Chapter 25
25
Autumn
Anton is calling me. Luckily I’m dressed and I’ve sorted out my crazy just-got-screwed-all-night hair. We’ve had breakfast and we’re getting ready to leave to go back to Stoney Creek. I don’t want to see my mom until the dust settles, but something tells me we may be shit out of luck on that one.
“Hey,” I answer. Resting my coffee cup on the kitchen bench and leaning back against it.
“Hey, sis. Where are you?”
I saw a missed call from him after Beau and I ate last night, so I texted him back to say we’d talk today.
“We’re staying at an Airbnb. I’m guessing you heard what happened?”
“Gran filled me in on the most part. Mom clearly doesn’t share the same sentiment over your nuptials.”
“Not even in the slightest,” I say, mouthing to Beau that it’s Anton. Beau’s clearing the dishes away and gives me a little smile.
“You know what she’s like, and this whole thing has come out of the blue. You should have told me.”
“I know. But as I said, it was spur of the moment and very romantic. Beau is really traditional, I thought they’d at least be happy I’ve settled down, and I didn’t marry a stranger. I might remind you that Gran wants to pick my husband, and your future wife!”
He groans. “You know how they are. And as much as I like Beau, you have to admit it’s pretty crazy. You’re not pregnant, are you?”
“No!” I gasp. It’s not the first time someone has said it but it’s still a shock when I hear it. “If you could see how happy I am, you wouldn’t be saying that.”
“Well, you left yesterday before I could get to see anything.”
I walk over to the little dining area and lower my voice. “Anton, Mom was going on about Michael. It just wasn’t fair. He’s not the stand-up guy she thinks he is. He cheated on me, and tried to gaslight me into thinking it was my fault. Who does that?”
“Yeah, I know,” he says. And I may not be able to see him, but I can tell there’s an annoyance to his tone. “The guy’s a douchebag. I don’t know what Mom is thinking. You know how she is with her control, she can’t help it. Not that it’s any excuse.”
“She definitely can’t help it, she proved that yesterday.”
“I also wouldn’t worry one iota about your ex,” he says.
“Wait, what did you do?” I know my brother enough to realize the underlying meaning to his tone.
“Let’s just say I dealt with him, and don’t think I won’t deal with Beau either if he hurts you.”
I turn my head to look over my shoulder where Beau is drying our breakfast dishes and putting them away. “He wouldn’t do that. He’s not like other guys.” I mean it with every word and every beat of my heart.
“Good, I’m glad to hear it. Then he’s got nothing to worry about.”
“Anton!” It’s my turn to give my brother a warning, not that it will do any good. Anton has always been the protective big brother who takes my love life a little too seriously, especially if I’ve been hurt in the process. I hope he didn’t do anything too drastic to Michael, not that he didn’t deserve it.
“Why don’t you two come over to Gran’s for lunch and we’ll talk about it.”
“Not if Mom is going to be there.”
“She isn’t, just me and Gran. Besides, she wants to talk to you about something.”
I bite into my lip for a moment while I think. “I’ll talk to Beau, but that should be fine. I mean, we did come all this way.”
“Text me when you’re on your way.”
“I will.”
“See you later.”
He hangs up and I turn to look at Beau. He’s making us another cup of coffee.
“You okay?” he asks.
“I’m good. Anton wants us to go and have lunch with him and Gran. According to him, she wants to talk to me without my parents.” I guess you don’t have to be a genius to work out what she could possibly want to talk to me about.
“We can do that.” He tilts his head. “If you want to?”
I shrug. “I guess. We have to get it over with sooner or later. That’s why we did this, right?”
I want him to say no. I want him to tell me that I’m wrong. That we did this because both of us want it. We want so much more than inheritances, money and keeping families happy. We want it because we love each other.
“I don’t want you getting upset again.” He brushes my hair off my face and I lean into his touch. Say it. Say that you want me too. Not just ‘friends with benefits’. “I don’t like it when you're sad.”
He never answers the question.
“Mom won’t be there, so I guess it should be fine.” I try not to let the disappointment show in my voice.
“I’m sorry she said the things she did. That wasn’t right.”
I shrug as I sit on the dining chair, pulling my knee up to my chest. “She is who she is and that won’t change. It doesn’t make it right, but I think she’s always had it in her head who I should marry and what she wants for me. Hence why I moved from Memphis so I could run my own life away from it. She can disapprove from afar, but it's nowhere near as bad as in your face.” I smile without humor. “I actually forgot for a second how awful she can be without even having to try.”
“It’s probably the best thing you ever did,” he says. “You’ve shown them you’re capable of running your own life, babe. You’re a successful business owner. You have your own home. You call the shots. They should be incredibly proud of that, and until they are, you’re doing the right thing by staying away. They need to appreciate you as much as you do them, and until then they’re the ones missing out. Well, your mom is, anyway.”
I blink back tears. “You really think so?”
He smiles, walking over as he brushes a knuckle over my cheek. “I know so.”
We stare at one another. The blood pumps in my veins and all of it is for him. All of this. I don’t give a shit anymore about my videography equipment or the money. My roof or my damn car repairs. I just want Beau. It’s safe with him. It’s calm. He makes everything better.
Holy shit, we’ve gone way past complicated.
??
My brother looks more stern than usual, dressed in his Armani dark blue suit and crisp white shirt. His dark hair is slicked back off his face and he’s wearing his reading glasses. He looks up from the newspaper when we enter. I didn’t expect him to get here before us, but when I saw his sports car out front, I realized that I’ve underestimated my brother and no doubt he’ll want to have a man-to-man chat with my new husband.
When he folds the newspaper closed and removes his glasses, sliding them into his jacket pocket, he stands taller than Beau.His eyes are on him when he says, “You made it.”
“Hello, Anton,” Beau says. He immediately sticks his arm out to shake hands.
Luckily, my brother takes it, then folds me into his arms for a hug. “Sister.”
“How are you?”
His lips twitch. “Better than you. I didn’t just run off and get hitched without telling everyone.” He flicks his eyes back to Beau. “Mom’s gonna ride this one out for as long as possible.”
Beau palms the back of his head. “I’m sorry. We…”
Anton waves a hand at him. “I’m not mad with you, either of you, but you also have to look at it from Mom’s point of view. No, she should not have brought Michael up, that guy is a piece of shit. She had no right to do that. But you’re her only daughter, and I’m sure Dad would have loved to give you away.”
“We plan on having a wedding,” Beau says before I can. “A bigger one than the first time around. We’re gonna do it soon.”
I blink at his words. They sound so sincere. I smile quickly. “We…”
“Didn’t want to live in sin?” Anton scoffs. “Pull the other one. You wanted the cash, and this was the quickest way to get it. And your bestie over here came to the party. I just hope you’re not in this to get my sister's money, or I will step in, Beau. I don’t care who you are or who your family is.”
My mouth opens but no sound comes out. I feel my shoulders tense. Anton sees right through it. He’s the only one saying what the others don’t have the guts to.
“I would never take her money,” Beau answers. His spine is straight as he squares up against my brother. They’re almost the same build, only Anton’s slightly taller. This side of Beau sends a shiver down my spine. I’ve never seen him so alpha. “I would never trick her into doing anything. She’s a smart, beautiful woman who knows what she wants. We’re friends, yes, but I also love her.”
Uh, what? Beau looks down at me and I feel the tears in my eyes. Does he mean it or is this just for my brother's sake?
“I love you, too,” I whisper.
He frowns slightly, like he can’t believe it either. Holy shit. He means it. He… He loves me ?
Anton looks between us. “Holy fucking Christ.”
“I’m gonna be straight with you.” Beau clears his throat, turning back to face my brother. “At first this plan did hatch out that way; your sister needed money and I offered to marry her to ensure no other asshole got to share her life or anything else. Your parents and grandmother have these ancient, ridiculous rules but Autumn didn’t want that. She can never be put in a box with a label on it.”
“Beau?” My voice is so faint, but I know he hears me.
His lips lift into a little smile. “But for me, it started long before that. I had feelings for her and didn’t tell her. I thought that if we got married and just pretended, I’d somehow make her fall madly in love with me, then I wouldn’t feel like such an asshat for lying to everyone. I couldn’t tell her how I really felt because the feelings I have for her are so strong, if she shot me down, I don't think I’d ever recover.”
I gape at him.
“I never thought she’d actually go through with it. Your sister is the most amazing woman I’ve ever met. It took me until recently to realize it. The idea that she could be married to some other guy, especially not one of her choice, made me livid. I’d rather be her fake husband than her marry for convenience or to keep up a longstanding family name.”
My brother’s hands move to his hips, and I don’t know if he’s going to come out swinging, or hug Beau. What I do know is that my entire body is rigid and my heart could burst out of my chest with his words.
“Jesus fucking Christ,” Anton cusses again.
“Oh, Beau. I feel the same way,” I choke out before he turns and I throw myself into his arms. “I didn’t want to tell you before we married either because I liked you so much and you were such a good guy. I just thought you were doing it to make me happy, not because you felt feelings for me. I think I’ve loved you since… Since… Maybe forever. I was just too dumb to realize that I had the guy right in front of my eyes all along.”
The revelations cause the tears to leak and stream down my face. Beau catches them by smoothing his thumbs across my cheeks, wiping them away. “You never have to worry about my feelings for you, Autumn Leaf. They’ve always been there. I was the one who couldn’t see straight because I didn’t feel worthy of your love,” he goes on. “I figured you’d think I was too young, that I hadn’t had enough experience to be in a committed relationship. All of those feelings would be valid, but completely untrue. I know this is different because the room spins whenever you walk in. I want to rip any man's throat out who even looks at you. I want you to be mine and only mine.”
I can’t believe he’s saying these words, and in front of my brother! “I am yours. From the time of the auction when we made that deal, I was falling for you. I didn’t let myself admit it because I was afraid. I’d been so hurt by my ex’s that I didn’t really think the perfect guy exists. But he does.” A sob escapes me. “He really does.”
He pulls me into his arms and I cry tears of happiness and relief into his shoulder. Leaning down, he kisses my hair and whispers in my ear, “I love you, baby girl. I’m sorry it took me so long to grow some balls.”
My brother scoffs. “I think I need to leave, let you two get reacquainted.”
I pull back, cupping Beau’s face as we kiss.
“No, I think I’ve heard quite enough,” my grandmother’s voice sounds from across the room. I freeze. Oh, no. How much did she hear?
We pull apart and Beau tugs me to his side.
My brother’s eyes meet mine. “I’m happy for you,” he says, sincerely. He pats Beau on the arm with a thud. “You too, even though you should’ve just come clean to each other in the beginning, I can see you’re crazy about one another, so for what it’s worth, you have my blessing.”
Beau nods. “Appreciate that, brother.”
“Hey, let’s not get crazy.” Anton smiles. He leans toward me and kisses my cheek. “Good luck.” He leaves the room and passes Grandma. Her eyes narrow toward him in a terse look that just makes him grin all the more.
My brother is a walking-talking cliche. His time will come, that I can guarantee.
“Grandma,” I begin, but she waves a hand at me.
“I heard everything.” Her tone isn’t mad, nor is it happy, and that scares me.
I swallow hard. Beau’s arm tightens around me. “I love her,” he says before I can say any more. “Nobody is going to stop us being together because I’m too young, or don’t have the right name or enough money. I’ll provide for her, she’s my wife, but she’s a very independent woman. That’s one of the things I love about her the most.” He gazes down at me, his beautiful blue eyes are soft, warm and inviting. “And that fierce little temper that rears its head every now and then.”
I smile tentatively, my eyes darting back to my grandma. It fades when her piercing eyes seek out mine. “And you, Autumn Violet Davenport. What do you want?”
I stare at her, my back ramrod straight. I know now. I know! I feel it in the very core of my being. Not just because Beau and I had a wild, wonderful night — and morning — together. Our connection was set in stone a long time before we ever got physical.
I love every single thing about him, and now he knows and he also feels the same way. His words still wash over me as I turn to gaze at him, smiling. “I love him, Grandma. He’s my husband and I’m his wife. I love him with all my heart.”
And finally, I feel free.