Hold On (Play On #2.5)(24)

Skylar released a heavy sigh. “I don’t feel so jetlagged anymore and I’m nervous because the press has backed off entirely just in time for us dropping the album. So I know they’ll be back, even though I refuse to promote it.”

“The album is amazing. It’s going to soar.”

“You know I don’t care about that. And without marketing it’s doubtful. But it’s my best work ever and I just wanted to put it out there.”

“I think you’re going to be surprised,” I said, genuinely believing that this album would rock the charts and get millions of streams.

“We’ll see.”

We talked some more about her plans for the album drop and I told her about Susan and Molly.

“Only you, Autumn,” she said, the fondness in her voice unmistakable. “You go on vacation and then end up helping people out.”

“It’s not entirely altruistic. It’s Gray’s plan to help me work out what I want to do with my life.”

“And how’s that working out for you?”

“Hmm… he’s proving something of a distraction, but I’m leaning toward event management.” And I was. I think I was even before the list.

“Good. Look, I better go. I can hear your brother playing something moody and melancholic on the guitar and I need to put him in a better mood before I drop your news on him.”

I wrinkled my nose. “TMI.”

“I didn’t say how I was going to put him in a better mood.”

“You didn’t have to. Anyway, you go do something I’m going to pretend you and my brother don’t do, and I’m going to get dressed and head down to breakfast. I’m starved.” And I was. A long night of sex would do that to a girl.

“Okay. Love you, babe.”

“Love you, too, Sky. And tell my brother I love him.”

“You got it.”

We hung up and I got dressed for the day, trying to ignore the churn of worry in my gut. That feeling wasn’t just about how Killian would react to the news of Gray, but also about my future with Gray. Skylar was right. Gray would in no way want to leave Cunningham Falls. What the hell was I supposed to do with that? I couldn’t move to Montana.

Could I?

The thought of being so far away from Killian and Skylar caused a painful ache in my chest I just couldn’t ignore. Killian had been my only family for so long and I, more than anyone, knew how important family was and how fragile life could be. I didn’t want to miss out on the important moments in Killian’s life and I didn’t want him to miss out on mine. I wanted to be there after he proposed to Skylar, to be a bridesmaid at their wedding, to cradle my niece or nephew at Skylar’s bedside, and babysit for them when they needed alone time.

And I wanted Killian and Skylar to be there for me when I went through all of those moments with Gray. Because, as crazy as it was, I couldn’t imagine sharing those moments with anyone else but Gray.

Heartbreakingly, I couldn’t imagine not sharing those moments with my brother and the woman he loved. It would put me in the middle of an ocean being emotionally pulled in opposite directions. I’d have to either swim in one direction, leaving someone behind, or I’d drown.





“Oh, Autumn.” Catie reached over the table to squeeze my free hand while I wiped the corner of my eyes with the napkin in my other.

I blinked back tears, mortified I was getting upset at breakfast in public.

Catie and Kyle had taken one look at my face when I approached their table that morning and had known something was really wrong.

“I’m being silly and melodramatic,” I huffed, throwing Kyle a look of apology.

“You’re not,” Catie assured me. “But I think Skylar is right. You need to talk to Gray before this goes any further.”

I sniffled and wiped at my eyes again. “Has my mascara—” My words fell away at the sight of Gray marching across the breakfast room, scowling.

“Why are you crying?” he said without preamble.

Shocked that he was there and had witnessed said crying, I could only stare at him. Then I blurted, “I thought you were skiing.”

His frown deepened. “I have an hour between my first two lessons, thought I’d see if I could catch you and have breakfast, and gotta say, angel, not liking I’m finding you here in tears after last night.” He flicked a look at Catie and Kyle then returned his gaze to mine. “Can we talk?”

I threw my friends a reassuring but wobbly smile and got up from the table. Gray immediately clasped my hand tight in his and led me out of the dining room. He turned left toward the restrooms where there was a mobile coat rack in the hallway. He gently nudged me behind it and pressed me up against the wall, not only securing some privacy for us, but overwhelming me in a possessive, macho man way that felt a little too much at the moment. He braced an arm on the wall beside my head and rested his other hand on my waist.

“Gray.” I pressed against his chest but he only eased back a little.

“Crying, needing space. Yeah, not liking this at all. I left you smiling and happy in bed this morning. What the fuck happened after I left?”

I bit my lip. “I… I started to think about the future.”

“Yeah, so?” He squeezed my waist. “What’s the problem?”