Page 49 of Chains
“It’s not that… Bret’s fine.” His brother hadn’t mentioned he was out of town, and that fact pissed Chains off even more.
“That’s a relief.” She settled back in the chair. “So what is it?”
Chains pulled his legs up and leaned forward slightly, his gaze fixed on hers.
“You’re making me nervous. Just tell me.” She stared down at her hands, fidgeting in her lap.
“Autumn, Bret’s…” Chains looked away.Fuck!
“Bret’swhat?” she whispered.
He clenched his jaw and locked eyes with hers. “The fucker’s breaking off the engagement. He doesn’t want to get married. The sonofabitch didn’t have the balls to tell you himself, so he called and asked me.” Chains shook his head. “If it’s any consolation, I’m gonna beat the shit outta him for doing this to you when he gets back in town.”
“Is this forreal?” Autumn whispered. Her hands were clasped together so tightly that her knuckles had turned white.
“I wish it weren’t, but… yeah, that’s what he said.” Chains scrubbed his jaw. “I’m sorry my brother’s such a fuckin’ asshole.”
“I can’t believe it,” she mumbled. “Why would he do this to me? I mean, things have been tense between us for the last few months or so, but to call off the wedding? I was feeling stressed about the wedding too, but to call it off… and likethis? It’s awful.” A ragged sob escaped and she lowered her head, her shoulders shaking slightly.
He sat watching, her soft sobs tearing through him. Chains rose to his feet and came over to her. “Fuck, Autumn, don’t cry.” He reached out and gripped one of her arms. “The asshole doesn’t deserve you. Come here.” Chains pulled her up from the chair and she fell against him as he wrapped his arms around her.
“Why would he do this?” she mumbled over and over.
Chains didn’t say anything; instead, he stroked her hair and held her close, breathing in the scent of her perfume. She was so soft, so beautiful, and she fit perfectly in his arms. A warm hand reached up and touched the side of his face. He tilted his head back and his gaze moved to hers as he felt an unexpected jolt of need and desire roll over him. Instinctively, Chains dropped his arms and stepped back.
Autumn turned away, her cheeks blooming, and she plucked out a tissue from a box on the corner of the coffee table and wiped her damp face.
“I’m okay now.” She sighed loudly and smoothed her hair back. “I’m sorry for getting so upset.”
“You don’t need to apologize.” Chains stood rooted to the spot. “Do you want me to get you anything, like a drink or something?”
A weak smile. “I could use a shot or two of vodka, but I’ll get it myself.”
“No way. Sit down and I’ll bring it to you. Where do you keep the bottle?” He was glad to be doing something; he needed to distance himself from the situation and fromher.
“Top cupboard to the left of the fridge.”
“Got it.”
Chains bounded into the kitchen and went straight to the cabinet. After he had the bottle in hand, he looked around for a glass. He glanced over at Autumn, who was now sitting on the couch and hugging her cat. Chains spotted the tequila on the counter and poured a couple of shots in a tumbler, then he brought both glasses into the family room. There was no way he could just take off now; if he did, he’d be no better than his selfish-ass brother.
“Here you go,” Chains handed Autumn her drink.
“Thanks. Sit over here,” she said patting the couch.
He plopped down, then brought the tumbler to his lips and took a big sip.
“I guess I’m not really surprised that Bret’s called off the wedding,” she said, her voice trembling on the wordsthe wedding. “We weren’t getting along all that well, and he always seemed so preoccupied. I guess he just got tired of me.” Autumn shrugged, then took a drink of vodka.
“My brother’s always been the restless type—changing jobs, cars, and apartments all the time.” He drained his glass. The last thing he wanted was to have Autumn start crying again; he wouldn’t be able to stand it. A woman crying made him go all soft and twisted inside.
“Then, I guess he wants to trade me in for a new model.” There was a small hitch in her voice.
“He’s an asshole.”
“Bret’s been less attentive lately so I knew something was up, even though he kept denying it. My friend Sadie kept telling me I was just having pre-wedding jitters.” She shook her head. “Iknewin my gut something wasn’t right. Do you think he wants to go back to his ex-girlfriend. I’m pretty sure her mother’s trying to get them back together. Barbara—that’s her mom. She’s a total bitch, and Bretinsistedthat I have her at the kitchen shower. Can you believe that? And he wanted her and the ex-girlfriend at the wedding. Isn’t that insane? How stupid I’ve been.” Autumn breathed in deeply and let it out slowly. “Do you know Barbara and her daughter, Teresa? Do you think Bret wants to go back to her?”
Chains shifted uneasily in his seat; he didn’t go for talking about women’s feelings and other stuff. It seemed that few men could grasp what womenreallywanted them to say, and getting involved with all that was like walking in a field full of landmines.
