Chapter 42: Chapter Forty-Two

Aubrey

I’ve been anxious since I woke, not knowing what is going on with Hugo and Everett while they are paying a visit to Benji. I don’t want them to get in trouble.

“Aubrey, relax, they will be back soon. Have you taken your medication this morning?” Erica asks.

I shake my head. “I don’t have it.” It is probably why my anxiety level is so high.

“Why didn’t you tell me to pick it up?” she asks softly.

“It was the last thing on my mind.” I sigh, flopping down on the sofa. I’ve been pacing for the last ten minutes.

“I will go and pick it up for you once the guys return. Please try to calm yourself down, okay? Everything will be fine. They will give him a warning.”

I nod, but I won’t relax until they return. I rest back on the sofa, closing my eyes and taking a few deep breaths, hoping to calm the racing of my heart down before I end up having a panic attack. I don’t need one of those. I have enough going on. The sound of the front door opening grabs my attention, and I jump to my feet, waiting for them to come in.

The second they come into view, I rush over. “What happened? Please tell me you didn’t do anything that would get you in trouble. Is he still alive?”

“Aubrey, everything is fine, and of course, he is still alive. Nothing happened that would get us in trouble. I promise. We just gave him a few firm warnings, nothing more.” Hugo answers.

“He shouldn’t be bothering you again if he knows what is good for him. I will have someone keeping an eye on him to make sure he stays away.” Everett adds in.

I wasn’t sure if I believed them. Before I could stop myself, I checked them both over, making sure there were no marks or blood on them. I even checked their knuckles to see if they were red or swollen. Everything seems okay.

“I promise, we didn’t hurt him, no matter how tempting it was.” Everett tenses. He must have wanted to hurt him, but I am glad he didn’t.

I relax, my muscles untensing. “Thank you.”

I hug Hugo first. “You know I always have your back, Aubrey.”

“I know,” I reply and part from the hug.

I turn to Everett and hug him, too. He seems hesitant, but hugs back. My breath catches in my throat with the closeness between us. I thank him and pull away quickly, not wanting Hugo or Erica to sense there is something more between us. Everett clears his throat and runs his fingers through his hair. The hug didn’t only affect me, it would seem.

“We come with lunch and coffee.” Hugo smiles, and they set everything down.

“Thanks, my love. After lunch, I need to go to Aubrey’s place to pick something up.” Erica said.

The guys seem confused about what she is talking about. She doesn’t want to say out loud what it is because she probably thinks Everett doesn’t know.

“My medication. I can go and get it.”

“No, you won’t. You aren’t going back to your apartment yet. Not until we know for sure he will stay away.” Everett states firmly.

I roll my eyes, fighting the urge to protest, but what would be the point? In this situation, it is three against one. Neither of them will allow me to go back to my apartment straightaway.

“Fine!” I whine.

“You will return soon, we promise, but until then, you can stay with us.” Hugo smiles.

“Yes, now, how about we all go outside and have lunch there? After I will go and get your medication.” Erica suggests.

Everyone nods, and we all head outside to eat lunch.

Hugo and Erica left to go and get my medication. Everett is inside on a work call. I am still outside, enjoying the fresh air and sun. I slip my shoes off, go to the pool, and dip my feet in. Resting back in my hands, I sigh. I want to go home. I don’t mind being here with Everett or staying with Erica and Hugo, but I would much prefer to be at my apartment.

I don’t know what the guys said to Benji, but I hope it is enough to stay away.

“Can I join?” Everett’s voice asks from behind.

“Of course. It is your house.”

Everett strolls over, taking his spot next to me, his feet in the water too. “Are you doing okay? If I knew you didn’t have your medication, I would have picked it up before now.”

“I am okay. It is fine. I only missed one day.” I shrug and rest my head on his shoulder. “Thank you, Everett, for the last twenty-four hours. What did you say to him?”

It surprises me when his arm wraps around me, bringing me closer to him. “It doesn’t matter what I said. All you need to know is, he shouldn’t be around any longer.”

I stop from rolling my eyes. Why won’t they tell me what they said? I don’t say anything else about it. Silence comes between us. It isn’t an awkward one. It is comfortable.

“You don’t need to stay with Hugo and Erica. You can stay here with me for a few days. It will be quieter.” He suggests breaking the silence.

“I don’t mind the noise. And do you really want me staying with you any longer than I need to, Everett? You didn’t feel comfortable when I used to spend the night here with you for more than one night.”

It is the truth. It is one of the reasons he cut me off, I believe, because of the sleepovers we were having. Why would he want me to stay now?

“This is different, Aubrey. We aren’t sleeping together anymore. We are friends, and friends protect friends. The choice is yours.”

“I don’t know because don’t you think it would look a little suspicious to them?”

A part of me thinks I would be better here. Erica and Hugo have enough to deal with in life. They have their family and work. Do I really need to add to that?

“No, not really. Think on it, and you can let me know, okay?”

“Okay,” I reply, sitting up straight.

Sighing, he removes his arm from around me. “I have another call to make. Take a swim if you like. You will find shorts and a tee in my room.”

He stands, heading inside without another word. Does he really have a call to make, or is he just trying to get away from the conversation we were having? A swim sounds like a good distraction, but I don’t feel comfortable going to rummage through his room. I will stay where I am. I am relaxed anyway. Staying here with Everett may be better, but I also worry that if I am around him for too long, I will end up breaking and doing something stupid like hopping into bed with him. Something I am not ready for.