Page 25 of A Second Chance

“I will cite you for a smartass mouth.” Eli smiled. “Didn’t know you were back in town.”

“Really? Thought Weasel woulda told you.”

He snorted and rolled his eyes. “Anderson? Sure… All he’s thinking about is that wife of his… Can’t say I blame him, though.”

“How the hell did that happen?” They both laughed.

“It’s one of life’s mysteries,” Eli replied. “Where are you staying?”

“I’m out at Huntington with my sister, but planning to get my own place here soon.” He found it strange that the kid who once punched a pitcher for hitting him with a stray ball now stood there in a police uniform; badge, gun, and all.

Eli nodded. “Hey, we’re hunting Saturday, you in?”

“Yeah,” he said, before remembering the bow in his old bedroom at his parents’ house, and that he hadn’t shot in over three years. Maybe he could borrow a bow from Weasel? It would keep him from having to face his old bedroom and the memories of what happened in there.

Ten

Jason knocked on the cabin door. Autumn lived in a small log cabin on the Huntington Farms property, behind Ben and Brandon’s house. He couldn’t believe that she and Dan were still living in the tiny two-bedroom home. Autumn moved in when she was pregnant with Danny, and Dan had been deployed with no knowledge of his impending fatherhood.

“Come in,” Autumn called.

He opened the door, and a triad of women stared at him from the kitchen table, each with a glass of wine in front of them. Along with Autumn were her friends Rebecca and Hannah.

“Jason!” they all called.

“Oh, hey… sorry. Didn’t know you were busy.”

“Come on in,” Hannah called. “It’s just us.”

“Yeah, all right.” He could use the advice of a pool of women. Jason crossed to the dinner table and pulled out a seat. A spread of crackers and various cheeses were in the middle of the table. “Where’s Dan?”

“He’s with S&R out in the woods looking for missing hikers. Want a drink?” Autumn asked.

He shook his head.

“What’s up?”

Jason scanned the three. “So, I can just assume you both filled Hannah in about me and Gwen?”

“Of course,” Hannah chimed. “Speak freely.” Rebecca giggled. The trio of slightly-toasted women grinned.

“Fine… so what do I do now?”

“Do you really not remember anything?” Rebecca asked.

“No.”

“What do you want to happen?” Autumn asked.

“How do I get her to not hate me?”

“She doesn’t hate you,” Autumn replied.

“Yeah, she does. Haven’t you been paying attention?”

“Haveyoubeen paying attention?” she retorted. “If she were over you and had no feelings, then she’d be indifferent to your presence. And she’s definitely not over you. You illicit an emotional reaction.”

He mulled over Autumn’s words. “Yes, but plotting my demise isn’t the preferred reaction here. Well, I humiliated her, not intentionally, but still I understand why.” He wanted to make this situation better, but didn’t know how or if it was a lost cause.

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