Page 37 of Down Memory Lane
Chapter Eighteen
Autumn
Stepping into Lottie’s backyard felt surreal, and not just because Autumn was still slightly dazed after the quickie she and Felix had shared in her studio. Wobbly legs, weak knees, and a burning desire for a repeat aside, being in the house was strange because she could tell that she’d been there before, but she still had no concrete memories of any of those occasions. Everywhere she went in Applewood felt familiar and new at the same time, causing a sort of déjà vu and nostalgic whiplash that often left her more confused about her state of mind than when she’d first arrived. Tonight was no different, though luckily there would be a large enough party going on that Autumn could relax, knowing that for once, she wouldn’t be the focus of everyone’s attention.
This evening was all about Beckett, Willa, and their family and friends as they enjoyed a joint bachelor and bachelorette barbeque hosted by Willa’s maid of honor. After walking through the mid-century modern home that was decorated like the set of some old movie, Autumn and Felix wandered into the backyard. Gripping his hand tightly for support, Autumn braced herself for a barrage of meeting more people she may have already known and never met before, but the party was surprisingly small.
A group of muscular men surrounded Beckett on one side of a lit fire pit as he sipped a beer, his arm slung over his fiancée’s shoulder as she looked up at him adoringly. On Willa’s side stood a few older looking people in business casual dress. The mixture of those gathered was certainly eclectic, though none of them stood out as looking overly familiar to her. It seemed that who she knew previously would remain a mystery for now.
As if he could sense her unease, Felix squeezed her hand and pulled her closer to him. “We don’t have to stay if you’re not comfortable. Beck will understand.” Autumn studied Felix’s expression for any hint of deception, but there was none. She should have known since he had always been completely honest with her, but she couldn’t help but feel a little curious.
As much as he was willing to leave for her comfort, Autumn couldn’t bring herself to ask for it. “Thank you, but I’ll be okay.” Looking around at the brightly decorated backyard, she spotted a few of Felix’s other family members and smiled. “At the very least, I can hide out with your family so I don’t feel bad about not remembering anyone I already know.”
Felix’s brow knit together a little, but when he nodded there was a small smile on his face. “If you’re sure, then we’ll stay.” Leaning down, he kissed her cheek. “Just let me know if that changes and we’ll get out of here.”
Felix’s breath skimmed over her neck, causing her to shiver. Autumn was tempted to change her mind for a whole other reason, but she stowed her desire for later. “I will.”
Leaning into Felix, she followed him deeper into the backyard. Paper lanterns in shades of pink were strung across the large space, ready to light up the place as soon as the sun disappeared over the horizon. Folding tables and chairs were neatly arranged throughout the yard, each decorated beautifully with candles, flowers, and dinnerware. The grass was a deep green, offset by brown flagstones that led over to a barbeque area. Mister Kemp stood behind a grill flipping burgers as his wife arranged side dishes on a table draped with a navy blue tablecloth. Past them was the rest of Felix’s family, playing a game of cornhole. As they stepped closer, Autumn could hear the beginnings of an argument.
“I’m telling you, that counts as in.” Nate’s face looked a little red as he fumed, his voice probably audible from at least two houses over as he ranted at Lottie. Autumn had yet to be reintroduced to the woman, but Felix had pointed her out in enough of the town photos for Autumn to recognize her.
Lottie flipped her dark hair over her shoulder with a huff. “And I’m telling you that it doesn’t.” She pointed to a beanbag that hung almost entirely inside of the hole, but that still clung to the top like it was hanging on for dear life. “It didn’t drop in, and according to official cornhole rules, it’s only three points if it drops in completely, so you only get one.”
Nate stepped closer to her, his eyes narrowing. Travis looked between the two people before offering a shrug. “Maybe split the difference. Call it two points?” Travis offered.
“No,” Lottie said at the same time Nate piped in with, “not a chance.” Nate stared at the woman in front of him, his eyes blazing. “Why do you always have to argue with me?”
Not backing down, Lottie jutted out her chin and got into his space. “Why do you always have to be right?”
They continued to stare at one another, the tension between them palpable. It looked as though they might actually brawl. It was either that or they might start screwing right there and then. Either way, something was going to happen if one of them didn’t break from their little standoff.
Ultimately it was Lottie, her eyes that were fiery with anger seconds ago dimmed as she backed away. “Have it your way, Mister Mayor.” She sighed and turned away from Nate, who looked surprisingly disappointed that Lottie had relented. Wandering over to her, Lottie looked over at Autumn and smiled brightly. “Autumn! It’s so good to see you.” Without warning, Lottie pulled Autumn into a tight hug and kissed her cheek. “I’ve missed seeing you around. Don’t be a stranger, okay” Autumn nodded dumbly as she watched the woman walk over to help Felix’s mom with the food.
That was the first interaction Autumn had had with another person she’d technically known already where they hadn’t treated her with kid gloves, stared at her like she was a science experiment, or looked afraid to do or say something wrong in her presence. It was refreshing, and she wished everyone could treat her that way. It was better with Felix’s family now, but even they had been slightly awkward at the beginning. Is this what it would be like if she went somewhere else? No weirdness between her and anyone she encountered, only fresh interactions that left her feeling good and not guilty over something she had no control over?
Felix nudged her again, looking slightly concerned. “Everything okay?” His eyes wandered over to Lottie who was speaking animatedly with Cora Kemp. “I know Lottie can be kind of a lot.”
Autumn cut him off with an upheld hand. “Actually, it was nice to have someone treat me as if everything were completely normal.”
It had been almost three months since her accident, so life as she knew it now was probably as normal as things would get for her. She had another doctor’s appointment the following week, but she wasn’t sure why she even bothered with them anymore. The scans of her brain were all normal as were her vitals, so the only purpose they served was to drag her out of the house every now and then to remind her that her amnesia was most likely permanent. It was something she was slowly getting used to, but she sometimes wondered if it wouldn’t be easier for her to get used to if she resided somewhere else.
Her eyes wandered up to Felix’s as he stared at her, his gaze filled with nothing but love and affection. Autumn’s heart thumped in her chest whenever she saw that look in his eyes, and it ached at the thought of going somewhere he wasn’t. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
Autumn nodded, leaning into him for support. “I am.” The words were as true as any she’d ever spoken. As long as he was with her, she could deal with anything.
****
The next morning, Autumnmet her parent’s for breakfast at the small bakery downtown. Warm Delights smelled of sugar and little else when she’d walked through the doors. Felix had driven her there and then given her a toe-curling kiss that nearly had her cancelling on her parents in lieu of christening the office in his bar which is where he was headed. They’d talked about him going back to work, but not seeing Felix nearly all day was something that would take some getting used to.
Autumn wouldn’t call him a crutch, but Felix was definitely someone she had some to rely on during the day. Whenever she got frustrated in her studio or was worried about her future, Felix was there to ease the pain with either his words or his body. Shivering as she remembered their joint shower that morning, Autumn wandered deeper into the bakery. The moment she spied her parents at a small table, all lustful thoughts evaporated from her mind and a knot formed in her stomach.
