Thirty-One
“SURPRISE!”
I covered my mouth, hoping I wasn’t as bad an actor as I thought I was. Eight people filled the foyer, engulfed in balloons and tacky streamers. And there he stood, in the middle of it all. Walking toward him he pulled me into a hug, placing a soft kiss on my cheek.
“Happy birthday, babe,” he said.
“Oh my God, guys! You shouldn’t have!” My voice was an octave higher than normal and their faces immediately fell. Tyler popped the back of Liam’s head.
“You told her, you dick,” Tyler said as a chorus of booing began.
“Fucking whipped!”
He shrugged his broad shoulders. “I couldn’t keep it from her. She doesn’t like surprises,” he said, winking at me.
As if they could read our minds the music started, and everyone congregated in the living room. Liam grabbed my hand, pulling me to the kitchen. As soon as we were alone, his hands were all over me.
“I know I’ve seen every inch of you, but…damn.” He let out a low whistle and I smiled, loving what I was doing to him.
“This old thing? I wear it to sleep every night. You’ve never seen it?”
“Very funny.” His lips crashed into mine with need. Everything I felt before melted away. The weird thing about my insecurities was that it was only an asshole when I was alone. With Liam, he made me forget all my worries. “You look beautiful, Autumn. Seriously.”
“Thank you,” I said against his mouth, grinning as he pulled me closer.
A loud cough came from our right; reluctantly, I separated from him. It was Gabby, staring at me knowingly. “I know you guys have gone a whole five hours without having your tongues down each other’s throats, but there’s a party going on in here!”
“It’s your fault, Gabby. I mean, look at her.” He held his hands out dramatically. I swatted at them, embarrassed, before pulling him to the makeshift dance floor in the living room. Tyler handed me a drink and I tossed it back quickly as I swayed to the music.
Two hours and four drinks later, Tyler was sucking the helium from all my balloons while Gabby laughed. Smiling, I nuzzled my nose in Liam’s neck, swaying. At that point, that was all I could do. We looked like two middle schoolers, awkwardly attempting their first dance. I hugged him closer and he tightened his grip on me. Nothing else mattered. He was all I wanted.
“Okay, okay, before we get too drunk and forget gifts.”
“Too late. I’m drunk,” Tyler piped in, lying across the couch. Gabby picked up the closest pillow and chucked it at him. He laughed without moving.
Gabby handed me a small bag, grinning. “This is from me.”
I opened it, revealing a small box. Gasping, I pulled out the charm bracelet. Each charm was custom made. Our school logo, a coffee cup, and a tiny book. I wrapped my arms around her tiny frame.
“I love this!”
“I kind of wanted to do this alone, but Gabby said no.” Liam laughed nervously as he rubbed the back of his neck. I smiled appreciatively at him. My foggy mind was running a million miles an hour when I opened the small jewelry box. To my relief, it was a small locket with our pictures on each side.
My bottom lip poked out as I tried to refrain from emotion. Alcohol never helped. A tear fell down my cheek and he caught it, wiping it from my face. I was overwhelmed by the love I felt in this room tonight.
“I love it, Liam.” I placed a small kiss on his mouth. Surprisingly, he looked embarrassed, which was almost impossible for him.
“Did you losers actually think you could actually not invite me to a party?” And that voice changed everything. Josie wore a smug look on her face as she looked around the room, her eyes narrowed in on me.
“It’s actually not a party. This is for Autumn’s birthday.” Gabby managed to get the words out of her mouth with a lot of blinking and slurring.
“I heard. And I got her a gift. It has to be sentimental, right?”
I looked to Liam, noticing his hands were balled at his side, ready to drag her out at any moment.
“You need to leave,” he finally said through gritted teeth.
“Not before I give her this present. I went through a lot of trouble, Liam. Have some respect.”
She looked to the foyer. “James? She’s ready for her surprise.”
Reaching in her pocket, she grabbed a folded piece of paper. I watched in horror as she unfolded it, smirking at me. My face was smiling back at me on the poster. It read ‘Have you seen this girl?’
I grabbed Liam’s arm, holding on for support as a disgruntled middle-aged man came walking through the door. He wore a shirt with a pocket over his right chest, jeans, and a stark reminder that anywhere I went, he would always be there.
“Autumn?” Liam checked on me, concerned as my nails dug into his arm.
“Can you believe this poor man has been looking for you for months? You could have at least called, Autumn. I mean, at the very least not run off with every cent he had after half his family died.”
“What’s she talking about?” Gabby asked, looking at me.
“That’s my dad,” I said. An audible gasp could be heard around the room as everyone looked between us uncomfortably. Undoubtingly waiting for me to explain.
“Show’s over, Josie. Get the fuck out and don’t come back. You’re banned,” Liam said, and the guys around the room murmured in agreement. Although they had no idea what was going on, they knew she had crossed a line you never cross.
With all the strength and balance, I could muster I stormed to the kitchen, not wanting to give anyone a show. A few footsteps followed me, but I didn’t turn until I was out of earshot.
“What. Are. You.
