Page 72 of Beau & Autumn

Beau

Turns out I like having a woman around the house, other than my sister and my mom. I like how Autumn goes about her day. We didn’t take any time to have a fake honeymoon, and we’re going down to Memphis in a couple of days, so moving in has been kinda rushed. I bought a bed for Autumn for the spare room and had to sneak into the garage without my parents or anyone else seeing and asking questions. Plus I had to set it up by myself, which was a pain in the ass, but I’m happy with the outcome. I think it’s Autumn’s taste; white wash wood with a slight blue undertone. I got her an expensive mattress because my girl isn’t sleeping on anything shitty.

There was no time to really do anything leading up to our nuptials, but this is the least I could do, plus I’ve cleaned out all my art supplies in the closet so she has somewhere to put her clothes. I’ve stacked my sketches out in the garage, covered with a large sheet for now so she won’t see them. I don’t mind her looking, but I don’t want her to see the manga ones I did of her. She’ll think I’m creepy and weird.

The last few days we’ve fallen into our little routine. And it’s been really pleasant. I thought it would be awkward at first, but she’s really easy to live with.

She made dinner the first night we got home, and for tonight I picked up a home-made lasagna from Verne’s and tried to pass it off as my own. Well, I did throw the salad together.

“Ten points for trying,” she laughs when I take it out of the oven in the tell-tale silver foil container.

“Hey, it is home-made, just not by me.”

She smiles, shrugging out of her suit jacket. Today she wore peach, and my God does that do things to my dick.

We sit at the table I never use and talk. It’s surreal.

She tells me all about her day and how she’s been going through the photos she took of the barn and surroundings for the website with Georgia ready for me to upload. I like that she throws herself into every project with enthusiasm. It makes me think a lot about what I like to do outside of the distillery. I mean, I’m good at computer stuff, and I’m smart with numbers, but sometimes I get a bit lost in the grand scheme of the Bassett business. I’ve never wanted success in the way Gray and Gabe have, and even Brooklyn with his new Moonshine creation. I’ve never been that passionate about it and I’d never want to run the place.

But what else would I do? I mean, I don’t want to leave or anything but I guess that’s why Fletch and I have been developing our app. Hopefully it will generate a little bit of income and I can cut back a bit at work. There is also my love of sketching, but that doesn’t pay the bills.

“So, have you had any ideas about where to go for our fake honeymoon?” I try not to laugh as I take a bite of the lasagna. Damn, Verne can cook.

“I was thinking about telling my family we’re having a mini-vacay slash honeymoon in the Smoky Mountains in a few weeks, even if we don’t go, it isn’t as if they’ll check.”

“Are you nervous?” I can tell she is, even without asking because her voice is a little shaky, as well as her hands.

“Yes. I rang my brother today and told him.”

My eyebrows lift in surprise. “You did?”

She nods. “We’re close and I don’t like keeping things from him. He’ll be supportive, once he gets over the shock of it all. He’s always liked you, but like your dad, he smells a rat.”

“That’s a relief.” It’s her parents and her grandmother I’m more worried about. I seriously doubt they’ll just take it lying down. “What, what do you mean, like my dad?”

“Come on, Beauster, he wasn’t exactly jumping off the rafters with excitement, neither was Gray. Both of them smell bullshit and I don’t think Gabe is far behind.”

My hand tightens around my soda as I lift the can and hold it out across the table toward her. “It doesn’t matter what any of them think, or what they say. Now put it here, it’s us against the world.”

A small smile spreads across her perfect face. She’s surprised, I think. “That’s a little dramatic.”

I shrug. “You’ve gotta be a little dramatic to be in this family.”

“So I keep hearing.”

“You know Gray, he’s all bark and no bite, same as my dad. Give it a little bit of time, they’ll come around.”

“I worry they’ll hate us if they find out.”

I rest my fork down and reach over, squeezing her hand. “They won’t find out. They may be suspicious, but it’s our decision. Not theirs.”

She looks down at her hands, a few moments she says, “Beau? Is this a real diamond?” She waves her hand at me, flashing the ring and I wipe my mouth with a napkin.

Not wanting to lie to her, I tell her the truth. “Uh, yeah. Of course it is. You can’t go around wearing cubic zirconia.”

“Beau! This would’ve cost a fortune.”

“Do you like it?”

---