Page 7 of Autumn Wishes and Pumpkin Kisses

“I’m pretty sure that no two experiences are the same.” His eyebrows raise above his sunglasses in challenge.

I nod. “It’s different but good. I’m glad to be back. It’s just going to take some getting used to.”

“I hear that. I was lucky Warbee made the transition easier for me. We’re about to wrap up. If you want to hang around for a few we could toss a ball around for a bit, what do you say?”

“Count me in,” I counter. Forty-five minutes later, Rocker and I are tossing the football back and forth, talking about his glory days playing in the NFL. The sun is just getting ready to set when his phone rings. Rocker holds up a finger for me to give him a minute. I can tell by the way his shoulders tense that something is wrong, so I jog the few yards to see what’s going on.

After he disconnects the call, he turns to me. “I need to go pick up Teaganne. Her car broke down in Atlanta and the roadside assistance can’t get there for a couple of hours. Warbee was going to go, but Jolie came down with that stomach bug that hits every year at this time.”

I don’t hesitate, but I really should have stopped to think before I say, “I’ll come with you.”

Rocker looks a little confused and I don’t blame him. Considering the history between Teaganne and I, it’s an odd suggestion to come from my mouth and now that I’ve had time to think about it for a second, it’s the worst idea but I can’t back out now. “Are you sure? I mean, it’s Teaganne.”

“Yeah, water under the bridge. Let’s go pick her up,” I tell him, as I toss the football into his hands and pull my keys from my pocket.

“We’ll have to take Warbee’s Jeep. Teaganne has her kids with her,” Rocker comments. I just nod my head because I’m worried if I speak, he’ll see through my facade. I’ve met Teaganne’s kids before. It's just the general idea that she had kids with someone other than me that sometimes I can’t swallow. I should probably just let Rocker go, but at the same time the thought of Teaganne being stranded doesn’t sit right with me. If I let Rocker go without me, I’ll just go home and worry about if she’s okay or not. It makes better sense to just go with him, or at least, that’s what I tell myself as I climb into the passenger seat of Warbee’s Jeep with my heart in my throat and my stomach flopping around like a fish out of water.

SEVEN

Teaganne

Silas and Seraphina are sound asleep. Their soft snores fill the car. I’m glad they are able to sleep through the wait. Warbee should be here any minute. The sun finally went down leaving me surrounded by darkness about half an hour ago. I’m not one to get jumpy or scared easily. However, not exactly knowing what part of town I’m in, makes me worry that the shiny black Cadillac Escalade I’m currently sitting in might stick out like a sore thumb. I don’t want to draw more attention to myself than necessary. I survey the park around us and overall it seems clean and well kept. No signs of damage or graffiti on any of the equipment, benches or dumpsters, so we’re probably fine.

Finally, a set of headlights come into view. I hold my breath because it’s the first set I’ve seen since being stranded. What if it’s not Warbee? The vehicle pulls in next to me and I breathe a sigh of relief when I recognize Warbee’s gray Jeep Wrangler. I slide out of the SUV, careful not to slam my door so I don’t wake up the kids. I guess Warbee decided to ride with Rocker instead, but when I turn around to greet them, it’s like I’ve been sucker punched to the gut. All the oxygen leaves my body and it feels like the whole damn world is being tipped on its axis when my eyes land on him. Warbee is nowhere in sight. Instead, I see Rocker and Keefer standing before me. “Hey stranger,” Rocker greets me, stepping forward to pull me in for a hug.

I try to plaster on a smile, but it feels fake as hell. Rocker probably won’t notice, but Keefer definitely will. Well, I guess if he still remembers the little things about me which he probably doesn’t. “Hey, I thought Warbee was coming.”

Rocker chuckles as he pulls away, stuffing his hands into the front pocket of his jeans. “She was, but then Jolie caught that stomach bug that hits every year around this time.”

“Oh no, poor thing.” Jolie is a real sweetheart and I hate the thought of her feeling under the weather. I make a mental note to take her a care basket over tomorrow, if I ever make it home. Rocker smiles making his strong jaw more predominant Rocker Gordon is good looking with his sparkling blue eyes, brown hair, dimples, and that southern charm wrapped around a body of muscle. I always understood what Warbee saw in Rocker. He was just never my type.

Now, Keefer Dunn is a whole other story. I let my eyes roam over Keefer. He’s still tall and lean with well-defined muscles from what I can see. His chestnut brown hair is slightly longer than I’m used to, brushing the collar of his shirt, curling at the ends. In the dark of the night it’s hard to decipher the color of his eyes. Unlike Rocker’s who are bright like the summer sky. Keefer’s are a deeper blue, almost like the ocean, if my memory serves me right. The t-shirt and jeans he’s currently wearing hug his body and makes me remember what it used to feel like when he was mine. It seems like another lifetime now. The big difference between Keefer then and Keefer now is...the full beard, trimmed to his face, but hiding those dimples I used to love so much.

“Hey, Teaganne,” Keefer finally says.

I give him the best smile I can muster and a little wave. I’m afraid if I speak, I’ll make a fool of myself. “I’m just waiting on roadside assistance still.”

“I called a friend of mine to come tow you in. He’s got the best shop in town. Cody should be here any time now,” Keefer adds.

I’m not sure what to say, but thankfully Rocker speaks up. “So, the stuff in the back,” he says, motioning towards it. “Do you want us to move it over to Warbee’s?”

I look around, my head is confused. Just being in Keefer’s presence is throwing me off. “Yeah, that’s the stuff I’ll need tonight and, in the morning, before I start to unpack the house.”

“Unpack the house?” Keefer asks.

My head nods. “Yeah,” I reply, before going on to explain that I’ll have to move the kids' seats over. Rocker tells me not to worry there will be plenty of room. As Keefer and Rocker start to move the stuff from the back of my SUV over to Warbee’s Jeep, I wake up Silas so I can move his seat first. Another set of headlights joins us. A younger guy hops down from the truck and heads our way. Keefer meets him and eventually they both head my direction. I’m just about to pull Seraphina from her seat when Rocker nudges me over. “I got her. Go take care of that,” he tells me, with a nod towards Keefer and the younger boy who I assume is Cody.

Once things with my SUV are settled, I climb into the back of the Jeep with my kids who are both sound asleep once more. “I’m sorry you had to come all this way. I told Warbee I’d be fine and we’d figure it out.”

“I figured you did, but I know my girl. There’s no way she was going to let you stay out here with those kids,” Rocker tells me, with a light laugh.

Keefer clears his throat, uncomfortably. “Don’t forget to call and cancel your roadside assistance.”

“Oh.” I’m surprised he remembered and I didn’t. “Thank you,” I tell him, before fishing my phone out of my purse. A few minutes later, the assistance is canceled, and we ride towards Blue Ridge in silence. It’s an odd feeling. I feel like I should say something, but I’m not sure what. There’s also that feeling of being watched. It’s a familiar feeling to me. Keefer used to watch me often at least once we actually became more than friends, but I doubt that now. It’s probably just my mind reacting to being back in his presence. That woodsy scent of his fills Warbee’s Jeep and pulls me back into memories I’ve tried to keep buried in the sand.

We’re here! I can’t believe we’re actually here! My mind is a jumbled, chaotic mess trying to take everything in. Los Angeles is bigger and busier than I could have anticipated, but I feel like I’m finally home. The moment that Keefer and I slide into the backseat of this taxi from the airport, the adrenaline and excitement coursing through my body is insane. Add the feel of Keefer’s hand in mine and my body feels like it’s just about to burst. Keefer's thumb lightly traces over my knuckles as I gawk out the window. When I turn to him, I’m surprised to find his eyes on me. He’s not taking in the sights and sounds of the city. “What are you looking at?” I ask. I’m sure I look horrid considering I’ve been on a plane all morning after waking up super late. I’m the perfect example of thrown together.

Keefer smiles. I love his smile, so much so that my heart is doing a little flip flop in my chest right now. “You.” It’s a simple reply, but I know Keefer and he never says anything that isn’t true. I feel the blush start behind my ears and make its way to my cheeks.

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