Page 43 of Chains
“When you introduced him, I was just too shocked to think, and I already told you I ran after him to try and make peace between the two of you. You have to admit that it was pretty tense, I mean, it looked like Chains was going to punch you.”
“His fucking name isChet,” he grumbled.
When a car honked behind them, Bret flipped the driver off in the rearview mirror and drove forward.
“I’m sorry about all this. I wasn’t keeping anything from you. When he was coming into the clinic, I had no idea he was your brother. If I had, I would’ve told you, so let’s not fight about this, okay?”
“Okay.” His eyes narrowed as he stared ahead, and she could see his jaw was as tight as a rubber band.
A tense silence descended upon them for the rest of the drive. When Bret pulled into her driveway, Autumn opened the passenger door and jumped out.
“I gotta go, sweetie,” he said as he slid out of the vehicle.
“You’re coming back, right? Remember, we have plans for dinner tonight.”
Bret audibly sighed while running his hand through his short brown hair. “I’m fucking pissed right now because I have to be in Grand Junction for business early tomorrow morning. Since it’s almost a four-hour drive, I want to leave today.”
Autumn’s eyes widened. “And when were you planning to tell me this?”
“I was debating about staying or getting up and leaving at around four in the morning. I didn’t want to say anything until I made my decision. You know I’m not a morning person, sweetie.” Bret walked around the car and pulled her into his arms. “Don’t be mad. I’ll make it up to you when I get back.”
“And when will that be?”
“A few days.” He bent down and kissed her. “Be good while I’m gone.”
She jerked her head back. “Where did that come from?”
“I’m just joking, silly. Don’t be so touchy.”
Autumn pulled away. “Have a safe trip.”
“I’ll call you when I get there. Uh… I need to borrow a bit more money for the business venture.”
She tilted her head. “Again? I just gave you four thousand dollars a couple of weeks ago.”
“Yeah, and I appreciate it, but the other guy who was going to invest backed out. He sort of left me in the lurch. I’ll pay you back for sure.”
Autumn shook her head. “I don’t have any more cash around.”
“What about cash advances on your credit cards?”
“My credit cards are maxed with all the wedding expenses. I’m sorry. Maybe you can ask your parents.”
“I don’t want them involved inourbusiness.”
“Have you thought about taking out a small business loan?”
“That won’t work. I had a problem before I met you and it kind of screwed up my credit. I got another couple of years before the negative shit falls off my credit report. What about the clinic?”
The blood in her veins ran cold. “What about it?”
“You could take out a loan on it. I’m on the deed right?”
At that moment, Autumn mentally kicked herself for letting Bret talk her into adding him to the deed of the property.
“I’m not doing that,” she said coldly.
“Why the fuck not? There’s a shitload of equity in the place. I checked it out.”
