Settling back onto the couch, I crossed my arms against my chest and turned away from her, focusing back on the game on the television.
“You really are, just so you know.”
“Am not,” I sulked.
“Call her. I have no idea what’s going on in this game anyway and to be honest, I’m whipped after this exciting day,” she said sarcastically. “We can hang again tomorrow. Or do you need to head back?”
“I can stay, Sadie.”
“Good. Now, let me show you your room and then you can call your sweetheart.”
Following her to a room down the hall, I mumbled, “I’m going to regret this.”
“Good night, big brother.”
“Night, Sadie.”
In the small room, I took note of the dresser and the full-sized bed that reminded me of Autumn’s room and I immediately felt guilty for ignoring her message earlier. The bed screeched as I sat on the edge and pulled my phone from my back pocket.
I contemplated whether to call or message her, but I took the chance and pressed the dial button on her contact. It rang three times and I worried I was waking her up. With a quick glance at the clock on the nightstand, it read 10:00 p.m. so there was a chance this call could go either way.
“Colton?” Autumn yelled from the other line as if she was covering her opposite ear with her hand to hear better.
“Hey. I just wanted to call you back,” I said. The telltale sign of music in the background became clear.
“What? Hey, hold on a second.” Her breathing increased as the music settled down and then suddenly, there was complete silence.
“Autumn?”
“Shit. Sorry I dropped my phone. Hey. Hi. How are you?”
“Have you been drinking?” It was a stupid question to ask because after the few times Autumn and I had gone out, I knew she rarely drank more than one or two drinks. And it was very clear she was on the other side of tipsy.
“Maybe…Well, I was at the bar helping Alex and when I messaged you this afternoon, I was not drinking. And now I am because it’s karaoke night.”
“This afternoon? I just got your message like fifteen minutes ago.”
“Really? Well, damn. I swear I sent it when the inspector left your house.”
Curiosity got the best of me as I laid back on the bed. “What were you doing at the house, Princess?”
“Um. . .missing you?”
“Uh huh.”
Off in the distance, I could hear a group of people calling Autumn’s name and it warmed something deep inside me. Autumn claimed to not have any friends besides her sisters, but there were definitely more than three voices shouting at her to return to the fun.
“Hey, I’ll let you get back,” I said. “I should be home soon.”
“Really?” she asked, her voice perking up.
“Really.”
Her voice quieted as she asked, “For real this time?” and I felt like an ass.
“Yeah, baby. For real.”
“Oh good. Because I have a surprise for you.”
“Is it your pussy?”
“Colton!” she exclaimed and I caught myself laughing and feeling more carefree than I had in a long time.
“Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.”
“It’s more than. . .that. Though she missed you, too.”
“I’m going to fuck you until you can’t walk when I see you again.”
“Promises, promises. The book club is calling me,” she paused before adding, “Don’t be a stranger, Colton.”
Before I could say more, she ended the call and I was left feeling better than I had in a long time.
For the first time, it seemed like my life was going down a path that I could follow and embrace.
As I got ready for bed, thankful for the toothbrush and toothpaste Sadie had left for me in the bathroom across the hall, I wondered if the woman that once owned this place was smiling down, knowing that her children had finally come together. Not that I knew her very well, but I suspected that our mom would have loved Autumn. She was strong, smart, and kind.
And I loved her.
