Page 89 of Beau & Autumn

“Hey,” I answer. Resting my coffee cup on the kitchen bench and leaning back against it.

“Hey, sis. Where are you?”

I saw a missed call from him after Beau and I ate last night, so I texted him back to say we’d talk today.

“We’re staying at an Airbnb. I’m guessing you heard what happened?”

“Gran filled me in on the most part. Mom clearly doesn’t share the same sentiment over your nuptials.”

“Not even in the slightest,” I say, mouthing to Beau that it’s Anton. Beau’s clearing the dishes away and gives me a little smile.

“You know what she’s like, and this whole thing has come out of the blue. You should have told me.”

“I know. But as I said, it was spur of the moment and very romantic. Beau is really traditional, I thought they’d at least be happy I’ve settled down, and I didn’t marry a stranger. I might remind you that Gran wants to pick my husband, and your future wife!”

He groans. “You know how they are. And as much as I like Beau, you have to admit it’s pretty crazy. You’re not pregnant, are you?”

“No!” I gasp. It’s not the first time someone has said it but it’s still a shock when I hear it. “If you could see how happy I am, you wouldn’t be saying that.”

“Well, you left yesterday before I could get to see anything.”

I walk over to the little dining area and lower my voice. “Anton, Mom was going on about Michael. It just wasn’t fair. He’s not the stand-up guy she thinks he is. He cheated on me, and tried to gaslight me into thinking it was my fault. Who does that?”

“Yeah, I know,” he says. And I may not be able to see him, but I can tell there’s an annoyance to his tone. “The guy’s a douchebag. I don’t know what Mom is thinking. You know how she is with her control, she can’t help it. Not that it’s any excuse.”

“She definitely can’t help it, she proved that yesterday.”

“I also wouldn’t worry one iota about your ex,” he says.

“Wait, what did you do?” I know my brother enough to realize the underlying meaning to his tone.

“Let’s just say I dealt with him, and don’t think I won’t deal with Beau either if he hurts you.”

I turn my head to look over my shoulder where Beau is drying our breakfast dishes and putting them away. “He wouldn’t do that. He’s not like other guys.” I mean it with every word and every beat of my heart.

“Good, I’m glad to hear it. Then he’s got nothing to worry about.”

“Anton!” It’s my turn to give my brother a warning, not that it will do any good. Anton has always been the protective big brother who takes my love life a little too seriously, especially if I’ve been hurt in the process. I hope he didn’t do anything too drastic to Michael, not that he didn’t deserve it.

“Why don’t you two come over to Gran’s for lunch and we’ll talk about it.”

“Not if Mom is going to be there.”

“She isn’t, just me and Gran. Besides, she wants to talk to you about something.”

I bite into my lip for a moment while I think. “I’ll talk to Beau, but that should be fine. I mean, we did come all this way.”

“Text me when you’re on your way.”

“I will.”

“See you later.”

He hangs up and I turn to look at Beau. He’s making us another cup of coffee.

“You okay?” he asks.

“I’m good. Anton wants us to go and have lunch with him and Gran. According to him, she wants to talk to me without my parents.” I guess you don’t have to be a genius to work out what she could possibly want to talk to me about.

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