“What?” My cheeks flush red. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“That’s quite unfortunate,” he says. “It’s your signing bonus…”
End of Episode 20
Episode 21
Autumn
“We’ve now arrived at our destination,” Ryder’s pilot announces over the speakers as we land in a pitch-black Miami.
The flashing lights from a distant cell tower are the only sign of life outside the window.
As he steers the plane down the tarmac, I press pause on the seventh episode of the ‘Stories with the Mob’ podcast and slip into the bathroom.
What the hell are you doing? I question my reflection.
It’s obvious that the ‘Autumn’ in the mirror is utterly different from the woman I was a few weeks ago.
Hell, even days ago.
That woman had never experienced an earth-shattering orgasm with nothing more than a man’s mouth between her thighs, never felt a pleasure so raw and primal that she was forced to drop all her inhibitions.
Then again, that Autumn was still married to an asshole.
Splashing my face with water, I attempt to shake away the two words from Ryder that have run on a loop in my brain since he left.
“The latter…”
According to every podcast episode and article that I’ve devoured during this flight, they all say the same thing about dating a man like him.
“Domineering.” “Incapable of love.” “Not worth the inevitable heartache.” “Get out while you can…”
Stop thinking about it, Autumn. Not now.
As I’m pressing a towel against my cheeks, my phone buzzes against the sink.
Unknown number.
I hit ignore, but it vibrates again.
“Hello?” I answer.
“I’m sorry to call you at this hour, Autumn.” It’s a female with a high-pitched voice. “Please don’t hang up on me. Please.”
“Who is this?”
“It’s me,” she says as if we’re long-lost friends. “Heidi.”
I shrug. “I don’t know anyone by that name.”
“I’m Nate’s girlfriend. We met briefly at Resno’s a little while ago, remember?”
Right. I roll my eyes. “What do you want, Heidi?”
“I’m at the hospital with him.” She sniffles. “Some thug attacked him when he got home. He’ll have to breathe through tubes for weeks.”
What?
“I hate to ask you this…” she says, still sniffling. “Do you know anyone who may be angry enough to do something like this to him? Besides you, of course.”
“No,” I say. “No, I don’t.”
“Okay, well…” She lets out a breath. “The doctors say he should heal fine with time, but they’re asking me medical questions that I don’t have answers to. Can you help me?”
I say nothing.
I’m resisting the urge to hang up in her face.
I don’t owe Nate anything.
“Autumn?” She clears her throat. “Do you know his blood type?”
“B-positive.”
“Is he on any current medications?”
“Sectral for his blood pressure, and Topiramate for his migraines.”
“Thank you. Has he ever had any serious health issues?”
“Just a subpar cock that he couldn’t keep to himself.” I shrug. “Oh, and Compulsive Liar Syndrome.”
“Ugh, look.” She groans. “I’m trying to be cordial here. I love him to pieces, so there’s no need to toss jealous insults my way.”
“Excuse me?”
“I know you’re jealous of me,” she says. “I’d feel the same if I were in your shoes, losing the man who gave me everything.”
I blink a few times, certain that I’m imagining this entire conversation.
“You could at least play nice since he’s in such a fragile state.” She’s still talking. “You have yet to ask me what type of pain he’s in or anything about his injuries.”
“Because I honestly don’t care.”
“Exactly,” she says. “You’re beyond selfish, just like he said. No wonder he left you.”
“He was fucking us both at the same time,” I say, unable to ‘play nice’ anymore. “He mentioned wanting a baby the night before he was with you at Odette’s. Literally, the night before.”
She sucks in a breath.
“Did he ever tell you that?” I ask. “Or, how about how he fought like hell to prevent the divorce?”
“You’re—” She pauses. “You’re just saying crazy things.”
“I have no reason to be jealous of you, Heidi. As a matter of fact, I feel quite sorry for you, because you actually believe he loves you back.”
“He does love me…” Her voice is a whisper.
“He only wants you because you’re naïve and young.” I recite a strand of my mother’s old words verbatim. “If you want to save yourself years of wasted time, leave him while you can.”
I end the call before she can respond, and then I block her number.
That part of my life is over now.
“Miss Jane?” The flight attendant suddenly knocks on the door. “Miss Jane, it’s time to deplane.”
“I’ll be out in a second.” I look myself over and adjust my necklace one last time before twisting the knob.
“Is there any way I could get a bottle of—” My sentence stalls on my lips when I see Ryder.
What the…
“Did you enjoy the flight?” he asks, looking me up and down.
“I thought you weren’t coming.”
“Change of plans,” he says, stepping closer. “I stayed onboard after takeoff. I’m a bit disappointed that you didn’t come out to see me once.”