“Sounds good. We packed a bag like you said to,” Adrian says. “We just need to stop by the hotel and get it.”
After that quick detour, we’re on the road to our destination. Twenty minutes later, I pull into the entrance.
“Fancy,” Trevor says.
Autumnoohswhen the building comes into sight.
Since this is a special occasion, I reserved a room at a resort on the outskirts of town. It’s supposed to be one of the best places to stay in the area, and there are a lake and trails on the property, but I doubt we’ll see much outside of our room.
“How was your show in Whitman last weekend?” Trevor asks Autumn as the guys and I carry our bags in. “I saw the video clips online. It looked great.”
“Yeah, thanks goes to Garrett for recording it,” she says. “It went well. There was a good crowd, and they invited me to come back again next month.”
“Just don’t let the new place and Rusty’s keep you so busy that you can’t come up here,” Adrian says.
Autumn smiles at the two of them. “Not a chance.”
“How’s your job going, Garrett?” Trevor asks.
“Fine. Last month’s new hire caught on quickly, so things are going smoothly.”
“Good to hear.”
“Oh, I forgot to tell you,” Autumn says to Trevor and Adrian. “We ran into Lindsey at the grocery store last week.”
Trevor makes a face like he smells something bad.
“Duke and Garrett had gone off together to the meat department when I crossed paths with her. As she and I were saying hello and being pleasant to each other, these two —” Here, she gestures to me and Garrett. “They came up, with Duke mentioning your names and how much you like his chili before he saw who I was talking to.”
“I’ll bet she was glad to know that we’re all still together,” Trevor says.
“Yeah,” Autumn says, her voice dripping with sarcasm, “I’ll bet she was so happy for me.”
“She cause any trouble?” Adrian asks. I give him a look, my hand balling into a fist at the mere thought of someone giving Autumn trouble. “Oh, yeah. Dumb question. Who’s going to cause trouble with Duke standing there.”
At our room, which is at the end of a hall, I unlock the door and hold it open for Autumn to go in first. Moreoohsandahhsfollow. The guys seem impressed with the place, too. There’s a giant bed, a spacious walk-in shower, a fireplace, and through a sliding door, we have a semi-private outdoor area that looks out to the woods.
“Very nice, Duke,” Adrian says.
“Did you get a raise, big guy?” Trevor asks.
“In fact, I did, and you know I do other security work too.”
“I thought maybe Club Red hired you to dance instead of guard the door,” Trevor says.
“Very funny,” I say, “but I do all of my dancing at home for a very special audience.”
“You never!” Autumn cries. “Now I want to see that.”
The four of them laugh, while I just smile. I was joking, of course, but if Autumn asks me to do something, I’ll do it for her. Not here or now, though. “Maybe you two should dance for old time’s sake,” I tell Trevor and Adrian as a diversion. “Garrett, let’s check out the patio.”
“Excellent timing,” Garrett says, turning to follow me. “I don’t want to see them dance either.”
Outside, I sink down in one of the chairs on the patio. “May as well give them a few minutes alone, since it’s been a while.”
“This is a really nice place, though your back patio arguably has a better view,” he says.
“Yeah, I like my house, but it’s always good to get away, too.”