“It’s not just that,” I admit. “She’s all I know. She might be cruel at times, but it’s really just been the two of us. I don’t have much else.” Even if she wasn't there most of the time because I was moved from school to school, but I don’t add that part. I already feel pathetic. I think I like to cling to things too fast. I already want to jump on board with Ben and go full family mode with his family. Then look at Hunter. I was stuck to him after seeing one picture of him. I lay in bed this morning dreaming of babies and a wedding.
Ben sits back in his chair, releasing a deep breath. “I don’t want to make your life harder. We just want to be a part of it. Your grandmother—”
“I have a grandmother?!”
He smiles. “You two look so much alike. I can’t wait for you to meet her.”
“How do you know I’m not like my mother? How do you—”
“Autumn. I know you’re nothing like your mother. I’ve read and reread everything I could find out about you. I know for a fact you’re nothing like her.”
“Do you think if I were more like her she would have loved me?” I still at my own words, shocked that I said them out loud, and worse, to someone I don’t even know. Or maybe I said it because I feel like he’s the only person I’ve ever met who really knows what my mother is like.
Ben’s head falls and I watch him take a few breaths. “Autumn.” He says my name almost like he’s in pain.
“I should go.” I stand and Ben follows suit.
“Take this.” He hands me a card. It has all his business information on it. “Other side,” he tells me. I flip it over and written on the back are a few phone numbers and a house address.
“You call me anytime.” I reach into my bag and find a piece of paper and pen and scribble down my cell phone number then hand it to him.
“I promise I’ll call you. This is just a lot to take in. I do want to get to know you and your family,” I tell him.
“Our family,” he corrects, making me smile. I turn to walk out, but he grabs me, pulling me into a hug. “I can't change the past, but I can make the future for us if you let me.” I nod against his chest. He lets me go and I walk out of the coffee shop. The driver pulls up and I slip inside the car before he can get out to open the door for me.
“Home?” he asks.
“Yes, please.” He pulls away from the curb and I take a deep breath. I have to face my mother…and see if Hunter is still there. I wasn't really gone that long. I need to talk to him. Ask him about last night. Ask him if what my mother said is true.
All too soon I’m standing in the entryway of our home. I don’t see or hear anything. I start to head for Hunter’s room to see if he’s still asleep but pause when I hear his voice. I follow it to Neil’s office. The door is standing open.
“Knock it off, Dad. I told you I didn't want to meet the gold digger’s mini-me. Drop it. Besides, I’m seeing someone.”
I feel all the blood drain from my face. I stand there feeling paralyzed.
“Are you still drunk?” I hear Neil ask Hunter. My stomach turns. He was drunk? Oh my god, maybe I made him cheat on his girlfriend. He’s going to hate me. My eyes water. This is all a train wreck.
I take off toward my room, then shut the door and lock it behind me. It’s then I notice I still have Ben’s card in my hand. I look down at it.
I dig through my bag and find my phone. It barely rings one time before Ben’s voice is filling my ear.
“I changed my mind. I want to come with you, but I have to be back for Christmas. I promised Neil I’d be here.”
“I’ll make sure you’re back. When do you want to leave?”
“Now.”
Chapter Six
HUNTER
I rub my hands over my eyes, trying to clear the sleep out of them and trying to clear my mind. My father ran from the room a moment ago when his wife yelled from down the hall. I rolled my eyes. She’s always dramatic and I’m not playing into it. Because my mind has other places it wanted to be.
Like on the angel that entered my dreams last night. My cock grows hard thinking about it. “Fuck,” I growl, leaning back in my chair. I swear I can smell her on me. It felt so fucking real. I’d even woken up naked and I could see cum all over my dick. I must have had a wet dream. Jesus, I haven’t done that since I was thirteen.