Chapter 40: Chapter Forty

Aubrey

I have been trying hard to sleep, but I can’t. Every time I close my eyes, memories flash through my head, and not the good ones. I have been doing so well recently, and then that bastard had to show up and open old wounds and bring my trauma to the surface. Something, I guess, I need to talk to my therapist about. I have an appointment in a few days. I am not going any sooner, even though it would probably be better if I got an earlier one.

Sighing, I sit up and run my fingers through my wet, messy hair. I am sweating more than I would like. I need a cold shower, which usually helps. I climb out of bed, trying to find the light. I am not familiar with the layout of this room. His bedroom, yes, but not the spare one. I finally find it and head into the on-suite in the room. I shouldn’t wake Everett up that way. I check there are towels, thankfully, there is. I take a moment to work out the shower. I don’t want to break it, but soon the cold water comes through.

I strip down, step in and cover my mouth in case the cold water makes me yelp. I make sure my hair doesn’t get wet. I shudder as the coldness hits me, a small squeak falling from my lips. I adjust after a second. My body is used to it. It is one way that helps me calm down and relax. Why cold water and not warm, I don’t know, but it does. I only stay under it for ten minutes. I can’t manage much longer. Stepping out of the shower, a shiver runs through me, and I quickly wrap a towel around me, rushing back to the bedroom.

“What are you doing, taking a shower at two in the morning?”

The sound of Everett’s voice makes me jump and squeal.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” he says softly.

I glance over and see him standing at the door, tired and confused, with messy hair.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you. I couldn’t sleep or relax. Sometimes a cold shower helps with that.” I answer, sitting at the bottom of the bed, gripping my towel tightly in case it falls off.

Sighing, he comes over and sits next to me. “Do you want to come and sleep in my bed?”

“I don’t want to be a bother.”

“You won’t be. Dry off and change, and then you can come through to my room.”

I could argue, but before I can, he gives me a firm look. I nod, giving in. Too exhausted to fight on it. He smiles, disappearing from the room. I dry off, change and head through to his bedroom. Everett is back in bed, waiting for me. He lifts the covers, patting the spot next to him.

I hurt because I am cold and snuggle myself under the covers. Everett rolls onto his side, facing me and strokes the hair from my face. “Why couldn’t you sleep?”

“Any time I closed my eyes, bad memories popped up.”

“I am sorry, Aubrey. I know how horrible thoughts like that can be.”

“I gave up.”

“Do you want to tell me about them?” he asks.

I shake my head. “No, all I want to do is try and sleep. I am exhausted.”

Everett nods, but I sense he wants me to talk to him about them, but I won’t. I am not ready to tell him. I only tell the people I truly trust, who are Hugo and Erica.

“Try and get some rest.”

Everett kisses the top of my head before switching the lamp off and settling down. He reaches over, his arm coming over my hip, and he brings me close. I snuggle into his chest, feeling more relaxed than I did sleeping alone. Everett tickles the small of my back, and I soon begin to drift off, feeling safe.

I wake to an empty bed after finally getting some decent sleep. I search for my cell but can’t find it. It must be in the spare room where I was originally sleeping. Coming too, I pull myself out of bed, grab my cell from the spare room and head downstairs to find Everett.

“Everett, are you still home?” I call out.

“Hey, sweetie, he isn’t here, but I am.” I am surprised to hear Erica’s voice call back.

I follow her voice to the kitchen. She is making breakfast. “When did you get here? Where are Everett and Hugo?”

“An hour ago. Are you hungry?” she asks, turning away from me as she avoids my question. I feel like her reaction means they are away doing something they shouldn’t be.

“Erica, where are they? Don’t like to me.” I state firmly.

With a loud sigh, she turns back to face me. “They found out where Benji lives. They are going to pay him a visit and warn him to stay away. I tried to talk them out of it, but it was no use.”

“Fuck! I don’t want any of them getting into trouble because of me.” I whimper.

“I am sure it will be fine. They won’t do anything too stupid, Hugo won’t let things go too far, you know that.”

I wish that made me feel better. Hugo has a reason to stop. He has a family. It isn’t Hugo I am worried about, it is Everett. He has a temper.

“They should have left it.” I groan.

Erica comes over, handing me a coffee. “You know that wouldn’t happen, Aubrey, but don’t worry about it, okay? They will be fine, and with any luck, the two of them showing up will make Benji stay away for good. They are protecting you, and no matter what we do or say, that isn’t going to stop. Though I find it a little strange that Everett is so concerned and angry. I know they had a tough upbringing, but Everett isn’t the kind to act in such ways for someone he barely knows.”

I take a sip of my coffee. “Yes, weird,” I say and take a seat.

She doesn’t need to work out that I am lying to her or that Everett and I had something going on for a bit. It would make the situation worse. Hugo won’t want to kill him, not only Benji.

“I am sure they won’t be long. Are you hungry? I made my famous French toast.”

“I will never say no to that.”

Thank God she didn’t pick up on anything. I enjoy my coffee until Erica joins me at the table, dishing out the breakfast between us. The smell and look of it make my stomach grumble. I couldn’t wait to tuck in, and I will try my hardest not to worry about what is going on between the guys and my ex. It is a thought I can’t handle right now. Enough is going on in my head. As long as Hugo and Everett don’t end up in legal trouble, then I don’t care what happens to my ex.