Chapter 33
Autumn
I t has been two weeks since we got home from Sawyer's family home. Life has returned to normal, but when we are not at work, seeing friends, or catching up on life, we are fucking. Each time is hotter than the last. Everything has become more intense since we said the words I love you .
Sawyer is heading home for a few days because he needs to sort some stuff out at his place. He hasn't really been home since we got back from his parent's house. My house already feels empty without him in it. I didn't know him six months ago, but now, when he isn't around, it feels like I am missing something crucial. Alice is coming over tonight to hang out with Jed and me. We are long overdue for a huge catch-up. We still see each other most days, but we haven't had the chance to spend hours together because Alice has been busy with her new job. She has completely changed direction in her career and is now working as a secretary for a sports marketing company, so we have lots to catch up on.
Alice: Hey, Queen! Are we having Chinese, tacos, or Indian tonight?
Me: Obviously tacos… and beer!
Alice: What happened to rum?
Me: Oh, come on, you have got to have beer with tacos.
Alice: I'll be over at seven.
It is just before seven, and I am in the kitchen, getting plates sorted for dinner. The door knocks and Jed barks.
"Hey, bitch. Let me in. The rain is hammering!" I can hear Alice yelling through the door as I am walking through the house.
"Coming!" I shout back.
"I hope not, you massive hoe! Now hurry up!"
Stuffing tacos in my mouth I start talking to Alice about her new job. "Tell me all about it. How the hell did that happen? Corporate babe, to unemployed bum, to secretary in the sports field. You fucking hate sports! Only you would be that insane,"
"There is honestly no big story. I applied for tons of jobs, and this is the one that hired me, and I may just change my mind about sports, yet! These men are unbelievably hot!" she fans her face in response. "Hot and arrogant, unfortunately! They're only good to look at. Men that drip arrogance are an immediate turn-off."
"Ahhhh, so you're only in it for the dick!" I cackle. I don't have a graceful laugh and Alice gets the full wicked witch version of it.
"And.. talking of hot sportsmen.. Sawyer's brother, Carter.. He is your kind of hot! You would fall over yourself. I thought as soon as I saw him that he'd be a good match for the whirlwind that is Alice Barretta. He plays for The Saltern Glass. Maybe dating an athlete is on the cards after all."
"The Saltern, what now? Bitch, no. Keep your boyfriend's brother away from me. If he's related to Sawyer, and he plays hockey, he's going to be trouble. At least one of us needs to remain sane in this friendship. In the almost three decades that I've known you, I didn't once think that it would be me, yet here we are!" Jed is sprawled across the floor as he wags his tail and lifts his head up to look at Alice.
"See, even Jed agrees with me. Don't you, boy?"
"Ha, you're hilarious." I roll my eyes at my best friend and my dog. I swear to god, they team up on me purposely.
"So, how is it going with Loverboy?" she says, and I can't help the smile that stretches across my face. I go red at the sheer mention of Sawyer, and I can't help my body's response.
Oh, look at you, getting all embarrassed. Someone is in loveeee." Alice makes kissing sounds like the twelve-year-old she is.
I fan myself.
"Things are, well, really great." I press my fingertips to my cheeks and feel the warmth that has spread across my face.
"He is perfect. He is a very intelligent man. He looks after me. The sex is incredible." I giggle like a teenager.
"Yesss, we're on to the good stuff now!" Alice rubs her hands together.
"Honestly, he is so damn attentive. There isn't a single part of me that he doesn't adore. I have never felt so wanted, cared for, or loved. I waited my entire life for a love like this. He is outwardly this big, scary, dangerous-looking man, but he is putty in my hands. He would do anything for me and doesn't care who knows it."
"Hello. Yes. Obviously, he loves, wants, and cares about you. You have eyes, don't you? You're a knockout. You're also one of the best fucking women on this planet. Why do you think I stick around? Everyone that comes near you is better for it. It was only a matter of time before a hot man came in and swept you off your feet. You might have thought that you'd be single forever, but that was never going to happen. I know you. You've gone from nothing to everything. You'll probably be married within a year."
I laugh out loud at the last part.
"Absolutely not, Ali. Don't be ridiculous." What I say, however, is not what I think because I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought about marrying Sawyer. I know it's ridiculous. We've known each other for all of five minutes. I am not an idiot. I know that Sawyer would never want to get married, and I am okay with that. Having him with me is all I need.
"I have thought about asking him to move in, though. I have got used to him being here, and I hate it when he isn't around."
"Well, what is stopping you from asking him?" Alice mumbles through bites of taco.
"I don't want to feel like I'm pushing him into it. I worry that he'll feel obliged to say yes." Before Alice has the chance to respond, the front door opens, and Sawyer comes into the lounge.
"Hey!" I beam at him. Shooting a glare at Alice as she smirks at me.
"What are you doing here? Not that you can't be here. Obviously. I didn't think you'd be around for a few days."
"I missed you. I hope it's okay that I'm here." He bends down to kiss me on the cheek, and I feel the wet and cold on his skin, but I warm from having his lips on me.
"I tried to call, but there was no answer. I forgot that Ali was coming round."
"Don't mind me. I was about to leave anyway," she replies. Liar.
"Don't be silly. Stay over. It is horrible outside anyway. I don't want to interrupt girl's night. I am going to grab a shower anyway and head to bed. It's been a long day."
"Goodnight, girls." Sawyer squeezes my thigh before heading up the stairs. His number one fan, Jed, swiftly following behind.
"Goodnight to you too, traitor." I pat his head as he walks past me.
I hear Sawyer laughing.
"Well.. I don't know what you are worrying about. I'm pretty sure he thinks he's living here anyway. He's been gone for what? A day? The man can't keep away from you and that ass! Autumn, just ask the man to move in. I think he's waiting for the invitation!"
A couple of hours later, after the longest catch-up known to man we are both ready for bed. Ali fell asleep on the couch, so I give her a shake.
"Ali, it's late. I'm going to bed. The spare room is made up for you. It will be way comfier than the couch." Alice hits out at me, half asleep, and grumbles something inaudible. I shake her again. "Ali!" I whisper shout. She wakes up this time. Looking exactly like a bear coming out of hibernation early, she shoots me a scowl. She looks very cute when she is half asleep. "Bitch, get your ass up to bed. You'll be complaining that your back hurts in the morning."
"Fine, fine," she huffs out and we head up the stairs at the same time. Alice stomping her way up the stairs behind me.
"Goodnight, Ali," I whisper as I get to the top of the stairs. I don't want to wake Sawyer, so I keep my voice low.
Alice reaches out to poke me in the back as I reach my bedroom door.
"Just ask him to move in already," she says and gives me a massive hug before plodding down the hall to bed.
I crawl into bed next to Sawyer and snuggle up to his side. I put my cold feet on his leg, and he grumbles.
"Ice queen," he mumbles at me as he is pulled from sleep by the cold. Sawyer reaches round to slap my ass cheek. "You'll pay for that tomorrow, Sugar."
I give a half-suppressed laugh.
"Turn around and let me keep you warm." He turns over in the bed, stretching one arm across my pillow and tapping the empty space next to him on the bed. So, I back up into the space, feeling the warmth of his body against the coolness of mine. He leans down and kisses my cheek before settling into his pillow.
"I missed you." He says as he rubs my thigh to generate warmth. "Being here feels normal now."
"It definitely does." I hum. Being here is the most natural thing in the world.
After a few moments of silence, I whisper, "Move in with me." But of course, he doesn't reply, as he is happily sleeping again, with me in his arms. He is breathing heavily into the nape of my neck, his warm breath tickling me with each exhale.
I'm going to ask Sawyer to move in with me tomorrow. I can't stand it when he isn't here. I've grown used to him being in my space, and I don't want him to be anywhere but here.