Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 41105 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 206(@200wpm)___ 164(@250wpm)___ 137(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 41105 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 206(@200wpm)___ 164(@250wpm)___ 137(@300wpm)
And yet, I wasn’t excited about the performance or the limited future options ahead.
While my classmates were enthused about their college and gap year plans, I hadn’t accepted any of the offers extended to me.
I was foolishly planning a life of adventure with Nate, and he was supposed to meet me, but his flight was delayed.
When the knock came on my door a little past midnight, hours before my performance, it wasn’t him. Instead, there were customs agents and four Canadian police officers with handcuffs.
There was no use in denying what I’d done; I was guilty as all hell.
The second chair violinist played my solo that afternoon.
A dignitary said a few kind words on my behalf while I languished in custody, and the justice sealed my record as soon as I went home.
The government labeled me “persona non grata,” and deemed me unwelcome to ever return.
The highway continues to lead me down memory lane until I return to the neighborhood that holds my Airbnb. I circle the familiar streets several times to see if Ryder’s men will appear, but I’m still alone.
Parking, I rush inside and immediately undress before stepping into the shower.
I turn the water to the hottest setting, letting the streams punish me for what feels like forever.
When I’ve served my sentence, I step out and notice my phone buzzing against the vanity with a call from an unknown number.
“Look,” I say, “I was serious about not wanting to—”
“I only have two minutes.” It’s Kylie. “I’d never forgive myself if I didn’t let you have this stuff, but I couldn’t bear to drop it off at your address because—”
“I am so sorry.” I can’t help but interrupt. “I should’ve heard you out and done what you asked.”
“I left it at the closest Walmart instead.” She doesn’t accept my apology. “It’s in the pet food aisle, under the brand of bags that we used to buy for my Aunt Sarah. Do you remember the name of it?”
“Yes.”
“Good, go get it now.” Her voice is firm. “Oh, and Autumn?”
“Yeah?”
“Keep a bag packed in your car for whenever you come to your senses and leave him.”
She hangs up without another word, and I dress quickly.
Heeding her warning, I stuff a few outfits into a duffle bag and step outside to head to Walmart.
Shit…
Two cars that weren’t there before are sitting at the back of the lot. Their lights aren’t on, but their engines are softly humming.
Nothing has changed.
Ignoring them, I toss my bag into the trunk and speed away.
Several minutes later, I slide my hand under a bag of Paw Paw’s Puppy Chow.
Feeling the edges of a thickly bound binder, I place my bag on the shelf and subtly slide it inside.
Then, I push an empty cart toward the wine aisle. I need to buy enough to keep my mind buzzed for at least a week.
I grab four of their strongest reds and two premixed sangria blends. As I’m placing a box of cheap Merlot into the cart, another unknown number calls.
“I just picked it up, Kylie,” I say. “I’ll be sure to—”
“Hello, Autumn.” Ryder’s voice ends my sentence, and I suck in a breath.
“How exactly did I cost you your best friend if you were expecting her call?”
“Because you—” I shake my head. “As much as I’d love to explain, we don’t have ‘tell-all’ conversations as you said, so I’ll keep it to myself.”
He lets out a low laugh that sends a flush of warmth through my body. An image of him fucking me in the bar suddenly flashes in my mind, but I shake it away.
“How do I make it clearer that I don’t want to talk to you for a while?”
“You could come tell me in person.”
“I’m busy.”
“I can see that.” There’s a smile in his voice. “You deserve to drink much better brands than the ones you have in your cart. Meet me on aisle ten.”
End of Episode 9
Inevitable
EPISODE 10
Autumn
Ryder looks completely out of place in the cereal aisle, and if I wasn’t suffering from mental overload, I’d be sprinting for the exit.
“Hello, Autumn.” His eyes meet mine. “Are you planning to come closer to me?”
“I can address you just fine from here.”
“I’d prefer it if you didn’t.” He picks up a box of Cap’n Crunch, but I don’t move any closer.
“I don’t want to talk to you for a while.” I keep my voice firm. “I haven’t had a day to myself since I did the Miami job for you, and I feel like my hours are running on acid and speed. I don’t even know how many days have gone by because it all feels like one never-ending fucking saga.”
He arches a brow.
“I meant what I said about enjoying the orgasms so far, but I can’t be with another guy who insists on keeping secrets, a guy who is having me surveilled at every turn, a guy who literally refuses to tell me the simplest things so…” I pause. “Consider this my two weeks’ notice for working under you.”