Passenger Seat

Thanksgiving dinner was filled with food, wine and an unusual case of laughter and smiles. Out of every holiday dinner (or any family dinner) I’ve ever been to no one has smiled, and no one ever laughed. Something was different about this year, and I was glad. I had the most amazing guy by my side, even more amazing friends and everything seemed to be going well. At least it was until my mother brought up something she had heard on the news this morning.
“Autumn, is it true that you had an intruder last night at Brian’s house late last night?” I swallowed a large swig of my wine and smiled at her.

“Yeah, we did actually. But thankfully it was all taken care of,”
“Can you tell us it who it was? The news didn’t have a name, the police wouldn’t release it for some reason.” I cleared my throat, took another drink of wine and noticed I was running low.
“Someone top me off, yeah?” I lifted up my glass and smiled as it magically was re-filled.
“I don’t know who it was, it was probably just some crazy fan.” It was a lie, and Summer knew it. I looked to her and smiled, and she ducked her head and continued eating her food.
“Oh, well at least you two are alright. That’s all that matters, right?” Brian nodded, and answered for me.
“Yeah, I’m just glad Autumn knows how to take care of herself, I was actually asleep until I heard the noise outside. Turns out Autumn took a bat to the guy,” Everyone burst into laughter, as well as Summer and I.

“Anyways, why don’t we all go into the family room while Dessert is being prepared?” My mother daintily dabbed at her face with her linen napkins and pushed out her chair before leading everyone into the family room. Brian and I had found the perfect time to sneak away, up into my old room and do what we’ve been waiting to do.
“Are you two comin’ or what?” Summer asked with a hand on her hip.
“Yeah. We’re just going to go upstairs for a bit, we wanted to talk alone.” She gave me an all-knowing look, but let it slide.

“Okay, make sure you’re at least back in time for dessert.” She smirked and left the dining room to join the others, and Brian and I just looked at eachother.
“My room?” He nodded and took my hand gently in his. I smiled and led him through the kitchen and up the stairs. By the time we got into the hallway, we couldn’t help but kiss eachother like wild animals. We were pressed up against eachother on the door to my bedroom, and Brian was searching for the doorknob, refusing to let his lips leave mine.
Once the door was open we stumbled back into my darkened room, and he kicked the door shut. “I’m gonna lock the door,” He whispered heavily against my lips. I nodded, and began taking off my jewelry and setting it on the desk. I suddenly felt Brian’s arms wrap around my waist from behind, and I smiled.

“You sure you want to do this?” He whispered into my ear, all I could do was nod. He pressed his lips to my neck and I could feel his hand travel up my dress. Next thing I knew we were on top of each other, only in our underwear.
“You’re beautiful you know, just like the name you have. You remind me of everything that autumn has to bring, you’re amazing.” His words stuck in my head as the rest of our clothes came off, and as we began to move beneath the sheets.
After one of the most wonderful experiences I’ve had, we laid in bed on our bellies, smiling at each other as we remained silent together. Brian twirled a piece of my hair around his finger and smiled at me. His words from before repeated over and over again in my head, and I couldn’t help but smile so big that it made my cheeks hurt.

“I think we should probably get dressed,” He suggest, and we both laughed.
“Yeah, we probably should. I think dessert may have been finished by now,” He laughed this time, but quickly let out a sigh.
“Are you’re okay after last night?” I looked at them then nodded.
“Yeah, I’m fine, I swear.”
“I wonder why the police won’t release the guys’ name,” He stood up from the bed and began to re-dress himself as I sat up.
“Yeah, me too.” I felt bad for lying to him, but I had to lie. I couldn’t let anyone know what Summer and Jonathan had done, especially right now.
“You gonna get dressed or do you want to go at it again?” I laughed and felt a blush creep on my cheeks.
“How about we wait until we get home to do it again,” We both snickered.
“Hey, I’ll meet you downstairs, okay?” I smiled.

“Okay, I’ll see you then.” He shut the door quietly behind him and I didn’t rush dressing myself, I wanted to sit there with my thoughts and feelings. It was a lot to process, so many things happened at once and it was just so wonderful. I couldn’t have been any happier to be with Brian, and nothing was going to get in the way of that. I made my way back downstairs where I noticed Brian, Tallulah, Summer and my parents were huddled together. I tucked my hair behind my ear and smiled.
“Hey, what’s going on you guys?” I asked. They looked at me all at once, and Summer had tears in her eyes, Brian looked furious and Tallulah looked sympathetic.
“Is there something you want to tell us Autumn?” I furrowed my brow, and remained silent.
“Because Summer just told us something, maybe you would like to share as well.” I looked at Summer, and grew nervous.

“Yeah, what did she tell you?” I looked to my parents, and they sighed.
“Turns out, Jonathan is Summer’s baby daddy. Also turns out that he was that intruder last night, anything we left out?” I bit my lip and looked to Brian, he looked so hurt.
“Brian…” His hand stopped me from speaking any further, and he just shook his head and walked off. I looked to Summer, and I wanted answers.

“What else did you tell them Summer?” She began to cower, and I saw more tears fall from her face.
“I told him how Jonathan wants to be with you again, and how he said he’ll stop at nothing to be with you,” She paused and looked at me.
“And how you knew this as well,” I grew wide eyed.
“Of course I knew, but that wouldn’t stop me from being with Brian.”
“Really Autumn? You wouldn’t drop everything to be with him again?” She asked.
“Hell no! I wouldn’t do that to Brian, let alone let myself get into that situation again.”
“That never stopped you before,” It was Tallulah who spoke.
“It’s different now,” I looked at them all, and shook my head.

“Fuck this, I know I love Brian. I’m not going to leave him for that asshole, ever. Okay? And why are you all getting after me, I’m not the one who went behind my sisters back, slept with her boyfriend and got knocked up because of it!” I shot a look towards Summer, and I could see the hurt across her face. I grabbed my things and went to find Brian only to run into Jonathan.
“What are you doing here?” I asked harshly.
“I’m here for this,” He pulled me into his body, and as much as I tried to shove him off it didn’t work. He pressed his lips to mine, and I tried to scream, I tried to push him off but it was too late.

“Autumn?” Jonathan happened to pull away at this precise moment, and I looked over to Brian with tears in my eyes.
“Brian, let me explain.” He shook his head.
“No, fuck you Autumn Masters we are over.” I grew wide eyed, and instantly I felt like I couldn’t breathe. Jonathan wrapped his arm around me possessively as Brian walked away, and I could see him get in his car and drive away. I choked on my tears and pushed Jonathan away from me.

“Don’t you ever come near me, or my sister again.” I rushed back inside, rushed past all the screaming questions and went up into my room where moments before Brian and I had made love. I shut the door behind me and stared at the bed which was still a mess, and broke down into tears. I slid down the door, hugging my knees to my chest as I sobbed. I never felt so broken, so empty. I couldn’t believe I had lost him, so suddenly. How could I ever get him back?