3
AVERY
It’s been a matter of hours, and I’ve already been kicked out of the house. Not literally, but Mama all but shoved me out the door and told me to go take a walk. More specifically, she told me to head into town and go and say hi to Autumn.
That’s how I’ve found myself wandering down Main Street, browsing the shop windows with a baseball cap pulled down low, marveling at how much everything has changed. I’m not quite ready to face everyone in town just yet.
Up ahead, I see the sign for Chapters and Crumbs proudly sitting out on the sidewalk with some white wrought-iron tables and chairs. Nerves assail me, and I come to a stop, blowing out a heavy breath.
Autumn and I used to be best friends, but we lost touch about two years after I left town. Yes, I was busy trying to build my career and get my music heard, but there was also a part of me that couldn’t handle the reminder of what I’d left behind. Not when she was so close to him.
For a moment, I consider turning and heading home, lying to Mama and telling her we had a great catch-up, but I know that won’t fly. She has a way of getting the truth out of me with a single look. Besides, I can’t go on avoiding Autumn, or the Wilde family, the entire time I’m in town.
Standing taller, I put one foot in front of the other until I reach the front door. I allow myself a moment to gather my thoughts, to push away the nerves one last time before stepping inside.
A soft chime rings out above my head as I push open the door, and I’m hit by the smell of freshly ground coffee and the sugary goodness of cake. I feel the high of a sugar rush without taking a bite.
I remember when this place used to belong to Mrs. Giles, an eighty-year-old widow who’d spend her days baking treats and fussing over the kids who used to hang out after school. Autumn’s completely renovated the place, and it is barely recognizable, but the warmth of the vibe is still the same. Three wooden bookshelves cover one wall, stacked with books that look both old and new, with a sign above telling patrons to take one to read.
There’s a new counter with a glass display and the cash register on one side, an exposed brick wall on the other filled with framed black and white photos of Coldwater’s history. At the back of the room are two large oversized armchairs, giving the perfect space for people-watching. Smaller tables and chairs fill the rest of the room, offering plenty of seating without feeling overcrowded.
It’s quiet, with only one other person sitting quietly in the far corner, reading a worn paperback. I close the door and take off my baseball cap before stepping up to the counter. A woman with long, flowing chestnut-brown hair stands in front of the coffee machine, with her back to me. My heart thuds erratically in my chest, and it’s the only sound I can hear.
“I’ll be right with you,” she calls, her voice light and so familiar that I nearly run.
Autumn turns toward me, freezing in place, and I roll my lips together as a sheepish smile pulls at my mouth.
“Avery?” She blinks, like she can’t quite trust her own eyes. “Am I dreaming?”
I force my body to relax and give her a nervous wave. “Hey, Autumn.”
She doesn’t move for the longest time. So long, in fact, that I start to question whether I should have come here at all.
I wasn’t expecting to be welcomed back with open arms, but the longer time goes on, the more uncertain I am that this was the right thing to do. Maybe I should have gone on a vacation somewhere else, anywhere else. But then Autumn’s face breaks into a smile, and joy floods her features before she puts the cloth she was holding down and flies around the counter, throwing her arms around me. I laugh out loud, the sound breathless as I try to keep us upright.
Autumn tightens her hold on me, whispering, “You’re really here,” before she pulls back and squeezes my biceps as she inspects me from head to toe. “God. I thought I was dreaming for a second. I mean, I heard whispers of you being back.” When I raise my brows in surprise, she adds, “You must’ve forgotten it’s a small town, and if you drive along Main Street, someone is going to spot you.”
Shaking my head, I pull her back in for a hug, emotion filling my throat and making my voice thick when I say, “I’m really here.”
Grabbing my hand, Autumn tugs me toward the green couch by the window, pulling me onto the soft velvet cushions with her. “We’ve got so much to catch up on. And you have to come to The Wildflower tonight. Everyone’s going to be there, and they’ll be so excited to see you.”
I open my mouth to protest, to tell her that I’m not ready, but her hazel eyes soften, and it’s like looking into the soul of a puppy. She always knew how to play me to get what she wanted. “Fine. But I’m not staying long.”
Autumn squeals and bounces out of her seat. “That’s the best news I’ve had all day. Now we can catch up on everything you’ve been up to these past few years.”
4
GRAYSON
The Wildflower—the only bar in town—is loud and rowdy tonight, but worst of all, it’s filled with half my family. Some old rock song plays in the background, but the chatter drowns out the lyrics.
I shouldn’t have come.
People who have no concept of how far their voices can carry, especially when drunk, are talking about me and making bets on who I’ll go home with. It’s like being back in high school all over again.
Wyatt and I arrived about two hours ago, and of course, I drove, so now I can’t leave until he’s ready to go. As soon as we walked in the door and I saw how busy it was, I found the only empty stool in the entire place and parked my ass in it as I kept a watchful eye on my siblings in the low lighting.
Wyatt is playing pool with Kade and some women I don’t recognize. Gracie is on the dance floor with our cousins, Autumn and Olivia. They’re drawing stares with their loud laughter and silly dance moves; they’ve obviously had too much to drink and will pay for it in the morning. I’m just glad everyone seems to be having fun, even if I’m not.
