Chapter 12: Chapter Twelve

Aubrey

“Thank you for breakfast. I think I am going to head home now.” I say.

I am thanking him, but he didn’t give me much of a choice. He paid the bill while I was in the bathroom. I was not amused, but didn’t try to fight him on it. There would have been no point.

“You are welcome, beautiful. I will walk you home.”

“You don’t have to. I can make it home alone.” I sigh.

I need to get away from him, not spend more time with him.

An unamused look takes over his face. “It is cute that you think I am asking.”

I roll my eyes, “I am a big girl, Everett. I don’t need your protection.”

He doesn’t say a word. He stands from the chair and comes around to my seat. He removes my coat from the back of my seat and holds it open for me.

“Come on, sweetness.” He smiles.

I sigh once more and get to my feet. I am fighting a losing battle. He puts my coat on for me and fastens it up. I manage to give him a small smile. I can only hope that once he walks me home, he leaves.

Everett rests his hand on the small of my back, and I shudder below his touch. Damn it! My body needs to stop giving me away. He guides me out of the café.

“What are your plans for the rest of the day?” he asks.

“Nothing. You?”

“Pretty much the same. You should come to my place.”

I shake my head. “No, thank you.”

“Why not?”

“Because I don’t want to,” I whisper.

“You would rather be alone?”

“Yes. I prefer it that way.” I shrug.

“Aubrey, it isn’t good to be alone so much.”

“I don’t mind it.”

If he knew what I had been through, he would understand. I have recently learned to enjoy being alone.

“Okay.”

His one-word answer takes me aback. I was expecting more from him. I turn to look at him. His eyes are forward. Even his side profile is perfect. I pull it together and turn away before he catches me staring. He doesn’t need any more things to use against me.

It doesn’t take long for us to arrive outside my building. I stop just before the main entrance.

“Thank you. I am sure I will be fine from here.” I say, hoping he would take the hint.

Everett comes closer to me. I swallow hard and take a couple of steps back. It is something I soon regret. I forgot about the concrete stairs behind me. I stumble against them. Everett tries to grab me, but isn’t fast enough.

I fall back and hurt my back and elbows. Also, my hands when I try to break my fall.

I wince, “Ouch, fuck.”

I don’t know what is hurrying more, me or my pride. I watch panic take over his face.

“Fuck, Aubrey, are you okay?”

He leans down to help me back to my feet. I am so embarrassed.

“I am fine,” I whisper.

I wasn’t, not really. My hands and elbows are stinging. My lower back is hurting.

“No, you are not. Your hands are cut.”

“It is nothing. I am fine.” I say and shrug it off like it is nothing.

I have felt worse pain.

“Do you have a first-aid kit?” he asks.

“Yes.”

“Where are your keys?”

I point to my bag. He takes them out and lets us into the building. I guess he is coming inside. He leads us up to my apartment. The second we step inside, he tells me to sit down until he goes to fetch the first-aid kit.

I slip my coat off and check my elbows. They are all cut, too. They aren’t as bad as my hands since my coat gave me a slight layer of protection. He returns with the kit and kneels before me.

“Have you hurt anything else?”

I nod and show him my elbows. He sighs. “You need to be more careful, beautiful.”

“It isn’t like I did it on purpose.”

He reaches in and strokes my cheek, “I know you didn’t.”

He falls silent as he cleans me up. He makes sure he does it correctly, puts some antiseptic cream on everything and covers them with dressings.

“Make sure you keep them clean, angel.”

“I will. Thank you.” I say softly and kiss his cheek before I can stop myself.

He smiles. “You are welcome. Let me check your back. I know you hurt that, too.”

I am hesitant, but he gives me a firm look. I stand and turn my back to him. When he reaches in to lift my top, I flinch.

“Aubrey, are you okay? Does your back hurt that much?”

I can hear the concern in his voice.

I shake my head. “No, it isn’t that.”

“Then why did you flinch?”

“Forget it. It doesn’t matter. Please, check my back.”

I don’t want to start asking questions. He sighs but does as I ask.

“It is a little red, but it seems okay. I will put some heat gel on it.”

I have some in the kit. He rubs it gently on my lower back. His large hand against my skin causes a shiver to run down my spine.

“All done. You can sit back down.” He whispers in my ear.

I can only nod. I retake my seat. He puts everything away and disappears into my kitchen. What is he doing?

“Everett, why are you in my kitchen?” I call out.

“I am making you some tea.”

I rest back on the sofa and slip my shoes off. I still can’t believe I fell in front of him. Could I be any more of an embarrassment? I shouldn’t be surprised. I always make a fool of myself, no matter what.

Everett returns with two mugs in his hand. He takes his spot next to me and hands me one.

“I put a little honey and lemon in it.”

I smile, “Thank you.”

I take a sip. He has put just the right amount of honey and lemon in it.

“Aubrey, who hurt you?”

“Huh?” I ask, confused.

He turns to face me. “The way you flinched. Someone hurt you in the past. Who was it?”

Oh, that is what he means.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” I reply.

“Aubrey.” He says and reaches for my hand.

I pull it away before he gets to it. “No, I am not discussing it. If you keep pushing, you can leave.”

He doesn’t need to know about my past. No one does.

“I won’t push. I am sorry.” He sighs and takes a sip of his tea.

An awkward silence fills the room. I want to break it, but I have no idea what to say. I wonder if I stay silent long enough, he will leave. Would I have such luck? Probably not. He doesn’t seem to be in any rush to go. Will I be stuck with him for the rest of the day? Perhaps 'stuck' is too harsh a word.

Spending time with him isn’t that bad. I just shouldn’t be doing it behind Hugo and Erica’s backs.