Autumn Storm by Lizzy Ford Read Free Book Online Page A

her
uncomfortable. “I just got here. I’m sure I’m wrong.”
    He was silent.
    “Could you say something please?” she asked
uneasily.
    “Sorry,” he said. He released a breath and
looked at her. “Flashbacks.”
    She was afraid to ask this time. She’d
thought him joking earlier, but there was something he was
remembering that he didn’t like.
    “Do you always do this? Flip moods so
fast?”
    He laughed. “No. I’m the most stable person
I know. Just, uh, dealing with some stuff on the personal side.
Family business I inherited when I turned eighteen few weeks ago.
I’m not used to it yet but am trying to adapt.”
    “Oh,” she said. “’Cuz you’re kinda freaking
me out.”
    “I’m really sorry, Autumn,” he said with
earnestness that left her face warm. “I’d never hurt you.”
    It was an odd thing to say. If she didn’t
think he’d flip into a weird mood again, she’d ask him why he said
it. Instead, she changed the subject.
    They talked most of the way to Newport. By
the time they arrived, the game was just starting, and the skies
were dark. Beck opened the door for her. She stepped out. It was
chillier than she expected.
    “If you get cold, hungry, bored, whatever,
let me know,” he said. “Okay?”
    She nodded, pleased to find him such a
gentleman. Not that she remembered much about him, but this aspect
of him seemed genuinely new. Beck offered his arm. Grateful for the
dark that hid her blush, she took it.
    “We’re meeting a few folks here. Chances
are, our team will get skunked.”
    Autumn glanced up at him as they moved
through the parking lot towards the stadium. The air was clear and
crisp. He had the body of an athlete; she wondered what sports he
played. Swimming? No, not Beck.
    The guy she’d seen leaving the kitchen who
watched the stars with her.
    The memory escaped her again. She was
getting sick of a place that seemed welcoming yet left her so
frustrated.
    “How’s Dawn treatin’ you?” he asked as they
neared the stadium. “She’s not easy to get along with.”
    “No, she’s not,” she agreed. “She leaves me
alone, though, for the most part.”
    “That’s good. She can be a real bitch to new
girls.”
    “I think we’ll end up in an argument
soon.”
    “Careful. She holds no punches,” he warned.
“If it comes to that, move out. Trust me on this one.”
    They entered the stadium. The game was
going, and the bleachers half full. Autumn looked around, enjoying
the excitement in the cool air. With Beck’s soothing touch taking
away her pain, she felt good for the first time in weeks. The wind
sang to her. It was as excited as the fans. The other team’s
marching band blared as they scored, and she jumped.
    “You alright?” Beck asked, glancing down at
her with a smile.
    “Yeah.”
    He turned his attention back to the stands,
searching for his friends. She gazed around again, enamored by the
sense of excitement and normalcy. They climbed the stairs, and Beck
stood aside to let her pass. Biji waved at them.
    Biji.
    Autumn almost stopped, startled she knew the
name of the little Indian girl standing on a bench. Her gaze locked
on the face that was familiar.
    “Biji, Elena, Dylan, this is Autumn, one of
the new girls. And you know Adam and Jenna,” Beck said, motioning
to the five figures waiting for them.
    “Hi, Autumn!” Biji and Jenna chorused.
    Jenna waved, and Adam smiled. Autumn sat
down beside Biji while Beck sat beside her.
    “Beck, I thought you were playing,” Biji
said, leaning around her. Her British accent was thick.
    “Maybe next week,” Beck said with a shrug.
“Football isn’t my thing anyway.”
    “He’s got issues,” Biji whispered to Autumn
then grinned. “When did you get here?”
    “Yesterday.”
    Biji’s smile and voice were familiar. Her
makeup was flawless and her hair shining with health. Autumn felt
happy next to the girl. She saw the air lift a lock of Biji’s hair
and realized Biji was an air element like