Page 9 of All Autumn
“Okay, go to the bedroom. I’ll give him the suitcases. What time you want him to come get the rest of his stuff tomorrow?”
“Any time before noon. After that I have an appointment.”
That worked for me as well. “I got this, Autumn. Go.”
Since my car was parked in the middle of the driveway, blocking the garage door, Brian would have to come to the front. Curious if he’d give Autumn the courtesy of knocking, I waited. I rolled my eyes when I heard a key slide into the lock. What a jerk. Apparently he thought he could just waltz right in even after what he’d done.
I pulled the door open. “Oh, good. It’s you.” I pushed the two suitcases in front of him, blocking him from coming in. “Autumn was kind enough to pack up some stuff for you. I told her to just throw everything out on the lawn, but she’s a nicer person than I am.”
“What are you doing here, Adam?”
The dude never had been able to tell us apart, but I don’t think he really tried that hard. By now he should know that I always wore an emerald stone earring and Adam a sapphire one. “I’m Connor. To answer your question, I’m taking care of my friend. The one whose heart you broke today.” At his scowl I was tempted to slam the door in his face.
“Autumn shouldn’t be discussing our private business.”
“And Autumn’s husband shouldn’t have been screwing a woman who wasn’t his wife, so I guess you’re even. Oh, wait. I don’t think she’s close to being even with what you did. Take the suitcases and go. She said to tell you that you can come get the rest of your stuff tomorrow morning.”
“I want to talk to her. We can straighten out this misunderstanding now.”
“Seriously, dude? Misunderstanding? If that’s how you see it, then you’re a bigger idiot than I thought. You’re not talking to her today, so go before I call the cops.”
“Who the hell do you think you are, asshole? This is my house, and I’m coming in.”
I was bigger and stronger than him, and he was pissing me off. Before I lost it and beat the crap out of him, I picked up one of the suitcases and used it to push him away from the door. “You try to come in and you won’t like the consequences.” I threw the suitcase out the door, then kicked the other one out.
After watching to make sure he left, I called my foreman. Although I’d planned to have him come over in the morning to change the locks, I decided that should happen immediately. I didn’t trust Brian to stay away.
Next I called Adam, letting him know where I was and why. He was as angry on Autumn’s behalf as I was.
“Want me to come over and stand guard with you?”
“No. Gary’s coming now to put new locks in. I’ll bunk on her couch, wait for Brian to show up tomorrow, then head home. I’ve got a showing tomorrow afternoon, but I won’t make it to the office in the morning to go over the status of Dylan and Jenn’s house.”
“Not a problem. If anything changes, let me know.”
“Will do.” A few seconds after I hung up, a car pulled into the driveway. It was too soon for Gary to get here, and if it was Brian coming back, we were going to have some words.
I opened the door, prepared to meet him in the yard. Recognizing Dylan’s Mustang—or was it Jenn’s?—I relaxed.
“One of you needs to get a different car so I know who’s here,” I said as they both walked up. They had matching Mustangs, which Jenn thought was the cutest thing.
“I’m keeping mine,” Jenn said, giving me a hug. “He can get a new car.”
Dylan grinned at his girlfriend. “Not happening, Red.”
Jenn peeked around me, trying to see inside the house. “How’s our girl?”
“Not so good. Brian just left. He wanted to talk to her, but she wasn’t ready, so I sent him away. Come on in.”
“I’m so furious,” Jenn said when we were inside. “I wish I’d been here so I could give him a piece of my mind. What a toad.”
“That he is.” I waved a hand toward the hallway. “She’s in the guest bedroom. Why don’t you go talk to her?” Dylan moved to the sofa after Jenn headed for Autumn. I plopped down in a chair. “I’m waiting for my foreman. He’s headed over to change the locks.”
“So she meant it when she said she was done with him?”
“Appears so. I hope she still feels that way tomorrow.” I brought Dylan up to speed, telling him that Autumn had agreed to meet with Brian as long as I was here.
“Jenny and I can stay tonight if you need to get home.”
