Page 66 of Chains
“Because I’m stupid and on the rebound and so fucking mixed up about all this.” Autumn stifled a smile as she sat back in the chair.
Sadie giggled while pointing at her. “You’ve got the hots for Bret’s brother. I fuckingloveit! How long hasthisbeen going on?”
“Since I met him at the clinic. I ignored it because I was still with Bret, but I felt some kind of connection with Chains right off the bat.”
“Chains? That’s his name?”
Autumn looked down at her half-eaten pumpkin bread. “That’s his nickname. His real name’s Chet, but he goes by Chains. The name suits him much better.”
“Uh… it’s kind of strange, but the whole family’s a little odd, right? I mean Bret’s mom is like some Nazi homemaker, the sisters are like replicas of mommy except they wear better clothes, and the dad has ‘mass murderer’ written all over his face with all the suppressed anger he’s got going on.”
Autumn laughed. “You aresobad, but I love it. No matter what’s going on in my life, you always bring humor to it.”
“I just say it as I see it. So tell me more aboutChains.” She giggled. “It sounds so funny.”
“He’s in a motorcycle club—a scary one.”
Sadie’s eyes widened. “It has to be the Night Rebels, and that just fits into my description of the family.”
Autumn nodded. “The Night Rebels. Fuck… He’s the guy my parents warned me about when I was growing up.”
“And that makes him even more exciting. I’m guessing he’s gorgeous and sexy as sin.”
“Totally, but he’s sweet too. He loves his dog—”
“So we know he’s not serial killer material since he likes animals,” Sadie cut in with a chuckle.
Autumn smiled. “And he’s been super supportive during this whole breakup. He’s so pissed at Bret for doing this to me”—she held up her hand—“andhe went to the engagement brunch because his mother asked him to. I think that’s commendable, especially since he doesn’t get along with his dad or Bret.”
Sadie’s forehead crinkled and she cocked her head. “Was he the tall guy in tight black jeans who didn’t have an ounce of fat on his muscular body? The one with a hint of a beard?”
“That’s Chains.”
“He’s hot. I noticed him, but he didn’t stay very long. Why the hell are you even debating this?”
“That’s the problem—he’s hot. No problem getting a woman, you know?”
“Bret was a major flirt. Is he like that?”
Autumn thought for a minute. “I don’t think so. He’s never looked at any women when we’ve been out. The hostess at Chianti’s was very pretty with a cute shape, and he didn’t give her a second look. Bret would’ve been all over her.”
“In that case, the only way you’re going to get to know him better is to go out with him. Just because a guy’s good-looking doesn’t mean he’s going to cheat. Mitch is handsome, and I don’t doubt him for a minute.”
“But Chains is a biker—I think that makes it different. Women are always throwing themselves at those guys.”
Sadie shook her head. “Look at some of the rockers or actors who’ve been in long-term marriages. A lifestyle choice doesn’t change who the person is inside.”
“That’s true. But how can I date my ex-fiancé’sbrother? That’s too weird, isn’t it?”
“I’ll admit it’ll be awkward at family functions.”
“Chains isn’t really involved with his family. I was with Bret for over a year, and I never even met him until the brunch.”
“Then you don’t have a problem. I say go for it. What’s the worst that can happen—you have great sex and awesome memories?”
“Or that I fall hard for him and suffer one of the worst heartbreaks of my life.”
“Could you keep it casual, like an arm’s distance thing and not get too emotionally involved?”
