Page 29 of Autumn's Coming

Chapter Eleven

Autumn

I slept a little longer before getting dressed and heading home. I needed to shower before my shift, and try to cram in some time to do my reading for Cody’s class tomorrow.

I couldn’t believe I’d slept with him.

I couldn’t believe I’d quit my job to sleep with him.

I walked into my apartment, trying to be quiet. Jessie usually slept late, and I didn’t want to wake her.

To my surprise, she was sitting on the couch, dressed in pajamas with her hair in a bun. She looked up at me, wide-eyed.

“Autumn! Where the hell have you been?”

I bit my lip. “Uh…a lot happened.”

“No shit! You quit Bounce? And left with some guy? What the hell were you thinking?!”

“I know, I know! But it was him, Jessie.”

“Who?”

“The hot guy—my professor!”

She blinked, her shoulders dropping as the tension relaxed. “Are you serious?”

I nodded. “He took me to this really fancy loft apartment downtown, and he…Jessie, he made me come twice.”

She looked away. “Okay, I mean, that’s great, but…what about rent, Autumn? Is he going to pay our bills?”

I hesitated before replying. “I mean, he said he would take care of me.”

She raised her eyebrows.

I realized how uncertain that sounded. Sighing, I said, “We’re supposed to talk about it.”

My phone chimed.

I felt myself blush as I grabbed it.

Cody.

Home safe? Are you free tonight?

I put it back in my pocket. I’d talk to him later.

I looked to Jessie again. “I need to go shower, so, we’ll talk later?”

Jessie nodded. “Yeah. I think we need to.”

“We will.”

I went to the shower, closing the door. Under the spray of hot water, I could really let myself think about what was happening, what I wanted.

I wanted to pass my class. I wanted to be able to take care of myself without relying on someone else.

I wanted to be with Cody.

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