Falling for Autumn Read Free

dark blond hair and securing it with a clip, I hustled out of my room. My hair fell in waves down to my mid-back and it took me at least an hour to get it to cooperate and not look as if I’d been stuck outside during a hurricane.
    On my way across campus, I rechecked my schedule for the building and room number of my class. Cook University’s academic buildings were arranged in a circular pattern on one side of the campus with the dormitories set on the other side. It was about a fifteen-minute walk to get from the dorms to most classes and I increased my pace to get to the arts building on time.
    Art history was a required general ed class. Since I was torn over my major, I decided to take the general education courses I needed during my freshman and sophomore years, hoping a few electives would help me find my niche.
    Breezing into class with a few minutes to spare, I stopped just inside the doorway, scanning the room to see if I recognized anyone. A few students started to gather behind me and I hurried forward while trying to find the nearest empty desk.
    “Autumn, over here,” a voice called to my left. Following the direction of the voice, I groaned inwardly as I saw Blake gesturing at me. He set a pencil on the desk next to him as I took slow and measured steps to the back of the classroom. Typically, I sat at the front, but an invisible force pulled me to him. Based on our awkward first meeting, I was surprised by my willingness to go anywhere near him.
    A petite girl with dark curly hair reached the chair before I did. As she moved to sit next to Blake, he gave her a sheepish grin. “Sorry, Laura, I promised Autumn I’d save her a seat.”
    Laura spun around and I saw heat flare in her dark eyes as she appraised me from head to toe. She was beautiful, with full red lips and round eyes with midnight black lashes. If Blake was passing her over for me, he was a fool. Before I could offer up the chair to her, she darted to the other side of the room. I barely knew Blake and it was already the second awkward situation I found myself in with him.
    “Thanks,” I mumbled. Placing my backpack next to my chair, I felt Blake watching me as I pulled out a notebook and opened it. I shifted in my seat. “So, art history, huh?”
    “Yeah, it was either this or intro to art and I suck at drawing. Once I finish this and my philosophy class, I’ll have all the general ed classes I need for graduation.” He leaned back into his chair, forcing me to turn around to address him. His long legs stretched in front of him, and an air of confidence surrounded him.
    “What’s your major?”
    “Economics,” he answered. “Once I’m done playing football, I’ll probably go for my MBA.”
    “Are you any good?”
    “What? At football?” he asked with surprise evident in his expression. While he seemed to mull over my question, I studied his features once again. The dim lighting at the party hadn’t done him justice. His eyes were an even more vibrant green than I’d realized, with darker flecks swirling in their depths. His light-brown hair was absurdly messy, but looked perfectly styled at the same time.
    “Yeah ,” I replied.
    “I’m guessing you never went to a game then because you wouldn’t be asking that question otherwise.”
    I bit down on my lower lip. Why was I bothering to talk to him? I hated guys like him. I’d gone to high school with his carbon copies. They thought because they could throw a damn ball, they were entitled. Blake was treading a fine line between coming off as self-assured and acting like a condescending dick.
    He seemed to read my expression. “I’m not trying to sound arrogant, but I’m a running back and I’ve scored the most touchdowns for the season. I was featured in the campus newspaper a bunch of times. I was also the MVP of the team. Ringing a bell yet?” I shook my head. He laughed and I relaxed my shoulders at the sound. His laugh was unrestrained and made his chest vibrate.