Chapter 59: Chapter Fifty-Nine

Everett

It’s not even one in the afternoon, and I am sitting in a bar, nesting my second scotch. I am stressed out. The bar probably wasn’t the best idea, but I didn’t know where else to go. The opportunity to start a new office in London is a great opportunity, not only for the business itself, but also for Hugo and me. If it weren’t for Aubrey, I would have said yes without even thinking about it. Hugo was surprised when I told him I needed to think about it since business has always been my top priority. It took everything in me not to tell him I can’t because I am with Aubrey, but I couldn’t. I am disappointed that Aubrey told me that if I wanted to go, I should. I expected her to tell me not to go without adding anything else to it. This is just my luck. I finally find someone I want to be with, someone I don’t want to push away or have nothing to do with, and then a great business opportunity comes up. I would ask Aubrey to come with me, but how would we explain that one?

I sigh, finish my scotch and order another. The place is quiet, but I like it like that. I have a tough choice to make. A yes is a long time, I don’t even think we would make it. Everything is still new. I will need to leave next month. It won’t even give us a chance to build our relationship, so it will fall apart. I don’t want that, but if I stay, then I am letting Hugo down. He can’t go. He has a wife and kids. He can’t disappear for a year or take them away from their life here. We could find someone else, but Hugo doesn’t sound sold on that idea. We need someone who knows what they are doing, who can be trusted, and who is willing to do what it takes to get things up and running. I am the best man for that job.

I take a sip of my scotch and groan in frustration. Why am I even considering it? Work shouldn’t be my priority anymore. It should be Aubrey. Hugo needs to know my choice by the beginning of next week. I need to talk to Aubrey first before I decide on anything. I finish my third drink and stop there. I don’t want to get drunk. Aubrey would be annoyed if she came to mine, and I was drunk. I pay my tab and exit the bar. I can’t drive home. I will need to take a cab or call my driver. It would be easier if she were coming to my apartment, but we are staying at my house tonight.

I head to the closest grocery store to pick up some things to take home. I need stuff for dinner. I make a quick trip around, then hail a cab to take me home. The driver will appreciate the fare. I tell him my address and settle into the back seat, taking my cell out to see if I have any texts or calls. I haven’t checked it for a while. There is a text from Hugo and a missed call from Aubrey.

Everett, is everything okay? You rushed out of my office. I thought you would have jumped at the opportunity, or has something changed in your life to make you want to stay?

He sent it a few hours ago.

I am fine. It is a lot to think about.

I keep it simple. I don’t want to say too much. I will talk to him at some point. I call Aubrey back. She must have called me on her break. She may not be able to answer. It rings a couple of times.

“Everett, are you okay?”

“I am fine. I am on my way home.”

“Already? Didn’t you go to work?”

“No, I was not in the mood.”

“Are we still okay for tonight? You seemed kind of mad at me.” I can hear the nervousness in her voice.

She must have picked up on it. “I am not mad at you, Aubrey. Yes, we are still on for tonight.”

I don’t want to get into it on the call. I would rather talk to her face-to-face.

“Okay. I need to get back to work. I will see you later.”

“See you later, baby girl,” I reply, then hang up.

I slip my cell into my pocket and close my eyes, massaging my temples. I have been on such a high for the last couple of days, and then this hit. Now, I don’t know what I am feeling. I stare out of the window, lost in my thoughts. Thankfully, the drive isn’t a chatty one because I am in no mood for chatting.

I can’t go to London. I can’t leave Aubrey, not after everything. We have been through so much since we met. I made her every promise in the world. If I up and leave, I will be breaking every single one of them. I will break her heart. I don’t want to be someone else who hurts her. I will tell Hugo no. He doesn’t need to know the reason. I could tell him I am seeing someone without telling him who. But if he and Erica know I am with someone, they will want to meet her, get to know her or ask me why I don’t ask her to go with me.

Everything is supposed to be easy, but now, it has become complicated. Why can’t one damn thing go right? There is a reason I’ve always made sure not to get attached to anything or anyone, because it all ends badly. I get lost in my head so much so that the driver needs to tell me when we arrive at mine. I told him to drop me off outside. There is no point in his driving up the long-assed drive to my house.

“Thank you.” I smile, paying the fare with a good tip.

I grab my bags and let myself in the gates. I drag my feet, low on energy from being overwhelmed by everything. The second I enter my house, I am tempted to reach for another drink, but I won’t. I shouldn’t. I need to be thinking clearly, especially for my talk with Aubrey later. I will work out instead. It is a healthier distraction.