Page 40 of Angels & Whiskey

I walkedon shaky legs to my car and pulled out of the parking lot toward my house.

“I can’t get you out of my head, Autumn. You have no idea what that means to me. And the fact that your husband hits you … I want to save you.”

I couldn’t believe he’d been thinking about me. If he only knew that I couldn’t get him out of my head either. I didn’t know anything about Gabe but given he wanted to “save” me … He made my heart stop. I never thought I’d need saving, especially from a man who I loved. But the more Rich hurt me, the more I felt myself falling out of love with him. Part of me questioned if he ever really loved me. Either way, I’d had enough.

As I sat at a red light, waiting for it to change, I kept replaying what had just happened. I closed my eyes briefly, remembering what he’d looked like in his black basketball shorts and green tank top that matched his eyes. I wanted to find out what his lips tasted like. How his body felt pressed against mine, his huge arms wrapped around me, and dammit if he didn’t smell good too—like the warm sun on a summer day.He was all man.

As I drove, my mind switched to Rich. I still didn’t have a plan on how I was going to leave him. I needed to get out of Vegas, not stay in it and look over my shoulder every day and fear for my life anymore. Given that Rich explained to me the night before he never “wanted” to hurt me, I decided to push the limits. Maybe it was stupid of me, but if he were really going to be the mayor of Las Vegas, then we couldn’t hide the bruises forever.

I sent a text to him:

Me:I’m going to stop by my parents’ studio. Call my cell on your lunch. Love you!

It was crazy to think that “pushing it” meant seeing my parents. I was to go to the gym, coffee and home every day. I was done having that leash. I was done being weak. It was only my parents, not someone who Rich didn’t know.

As I pulled onto the street where my parents’ studio was, a text from Rich buzzed my cell:

Rich:Tell them hello for me. Love you too.

I stared at the text as I sat in front of the studio. I expected him to call and yell at me, so I was stunned, shocked, baffled. Maybe Rich was really trying to change his ways. It was as if he knew I wanted to finally leave him and he was acting like the man I fell in love with.

I didn’t reply. Instead, I threw my phone in my purse and went inside. The door dinged as I walked into the studio. Mom was behind the desk and she looked up.

She instantly smiled when she saw it was me. “Hey, what are you doing here?”

“Just came to say hi.” I shrugged.

“Well, it’s a nice surprise.”

I leaned against the counter. “Where’s Dad?”

“In the office—Dan!” she yelled. “Autumn’s here.”

Dad walked out, taking his glasses off and rubbed his face. “Hey, sunshine. I needed a break anyway. Editing makes my back hurt.”

“I was in the neighborhood,” I lied. “Just stopping by to say hi and also tell you that I’m throwing a surprise party for Rich.”

“Oh?” Mom perked up. “What for?”

I debated telling my parents the truth, but if Rich found out that I’d told them, he’d be pissed. Call me rebellious …

“Actually, it’s a surprise party for the guests.”

“I don’t understand.” Dad scrunched his eyebrows in confusion.

“You can’t say anything—”

“Oh, it’s a secret,” Mom said, clapping with excitement.

“Rich is going to run for mayor and he wants to throw an announcement party.”

“Really?” they asked in unison.

“Yep,” I said with a fake smile.

“My son-in-law is going to be the mayor?” Dad asked.

I shrugged. “Maybe.”