Page 50 of Chains
“I don’t know much about Bret’s life. I haven’t been around the day-to-day family shit for about fourteen years.”
“So you don’t know Barbara or Teresa?” Desperation flashed across her face.
“No, I don’t. Uh… do you have a friend you can call to be here with you?”
Her jaw slackened and she looked away. “I’m sorry. I’m putting you in the middle of all this—Bret’s your brother, after all.”
He jerked his head back. “I’m more concerned about you than him. What he did to you is unforgivable. It’s just that I think you need a girlfriend to talk to about all this.”
Autumn took another sip of her drink. “I can call Sadie.”
“Will she be able to come over? You probably don’t want to be alone tonight.”
“I’m sure she can.” A faraway look came into her eyes. “I just don’t have luck with men. Bret’s the second guy who dumped me before the wedding.”
Chains raised his eyebrows slightly. “No shit.”
A small, dry laugh. “Yeah… pretty pathetic, huh? I found my ex-fiancé, or should I now say my ex-ex-fiancé, banging a friend of mine. And now Bret… This is all such a fucking pathetic joke. Why do men keep leaving me? What the fuck’s wrong with me?” She sank her fist into the cushion.
“It’s not you, it’s them—they were both assholes. You just haven’t found the right one yet.”
She reached out and touched his hand. “Thanks for that. Why haven’t you gotten married?”
His muscles stiffened. “I was once, but it didn’t work out.”
Autumn’s eyes widened. “That’s a surprise. Bret told me he was the first one to get married in the family.”
“He’s not only an asshole, but he lies a helluva lot. I know you don’t feel this way now, but you’re lucky you’re not getting hitched to him. You would’ve had a shitty life.”
“It’s just that I thought I was finally settled with a nice guy. All this wedding planning has consumed me for more than four months. What am I going to tell people?”
“That you and asshole have called off the wedding. It’s better like this than to go through a divorce.” Chains rose to his feet. “You want another vodka? I’m gonna have some more tequila.”
Nodding, she replied, “Half of what you poured me before. Do you want to eat something? I’m starving. I’ve been trying to be real good about carbs and such because Bret thought I needed to lose a few pounds, but I’m famished.”
Chains looked over his shoulder at her. “You don’t need to lose anything. My brother’s an idiot.”
“Thanks. See, you are good with this woman stuff.”
“I could go for a pizza, or whatever else you want.”
“I’m craving cheesy enchiladas and a shredded beef burrito and a full order of sopapillas with a scoop of ice cream.”
Chains laughed as he poured the drinks. “Sounds good. You want me to pick it up?”
“I can order through Door Delivery. Have you used their service?”
“Nah. No one comes to the clubhouse to deliver shit except for the mail.”
“Are you sure you’re good with staying? I mean, you don’t have to babysit me.”
He walked back over to the couch and put the drinks down on the table. “I’m good with it. I’m just really pissed off at my brother, and I don’t want you to be alone.”
“I’ll call Sadie to come over later. I know she’s working late tonight.”
“I’ll stay until she comes,” he said.
“You don’t have to. I’ll be okay, really,” she replied.
