Page 10 of When Autumn Arrives

Because everything added up to not a fucking fat chance in hell that this was a coincidence. I ran a finger down her cheek, basking in the way she shivered beneath my touch.

“Explain,” I demanded.

She gulped, her head shaking back and forth rapidly. “Hen…” Her lips parted and she let out a soft sigh. “Everything that I do is not for me. This summer was for me. And it had a time stamp. You never should have found what you did. Can we just leave it at that?”

No.

“You were going back to him? At the end of summer?” I asked.

“To Kyle?” she laughed, her head still shaking. “Never.”

“Then what?”

Behind me, the clicking of the stove shutting off sounded, and the trailer shook as Parker stepped toward us. We didn’t need to have a conversation about this. He understood my need for her transparency, and he’d help me get her to understand it.

Thea closed her eyes, concern etched on her face as she debated coming clean. The silence that came wore heavy on my shoulders, and I continued the soothing brush of my fingers along her flesh. Parker pressed a kiss to the top of her head. Her eyes snapped open, and she turned toward him. The uneasiness melted away, as if he were taking her burdens from her.

She was most comfortable with him, and it made sense. We were both kind toward her, but she spent the most time with him. He was doting and loyal to her, he did the most for her. I was the third wheel in that dynamic, and my brutality toward her since I’d confronted her didn’t help that.

Her cheek nuzzled against his hand. I withdrew my hand from them, allowing her to take solace in his touch until her breathing slowed, until she was content.

“You’ve made it clear, kitten. That whatever we were doing would end,” I said. “But why are you so hell bent on it ending with summer?”

She turned toward me. “Because I can’t be selfish anymore.”

“You can be selfish with us,” Parker told her. “Take whatever you need from us, baby. Anything.”

She turned to him, offered a timid smile, then turned back to me. “It’s not that easy,” she said, maintaining eye contact with me. “I never put myself first. I never will be able to again. This summer was a once in a lifetime thing. This relationship was something I’d only fantasize about.'' She turned to Parker. “I loved spending every minute with the both of you. But it’s not sustainable.”

“It can be, Thea,” Parker said, cupping her face. His dark eyes filled with tears, but he didn’t let them fall. “We’ve done it before.”

“And from what I gathered, Calder was involved, and look at him now. He’s clearly hellbent on it, never happening again. It’s obvious it broke your foundation. I refuse to be the reason that your relationship with each other is ruined.”

I shook my head. “It’s not like that. We’re not like that.”

“Well, I am,” she said, turning back to me. “I can’t do this anymore. I can’t have more than what is already going on. No strings attached. Because I’m a mom.” She pulled free from Parker, then dodged between us, freeing herself from being caged in. “I’m a mother. I have a child. And when she comes home, every bit of my time and energy goes into her.”

Her hands clenched into fists as her tone grew more and more agitated. “This,” she snapped, waving her hands between us and forming a triangle. “Is not feasible. I do not have time to sustain one man, let alone two.” Her breath hitched. “Paisley is the only thing that matters. When she’s home, this is over.” Her voice cracked on the last word. She didn’t want it to be finished, and neither did we.

I chewed on my lower lip as her gaze turned to me. Her spine straightened, and determination shined through her hard look. She was growing a backbone in this moment, showing a strength that had to come hard for her. “I didn’t tell you, because it didn’t concern you, Hendrix. I’m sorry that you feel betrayed. I am sorry you think you had the right to know. But you didn’t. You have no right to my life outside of the sex we’re having. None.”

I nodded. “Fine, Thea. Maybe you’re right. But I meant it when I said we can’t protect you if we don’t know.”

Her hands fell onto her hips, and I fought the urge to chuckle at how attractive it was to see her sass shine through, even in this intense moment. “What do I need protection from, Hen?” She glanced around the house. “I’ve taken care of myself every fucking day since I was eleven. I’ve been on my own since I was seventeen, and I’m doing just fine now, thank you.”

“You’re surviving,” I stated, stepping toward her. “Alone and closed off. You trust no one, and you need help, Thea.”

“I don’t.” She turned her head, not wanting us to see her tears. “It’s me and Paisley. That’s all I have the room for.”

Her jaw ticked, and we all remained silent while she composed herself. She swiped at the tears now falling down her cheeks. When she turned back, there was no sadness etched in the lines of her face. Only a hardened woman determined not to let herself fall apart. She gave me a once over before reaching my eyes.

“You’re a mess. You should take a shower while Parker finishes dinner. I’m going to go lay down for a bit,” she said before turning toward her room.

Chapter eight

Thea

Thirty minutes later, the bed dipped under the weight of another person. My eyes were still closed, but I could tell by his scent that it was Hendrix. The blankets I was curled under rustled until the heat of his bare skin pressed against me. He was naked except for the boxer briefs he wore. His arms wrapped around my front and he squeezed me against his bare chest.

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