza teased. “Bet you’re a favorite, huh?”

Ryan smirked. “I try.”

After the plates were cleared and everyone started to relax, Daniella leaned back in her chair, swirling her half-empty glass.

“Alright, we’ve got options for after this amazing meal. More alcohol, obviously, and a game. Something fun.”

“Like what?” Cherish asked, arching a brow as she took a sip of her drink.

“Let’s see... Uno? That always gets heated. Or Pictionary—though Naija would absolutely crush us with her drawing skills. Or,” she paused dramatically, “we go for Bones.”

“Bones?” Gabe tilted his head, his brow furrowing.

“Dominoes,” Liza clarified with a soft laugh. “She just likes stirring the pot.”

“It’s a classic!” Daniella defended. “And there’s nothing like slamming down a winning piece in someone’s face.”

“Except maybe Scrabble,” Naija added. “Though that one gets personal. The arguments over what counts as a word? Brutal.”

“Too much thinking,” Cherish objected. “We’re supposed to be relaxing, not debating the dictionary.”

“I think Uno then,” Jason suggested. “It’s fast, easy, and guaranteed to ruin friendships.”

Daniella pointed her finger at him like she’d just won the lottery. “Yes! That’s exactly the vibe I’m going for.”

“Calm down, bitch,” Liza laughed.

“I’m good with Uno,” I said, shrugging. “But don’t blame me when I hit someone with a stack of Draw Fours.”

“Oh, we’re blaming you already,” Ryan countered, flashing me a grin. “I’m in.”

Naija nodded. “Same. Uno it is, but if someone skips me, it’s on sight.”

“Unoandliquor?” Cherish shook her head, with a laugh. “This is going to end in disaster.”

“And that’s exactly the point,” Daniella replied, smug as ever.

As the laughter died down and everyone started shuffling around the table, I pushed back my chair, stretching lazily.

“Before I get too drunk to remember, I need to take Moose out,” I announced. “He comes first.”

Liza grinned at me and cooed, “Such a good mommy.”

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