Page 65 of Chains
Chapter Fourteen
Autumn balanced acup of caffè mocha and a slice of chocolate chip pumpkin bread in her hands and weaved through the stream of customers until she reached the table in the corner. Just as she plopped down onto the paisley blue-and-green cushion of the wooden chair, she heard Sadie call out her name. Looking up, she waved her friend over, then pushed aside her purse and the basket of creamers to make room at the small table for two.
“It’s freezing outside,” Sadie said, setting her oversized handbag on a chair. “Sorry, I’m late—work has been crazy all week.” Then, she checked out Autumn’s coffee and sweet bread. “What did you get?”
“The usual. I’m so predictable.” Autumn rolled her eyes.
“How’s the pumpkin bread?” Sadie shrugged off her down coat.
“Delicious and decadent as always.” Autumn broke off a piece and popped it in her mouth.
“Looks good, but I’ll probably go with my usual—a double chocolate brownie. I’ll be right back.”
As Autumn waited for her friend to return, she glanced out the window and saw a motorcycle parked across the street. Her pulse raced as it had a tendency to do whenever she heard or saw a bike. Before she’d met Chains, Autumn hardly noticed motorcycles unless they were loud or cut in front of her in traffic.
Of course her thoughts were filled with Chains—that, too, had become a habit. What the hell was she going to do about him? As much as she rationalized the disaster her life would become if she pursued anything with him, her body and gut told her to throw caution to the wind. And what type of relationship would they have?Friends with benefits? I could never do that. And I’d probably be one of many he’d share his bed with. Damn, why can’t I find a normal guy? I thought I did. Bret seemed normal at first.But her gut twisted with that thought. Remembering the multitude of times that Bret had canceled their dates due to work or to hang out with his buddies came back with a startling clarity.And what about that time when he took me out for a romantic dinner for my birthday and all he did was look at his fucking phone.No, the truth was that Autumn had ignored the signs until she didn’t, and she’d dealt with the troubling aspects of their relationship, sometimes gracefully, often haltingly. Soon afterward, Bret had broken it off, and relief had been the lingering feeling from the fallout.
And there was Chains: rugged, sweet, brooding, and sexier than any man had the right to be.I’m just on the rebound. That’s it. But he’s so damn nice. Why does he have to be so nice and dangerous at the same time?
The roar of an engine followed by the slight rattle of the windows cut through her musings, and Autumn watched the man on the black Harley. He was decked out in black leather and denim, and by the way he pushed into traffic, she figured he was a Night Rebel—an outlaw…just like Chains.
“Those guys purposely rev their engines,” Sadie said as she put her cup of coffee piled high with whipped cream, along with a decadent-looking brownie down on the table.
“It’s their way of saying, ‘Fuck you’ to the citizen world,” Autumn replied, her gaze fixed on the disappearing rider.
Sadie laughed. “Where the hell didthatcome from? Have you been watching those documentaries on the History channel about the biker gangs?”
Autumn shifted her attention to Sadie. “I didn’t even know they had documentaries on outlaw clubs.”
“They do, but they’re pretty one-sided—I mean, the cops always come out as the super good guys and none of the bikers has one redeeming quality. So, what’s new with you?” Sadie scooped up some of the whipped cream with her finger.
“I bumped into Bret last night and he was with his ex-girlfriend.” Autumn smiled as the memory of Chains putting his brother in his place on her behalf flitted through her mind.
“What a bastard! Why aren’t you pissed as hell?”
Autumn shrugged. “I guess I’m dealing with it all pretty well.”
“Do you think he was cheating on you?”
Autumn shook her head. “No. I think he ran to her because Bret can’t be without female attention.”
“So he runs to this skank? I remember how obnoxious her mother was at the bridal shower. I hope you smashed that stupid cup and saucer she gave you as a gift. Believe me, you’re so much better off without him in your life.”
“I think so too,” she said.
Sadie chewed on a piece of brownie. “This is so good—it’s worth every calorie, every gram of carbs and sugar in it.”
Autumn laughed, then took a sip of her coffee.
“Where did you bump into him? God, I still can’t believe what a schmuck Bret is. I mean, who the fuck asks his brother to break up for him? I still can’t wrap my head aroundthatone.”
“I was at Chianti’s”—she put her elbows on the table and rested her chin in her hands—“with Bret’s brother.” Autumn groaned.
Sadie’s eyes sparkled. “This is getting good. What were you doing with his brother?”
“Having dinner,” she replied weakly.
“Duh… butwhywere you having dinner with his brother?”
