Chapter Seventy

Chapter Seventy
Everett

It is late when I arrive home from the office. I went to work after I dropped Aubrey off at the airport. I wasn’t going to, but I needed a distraction. I am looking forward to our phone call a little later. I sigh as I glance around, hating that I am alone here again. I much preferred it when Aubrey was here.

I groan and toss my thighs down. I need to call Hugo. I always check in with him on a Monday to see how the week started off. He will be back here in no time. I pop the buttons of my coat open, loosen my tie and pour a scotch before settling on the sofa to call him.

It rings a couple of times before he answers. “Hello, big brother.”

“Hey, how are things? How was your day?”

He sighs loudly on the other end. Something is wrong. “Not so good.”

“Why, what happened? Is everything okay? Is Erica and the kids okay?” I panic.

“We are all fine. It is Aubrey. When she came home from her trip, her apartment was wrecked; something had broken in and destroyed the place. We assume it was Benji. The cops came out, took a statement, photos and are going to check the cameras.”
My chest tightens. “What? Is she okay? Where is she?”

I am going to kill the bastard. Why hasn’t Aubrey told me? It would have been a few hours ago.

“She is fine, shaken up. She is staying here with us. I don’t even know how he got in. Thank God she wasn’t home. I am going to find her somewhere new to stay. Somewhere more secure where that bastard can’t get to her.” He hisses.

I stand and start to pace, worry taking over me. I need to go home. I need to be with Aubrey. I don’t even care if it means our relationship is out in the open. I am not leaving her alone.

“I am going to kill him. Are you sure she is okay? Can I talk to her?” The worry in my voice is evident.

Hugo falls silent for a moment. “She is sleeping right now. I promise she is okay.”

He is confused about why I am so eager to talk with her. Yes, he knows we are sort of friends, but he doesn’t think we are close enough for me to be so concerned. I wish she had told me.

“Hugo, please go and wake her up. I need to talk to her.”

I am being pushy, but as I said, I don’t care if he works it out. I need to talk to her.

“Everett, what is going on? Why are you so determined to talk to her? I know the two of you are kind of friends, but you seem more worried than you should be.”

“Nothing is going on. We are friends, and I want to talk to her and make sure she is okay. Can you please put her on the phone?” I reply through gritted teeth. I am losing patience.

“Fine, but our conversation isn’t over. What aren’t you telling me? I swear, see if there is more going on, you and I will be having words. She is vulnerable enough; she doesn’t need you messing her around, especially if you are already seeing someone,” he warns.
God, I want nothing more than to tell him to shut the fuck up, and we can do as we want. I want to tell him that Aubrey and I are together, and there is nothing he can do about it. I am glad to know how highly my brother thinks of me, not. Surely, he can see I am not the same person I was a few months ago?

I take a deep breath before I say something I shouldn’t. I can’t out us like this without Aubrey having a say. “You don’t know what you are talking about. We are friends, put her on the phone, Hugo.”

“Fine.” He snaps.

The line falls silent, and I hear him walking. “Aubrey, Everett wants to talk to you.” He says softly.

I hear Aubrey let out a tired groan, but soon her voice rings through the phone. “Hello.”

“Are you okay? Hugo told me what happened. Why didn’t you tell me?”

My voice is calm because I am not angry with her. I just wish she had told me.

“I am fine. I promise. I didn’t tell you because I know you were busy.”

She will be careful what she says, especially if Hugo is still in the room.

“You should have called me. Do you want me to come home? I will jump on the next available flight.”

“No, it is okay. You don’t need to do that. I am okay. I am staying with Hugo and Erica right now. I am safe here.”
“Okay, but call me later when you are alone, okay? Sooner rather than later.”

“I will. I promise.”

I didn’t want to say goodbye, but I have to, for now. Once I am off the call with Hugo, I will call her. We say our goodbyes, and she hands it back to Hugo. I hate that I am not there with her.

“I told you she was fine, Everett. Now, do you want to tell me what the fuck is going on?” he hisses.

“Nothing is going on. I am not going to explain myself just because I wanted to talk to her. She is my friend. I know what she has been through.”

“That better be the truth, Everett.”

“I am done with this conversation, Hugo. You either change the subject, or I am hanging up.”

I have no idea if he believes me, but I honestly don’t give a fuck. Aubrey and I are together; there is nothing he can do about it when we do tell him. He changes the subject to business. I am not listening to him, really, because I am too busy thinking about Aubrey and seriously considering going home. I am supposed to be the one protecting Aubrey, and now, because of stupid business, I am stuck thousands of miles away, helpless and not there to do what I am supposed to be doing.

Hugo stays on the call for another five minutes before we hang up. Now, I can talk to Aubrey without Hugo being there and stopping us from having a proper conversation. If she asks me to come home, I will be on the first available flight to her. I will worry about the consequences when they happen.