Page 34 of Falling for Autumn
Sarai opened her arms to Autumn, and the two women hugged. I watched as my baby relaxed underneath Sarai’s peaceful and loving energy. I had no doubt that my baby would fit in here among this eclectic crew.
“We’ve got chili-maple wings, pizza, bonfire toffee, hot dogs, homemade toffee apples, jalapeno cheese rolls, and maple pecanbars. There’s beer, wine, wine coolers, sodas, and water,” Sarai informed us.
Autumn and I headed indoors to wash our hands before we came back and indulged in a few samples of food. We had already eaten, so we weren’t starving. I watched as my baby was welcomed into the fold with the other ladies, and they sat around talking.
I joined a game of dominoes with the fellas.
“She’s a good look for you, man,” Wings declared halfway through the game.
“Definitely is. She seems like a sweetheart,” Reuben stated.
“She is, man. I’ve been feeling this girl for a while. I needed a fresh start, and she feels like that for me. I’m falling for Autumn, and I can’t stop it.”
“Sarai would tell you to lean into that shit. Have you told her about Trish?” Reuben asked.
I mugged him. “Didn’t see the importance of it.”
“Nigga, you’re setting yourself up for failure,” Jo-Jo declared.
“How?”
“You’re bringing her around your family and friends. That shit’s bound to come out. And it ain’t gon’ be a good look if she doesn’t know the full story,” he explained.
“You don’t think I know that? Even with the full story, it’s not a good look. I plan to tell her, just not tonight.”
“Quit whining, niggas, and come get this ass whupping,” Tree declared, slamming a five down on the table. “Gimme twenty-five.”
“That’s the first score your punk ass don’ got all game, nigga, and you up here like you running shit. You ain’t runnin’ nothing but your mouth,” Reuben declared, slamming another five down. “Gimme that same quarter.”
I turned my gaze to where Autumn was with the women. She was laughing, but then suddenly stopped as she looked up at me.A soft smile graced the features of her beautiful face, and she waved at me.
I blew a kiss and winked at her.
“That nigga’s all gone. Aye, Joe Rockhead. Turn your ass around and pay attention to this game,” Reuben declared.
I put the domino down and turned back to look at her again.
“And I’ll take that ten he just failed to call,” Pipes declared.
“Shit.” I turned to look back at the dominoes.
“Told you your ass was gone where she was concerned. You can’t focus to save your life,” Reuben teased.
“Fuck you,” I replied.
The fellas started laughing.
“You don’t think y’all moving too fast?” Wings asked. “You’ve only known this girl for a short while, and she’s got a baby. How do you know she’s not using you for a meal ticket?”
“She’s not that type of girl, Wings. My baby’s got her own, trust me.”
“Yeah, I hear ya. Just don’t want to see you get burned again,” he replied.
“How old is her baby?” Tree asked.
“She’s two.”
“When a woman has a baby that young, you’d better believe that baby’s daddy is still in her life somewhere. I don’t give a shit what she says,” Jo-Jo declared.
