“You made it,” Gabby said. Standing, she wrapped me in a quick hug.
“I’m not letting a little family drama and a breakup keep me from the most boring hour of my life.”
She grinned, but she knew I was putting on a front. The truth was, I’d ignored her when she knocked on the door and had dodged her phone calls. I knew she understood but was concerned.
“Let me take you for coffee after class?” she asked.
“I’d like that. I need to get out,” I said, shrugging my shoulders. Her eyes stared behind me and my heart stopped. I turned, and there he was. Standing at the bottom of the lecture hall, staring at me, judging my reaction.
Smoothing my features, I sat down and began taking my things out. When I looked up, I found him sitting in the front row. That stung a little, but maybe he was moving on. I couldn’t blame him. He had shown up every day, left little notes, texted, called. He’d done it all. I wasn’t ready to hear him out. I needed time alone to figure things out before I confronted my problems head-on. Maybe I was too late.
I shoved that thought to the back of my mind when the professor walked in. I could feel Gabby’s stare, but I looked forward, writing every word, closing the world off.
As promised, after class Gabby reminded me about the coffee shop. Again, I agreed. I knew I needed to get out, but I really didn’t want to. To my surprise, Liam was lingering at the door when I walked out. He stared at me, a million words in his gray eyes. My God, I wanted to believe him.
“Hi,” I said as Gabby and I walked by.
“Autumn, wait,” he said, jogging up to me. Gabby practically held me in place, her eyes pleading with me. “Can we go somewhere and talk?”
“I actually have plans with Gabby.”
“It can wait,” Gabby said. Her eyes darted toward us. He looked at me, hopeful.
“I don’t think you want to hear what I have to say right now, Liam.”
He ran his hand down his face, frustrated. His eyes drooped with exhaustion. While I hated knowing I was the cause of that, I hated that I was the one put in this situation.
“Anything. You just ran out on me. Are we…Are you done?”
I shook my head, clearing my thoughts. “I don’t know. I just need to figure some things out.” I started walking away, but he was persistent.
“Then let me figure it out with you. I’ll find out about Josie. I’ll help you find out about your brother…just please don’t shut me out anymore.”
I couldn’t leave him hanging anymore. “I’m still not sure you didn’t tell her. Like I said, Liam, I have plans with Gabby.”
I kept walking, but much faster than before. Gabby caught up to me, looking at me with concern. I knew what she was thinking, but I didn’t want to hear it. If I gave in now, I would never forgive myself. I would never fully trust him. I would never know.
“I’m not giving up, Autumn!” he shouted. I didn’t turn around. I could only imagine his distraught face, onlookers, and me in the center of the drama.
Gabby ordered our mochas while I sat inside at a table near a window. The mist made it hard to focus on the people passing, but I had to make sure I knew if Liam was busting in at any time.
She handed me my cup. Blowing on the lid, I kept watching out the window.
“Are you hoping he shows up or stays away?” Gabby asked. I thought about that for a moment.
“All of the above.”
“He didn’t do it, Autumn. I want you to know that as your friend…”
“Then how did she find out, Gabby? That’s what’s bothering me. I have to know, or else I just won’t be able to let this go. It’ll always nag me.”
“I can’t answer that, but we’ll figure it out, okay?” She gave me a sympathetic look before taking a sip. “Is it true?”
I toyed with my cup, sliding it between my hands. I was naïve to think I could keep this to myself. She wouldn’t push me, but she deserved to know, and deep down I knew I needed people who knew my story and supported me.
I leaned over my coffee. “My dad was abusive. In more ways the one. To all of us.” I spilled my entire life story to Gabby. The abuse, high school, working jobs to get out of there, my brother’s depression, the wreck, the insurance money I took without telling before I split. She tried to remain neutral, but her jaw fell a few times.
“I knew you were fucked up, Autumn, but damn.” I shrugged, falling back in my chair. “But you’re the strongest person I know.”
“Thanks,” I murmured. There was that sympathy I’d always dreaded. Everyone meant well, but a damaged person wants to be normal. A whole piece.
“I’ll help you figure it out. There’re always a bunch of people at the house. Tyler hears so much gossip. It’ll all come out.”
“I hope so.”
“But Autumn, in the meantime, don’t shut everyone out. I’m not the people from your past. No one here is. Well, maybe Josie.”
“You’re right. I’ll work on that.” The mention of her name made my blood boil and go numb at the same time. She was every bully I had ever encountered, wrapped into one evil, and unfortunately, gorgeous package.
When I got back to my room, I was alone again. I was starting to wonder if Josie had left with my dad, becoming his new victim. I shook those mean
