Chapter Sixty-Three

Chapter Sixty-Three
Everett

I knew this goodbye was going to be hard, but I don’t think I realized how hard until now. Aubrey is sitting across from me in the car outside the airport. Her eyes filled with sadness, tears brimming in them, but she is forcing them back because she doesn’t want to cry. I should never have agreed to this! I feel guilty for leaving her. Aubrey needs me here, not thousands of miles away for an entire month. What if Benji comes back? Who is going to be there to protect her? I should be, but I won’t be.

The tears she is trying to hold back begin to roll down her cheeks. My chest constricts as I watch her. It is like a stab in the heart since I am the cause of the tears. I reach in and wipe them away with my thumb.

“Aubrey, please don’t cry,” I whisper. It is making everything harder.

A whimper escapes from her lips. “I am sorry. I promise myself I wouldn’t cry.”

“Tell me to stay and I will. Just say the words, and I will call Hugo and tell him I can’t go after all.”

“Everett, I would love it if you could stay, but you can’t. It is too late. Hugo is counting on you,” she sighs.

I reach for her hand, holding it tightly. “I am sorry, I need to leave you. Please know that I don’t want to.”

Aubrey forces a smile. “I know you don’t want to leave. We will be okay. I will see you in a couple of weeks, right?”

I squeeze her hand. “Yes, you will.”

Her flight is booked to come. She doesn’t need to book a hotel; I am renting an apartment for my time in London, so she will stay with me there.

I glance over my shoulder at the airport and back at Aubrey.

“You need to go in a minute,” she says sadly.

I nod. “Yes, I do. Are you sure you don’t want to come with me? I can book you on the flight right now.”

“You know I can’t. I have work, and it would look too suspicious to Hugo and Erica.”

It was worth a try. “I know.”

I sigh loudly and reach over, pressing my lips to hers. Aubrey moans softly and rests her hand on my cheek, kissing back. A moan soon escapes my lips, too. We are hesitant to part.

“Please let me know when you have landed safely in London.”

I caress her cheek with my thumb. “I promise. If you need me call, okay? I will jump on the next flight back.”

“I will be okay. You go do what you need, handsome and then come back home.”

“Remember, if you want to get away, you have the codes you need for my house.”

I made sure she had them in case she wanted to get away from the city or if that bastard showed up. She will be safer at my house.

“I know.” She smiles, kissing me again.

The kiss lingers before I don’t have a choice but to put distance between us. “I really need to go.”

Aubrey chews on her lower lip, trying to fight back her tears once again. “I will talk to you soon.”

I nod, let go of her hand and wrap my arms around her, hugging her tightly to me. I stroke her hair. “I will see you in a couple of weeks.”

“I will look forward to it.”

Pulling apart, I place a kiss on her forehead and squeeze her knee. “I will see you soon.” I smile, but like hers, it is forced.

“I will miss you too.”

“I will miss you too, beautiful.”

I take a deep breath, finally getting out of the car and grab my things, heading towards the airport. I don’t look back. I can’t because if I do, I will end up changing my mind and going back home with her.

If I’d known I would need to be away for a month, I wouldn’t have started anything between us until I returned. It is like some sick twist of fate. The first time in my life I really cared about someone, and the first time I was willing to be honest and open with someone, this happened. I wouldn’t change anything, though. Aubrey is probably one of the best choices I have made in my life. If I were to leave a couple of months ago, I wouldn’t have cared. I would have gone and forgotten about everything and everyone. If I weren’t with Aubrey, I would have gone to London for an entire year without thinking twice about it.

I pull it together as I stroll in to get sorted for my flight. It is first class, so at least I will be comfortable. I take my cell out and notice a text from Aubrey sent only a moment ago.

I know this is hard for both of us, but I promise, we will be okay xx

I wonder why she texted me this. Does she think I am worried it would work because we will be apart? I don’t know.

I know we will, angel. I have no doubt about it. Please drive home safely xx

Good! Have a safe flight xx

The conversation ends there, and I slip my cell away because I need to go through customs. It is only two weeks until I will see her, and then less than two weeks before I can return home to her. I will manage. I need to. Hugo will be flying out next week for a few days to see how things are going and how he can help. While he is in London with me, Aubrey will be staying with Erica, the kids, and the dogs to keep her company and help out. It will give them both some company.

I have a seven-hour flight ahead of me. I will occupy myself with work and sleep. We didn’t sleep much last night, for two reasons. One, none of us were in any rush to sleep; we spent a lot of the night talking and the other part of the night having sex. The next month is going to be hell, but after it’s over, I don’t plan on disappearing anywhere else. If I do, it will be a few days here and there to check on the London branch until everything is up and running. It will take time to get it where we need to be, and once we’re there, I won’t need to return.