Page 11

HEATH

I used to hate my birthday because it was never about me, then I grew to love it because of Autumn and now I’m back to hating it because it’s the day she broke my heart.

When I applied to Grimstone University of course I knew Autumn already attended, I was there the day we dropped her off freshman and Sophomore year.

I wanted to drop out of going when she dumped me but something in me just can’t be too far from her.

Knowing my dad is sick, I decided a business degree would do me some good since I’m taking over this place so I took some online classes at the community college and got my GPA up and applied and I got in but I didn’t know I’d get tossed back in the ringer with my ex who stabbed me in the heart a year ago, exactly.

I hated seeing her when I walked into class but seeing her already staring at me sent a spark through me and I knew my revenge was working.

I’m plaguing Autumn Scott’s mind, and I don’t intend to stop anytime soon.

“Are you listening?” My dad asks, sounding even more country than normal which signifies he’s pissed at my lack of attention.

“Yeah, I got it. Order everything on this list.” I say, breaking his explanation down to the simple version.

“This is very important Heath.” He’s supposed to be resting but he’s having a tough time taking a step back from the shop, but I don’t blame him.

He's been running Motorway since he was seventeen after his dad died in a motorcycle crash and then he really needed to succeed when he got my mom pregnant at nineteen with me.

This place has been his everything since mom died.

“I got it dad. You need to be resting. You know your kidneys are failing.”

“Can’t. I have to go to Crew’s school. Teacher-parent meeting.” He tells me while helping himself turn around using his cane.

“Just take it easy.”

“You just get them things ordered. I’ll be fine.

See you boys later.” He hobbles out of the auto shop and crawls into his old blue truck and rides off.

I hate seeing him broken down like this.

I could just beat those doctors bloody for not getting him a damn kidney just cause he’s a smoker. Those rich fuckers don’t know shit.

“This the car?” Rex walks in holding up his computer showing me a picture of Autumn's car on it. I knew he would find it.

“Yep, where is it?” I ask him to know he can tell me. Rex is one of the smartest nerds I know who also somehow is on the wrong side of the tracks but having someone this smart willing to do terrible things with you is an asset.

“Heading to some steak house. It’s typed into the GPS I hacked into from the car.

” She’s going to Boudlgard’s for her birthday.

Her family is probably taking her out. I remember that damned birthday dinner she used to ask me to go to when we were together and of course I’d go once I saw her bat them beautiful brown lashes.

It was a thing her dad loved to do. I have to admit the free fancy meal was nice.

“I know just where that is. Jared let’s go!

” I grab my leather coat from behind the counter.

“Thanks for the help, and here’s the number.

” I pass Rex the number to Beala Throne, who he has been trying to get to look his way for years but she’s always too stuck in her sorority shit or flirting with athletes to look at him but the one thing she doesn’t do is give out her number but now he has it.

“Thanks, tell me how it goes.” Rex says while putting on his mechanic shirt.

“Thank Thatcher and I will.” I smirk and make my way outside to one of the tow trucks.

“So how are we doing this?” Jared asks.

“We tow the car and take it out back behind the shop, then you’re done, and I carry on.” I explain. I don’t give him too much detail of anything because all Jared needs to know is we are towing a car. If anyone does find out at least he’s innocent.

I drive us to Boudlgard’s and while Jared hooks up Autumn's car, I make sure they don’t notice. She tends to park her car right at the front of entrances because she feels it’s safer. I’ve always tried to tell her dangerous things will happen either way, but she doesn’t listen.

That’s her downfall tonight. “Done.”

“Alright let’s get out of here.” I quickly drive back to the shop and drop Jared off along with Autumn’s car, making sure to cover her BMW with a tarp and keep the keys on me so no one messes with it then I head to my red GMC Sierra 1500 AT4x.

This truck is my pride and joy; I first got a hold of it because a man brought it into my dad my freshman year of high school because it was old and broken down and he knew my dad scrapped and sold car parts too.

He figured he was getting rid of the truck and earning some cash, but me and my dad fixed it together and it became mine.

That’s one of my greatest memories with him.

I drive back to the steak restaurant while blasting ‘ Black Honey’ by Thrice and ‘Control’ by Puddle of Mudd.

Two of my favorite songs and they get me in the mood for this.

I arrive back at the restaurant. I sit patiently in the parking lot; I can see her sitting so perfectly in her little dress laughing with her friends and family.

My chest tightens as I remember when that used to be me until she broke my heart.

I was so confident that day driving to see her after selecting the perfect gift to show her how much she meant to me.

I had her favorite flowers in hand when I made my way to her dorm and checked in downstairs.

I thought everything was perfect and it was until I knocked on her door and her roommate answered telling me she was out with Cole.

I knew they were friends, but she had never done anything like this before.

That’s when I found out she had sent me a message breaking up with me and she thought I saw it and chose not to reply.

I didn’t see it and got a handwritten note from her given to me by her roommate that explained everything.

That day I broke. I let my barrier down for her and she hurt me. I vowed it’d never happen again. I would get revenge on her for doing this to me. She would know how I felt all this time and that’s what I’m doing now. Reminding her who she fucked with.

When the wait is over, she walks out, arms linked with her friend Maya. I exit my truck and stand at the front of it. Her parents hug and say bye to her before they leave. Autumn and Maya begin to go to the spot her car was in, but it’s gone, and my truck is in its place.

“Where’s my car?” She asks, first.

“Somewhere safe. I came to take you somewhere.” I tell her.

“I could call the cops.” Autumn crosses her arms trying to look intimidating, but it doesn’t phase me. Cute.

“You won’t. Now get in the truck or you won’t get your car back.”

“You psycho!” Maya yells but Autumn stops her. I knew she would.

“Fine but what about Maya?” Autumn asks. I pull out my wallet and hand Maya some cash.

“I reserved you a car with the valet service.” I tell her and give her the car ticket also. Autumn turns to Maya and whispers in her ear while hugging her. Maya glares at me before going off to the valet building.

“Let’s get this over with.” Autumn huffs, rolling her eyes.

I walk behind her making sure she heads to my truck, and I open the door for her.

She may have broken me, but I am still a gentleman.

Autumn gets inside with a glare on her face causing me to smirk.

I go to the driver's side and get inside.

“Where are we going?” She asks. Oh, this will be fun. I look over at her, slightly getting caught in her green eyes. They are absolutely perfect like emeralds. They are for sure my favorite color.

“You’ll see.” I say and start up the truck.

“You’re sick.” Autumn spats. I love it when she’s pissed. She gets this red blush on her cheeks that just highlights her freckles.

“You love it.” I tease her because I know she used to mention how much she loved when I would spontaneously show up and take her somewhere. Autumn says nothing and just turns to look out the window.

I smirk to myself fully satisfied with the annoyance I’ve managed to make her feel. Tonight, I’m going to make her feel far more than that. I want to scare her, truly show her what I am capable of, and she will feel my wrath.

I turn down all the back roads leading to what everyone in Grimstone knows leads to the old historical district that’s full of old manors that rich people used to live in, now they all live in town and these homes are left out here.

They were supposed to go to grandchildren but even they don’t use them so eventually teens started breaking in making them hangout spots.

“Why are we way out here?” Autumn asks as I turn down one last road to take me to my destination.

“So, no one can hear you scream, Little Traitor.” I answer, confidently. I notice her slightly twitch, causing my smirk to widen farther in delight. I slow down, pulling into the driveway of an old white colonial style home. I drive around back and park before cutting all the lights off.

“You have one minute to run inside and hide. Don’t let me find you or else.”

“Why? What are we doing?”

“Playing predator.” Autumn's eyes widen.

“You’re losing time.” I inform her, letting her know I’ve already started counting the time. Autumn scrabbles to get out of my truck and runs to the house almost tripping as she does. I reach into the backseat and grab my mask. I pull it over my face and prepare to get out.

Time to catch my Little Traitor.