Chapter 48: Chapter Forty-Eight

Aubrey

Everett invited himself to stay at mine tonight. Not on the sofa, nope, in my bed with me. I haven’t given him an answer about his suggestion. Everett hasn’t brought it up again. I still don’t know what my answer will be. It isn’t the best idea to start it up again, that is the sensible part of me, but there is also a part of me that wants to tell him yes, let loose with him. My body craves his touch, his lips and every other part of him. No matter what my answer is, it will end the same way—a disaster. Someone is going to get hurt, and that person will be me.

I slip out of my bed carefully. It is easy to do since his back is to me. I can’t sleep, and I don’t want to disturb him with my tossing and turning. Sneaking out of the bedroom, I head for the kitchen and make myself some lemon and ginger tea. It may help settle me. I keep all the lights off except the kitchen one. Making tea in the dark wouldn’t end well for me. Once ready, I exit the kitchen, switch off the light, and head to the living room to sit by the window. I love the city at night. With all the pretty lights and barely a soul in sight, there is something calming about it.

I slip a blanket around my shoulders and sip on my tea. Everything outside seems so still. A feeling of calmness washes over me, but it only lasts a second because a figure appears outside my building. It is too dark to make out who it is, but they are standing at the other side of the road, staring up at my apartment. The person's stature is familiar. It could fit Benji. I disappear out of sight from my window before I am noticed. My heart pounds against the wall of my chest, and my breathing becomes erratic. Has Benji been stalking my apartment at night to go unnoticed? I thought Everett had someone watching him? Unless they slipped away in the darkness without being seen. I start to hyperventilate. No, I can’t allow myself to get in such a state over him! I don’t even know for certain if it is him.

Trying to stand, I can’t. The feelings in my legs are gone. I close my eyes, taking a few deep breaths and finally manage to bring myself to my feet, rushing to my bedroom.

“Everett,” I say loudly, shaking him.

He wakes quickly. “Aubrey. What is wrong?” he panics, sitting up.

“There is someone outside watching the apartment.” I whimper.

“I warned that bastard to stay away.” He hisses.

He jumps out of bed, slipping into his shoes and hoodie.

“Where are you going?”

“Where do you think?”

I don’t get a chance to say another word because he darts from the bedroom, and I hear the front door open and close. Shit! I shouldn’t have said anything. Everett shouldn’t go out there alone, not in the dark. What if Benji has a weapon on him? I slip into my shoes and run out after him. I would never forgive myself if something happened to him.

When I reach outside, Everett is looking around. There is no one there anymore. Was anyone ever there, or was I imagining things?

“Everett,” I whisper from behind him.

Everett swings around to face me. “What are you doing out here? Go back inside.”

“No. I am not leaving you alone. Did you see him? I don’t even know if it was him.”

He shakes his head. “No, there was no one here when I came outside.”

I glance around, still nervous and on edge in case he appears out of nowhere. “Was I imagining things?”

“I am not sure, but there is no one around, not that I can see of. Come on, I want you back inside. I knew I shouldn’t have let you come home so soon.” He sighs, resting his hand on the small of my back, leading me back inside.

“I can’t live my life in fear, Everett.”

“I know that, but you were safer at my place.”

“I am sorry I made you come out in the cold for nothing.”

I swear I am losing my mind.

“You have nothing to be sorry for.”

We enter the apartment. Everett makes sure the door is locked up. He goes over to the window to see outside. He closes the curtains.

“Is he out there again?”

“No, there is no one there. Why are you up? You should be asleep.” His voice is soft.

“I couldn’t sleep. I wanted some tea to see if it would help, but when I looked outside, I saw him or whoever it was.”

“It is time for you to go back to bed. You are safe inside. I am right here.”

I nod, and we return to the bedroom. Everett makes sure I am under the covers first before he slips into bed to join me. I am trying to ignore my shaky hands and the horrible, sick feeling in my stomach. I hate that Benji can still affect me like this. He can’t get to me. I am no longer alone. I have people in my life who want to look after me and protect me. He isn’t the only one I have. Even if I didn’t have anyone, I would never go back to Benji.

“What if he has been stalking my apartment at night?” The tears which have been building in my eyes roll down my cheeks.

“Aubrey, you should come back and stay with me or let me stay here with you, just for an extra few days to keep an eye out. There is still someone watching him, but I know it isn’t impossible for Benji to slip away unnoticed.”

I want life to return to normal, but at the same time, if I am alone, I will be in constant fear. Who wants that? I don’t like feeling this scared or weak. I honestly believed I was past it, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.

“Can you stay here with me? I want to sleep in my bed, in my apartment. I can’t allow him to keep me from my home.”

“Yes, I can do that. I will stay for as long as you need.”

I manage a smile. “Thank you.”

Everett reaches over and wipes my tears away. “Please don’t cry, everything will be okay. Lie down and try to get some sleep, okay?”

I nod, too tired to use my words. Exhaustion has taken over me. I lie down, turning my back to him. He switches off the light and takes his place behind me. His arm drapes over my hip, pulling me back against him to cuddle me into his body. I don’t fight against it. Not another word is spoken. Closing my eyes, I pray for sleep to take over.

Tomorrow is a new day, a better one with any luck.