Chapter Seventy-One

Chapter Seventy-One
Aubrey

I head downstairs after my call with Everett. It took a lot of convincing for him not to fly home. It would raise too many questions. Hugo is already suspicious enough after Everett demanded to talk to me. This is not how I want Hugo and Erica to find out about us. I stop at the bottom of the stairs as I hear them talking.

“Something is going on, Erica. He was so determined to talk with her and make sure she was okay. I swear, he better not have made his move and succeeded. I love my brother, but he shouldn’t be with Aubrey. He is only going to hurt her. He is already seeing another woman. So, not only is he going to hurt Aubrey, he will hurt Addie too.” Hugo sighs.

I am surprised he hasn’t put it all together and worked out that I am Addie.

“Hugo, if something is going on between them, it is none of our business. We can’t tell them not to. They are adults. Would it be such a bad thing? You must notice the change in Everett. He is not the same person he was a few months ago.”

I am surprised by Erica’s reaction. I expected her to be against it, too.

“Yes, of course I have noticed, but do you really want Aubrey to be with someone like Everett after everything she has been through? My brother doesn’t know how to be in a relationship. He is too scared to let himself fall in love, let someone love him. It will end in heartache.”

I roll my eyes, annoyed at what he is saying. Everett is a good man. He just has his struggles and flaws like everyone else. I understand Hugo’s concern for me, but I know what I am doing.

“Why not? He isn’t a bad guy. I would rather Aubrey be with someone we know and trust than meet some other random guy who turns out to be an asshole. If they want to be together, then we need to let them be. It may work, it may not, but it is something they have the right to figure out. Everett clearly cares for her, Hugo. Look at how he reacted when he found out what happened. Remember the way he was there for her when everything else happened. Aubrey would be good for him. At least we know he would hurt her in the way Benji did. If anything, he will protect her just in the way he has been.”

I smile as I listen to her. I expected Erica to be more against it than Hugo since she and I are blood-related, but by the sound of it, she would be fine with it.

“I don’t know, Erica. I don’t know if I trust him with her. If something is going on, I thought he would have the decency to talk to us about it first before he went for it.”

“Hugo, we don’t even know if anything is going on. Let’s not jump to any conclusions. We can assume something is going on unless they tell us otherwise. I love you for being so protective of Aubrey, but she has to make her own choices, even if we like them or not.”

I need to tell Everett about the conversation and see what he says. It may be a good thing for us to tell them sooner rather than later.

“I guess…” Hugo sighs.

I wait a second before I stroll through to the kitchen to where they are talking. “Hi.” I smile, pretending like I wasn’t just listening to their conversation.

They turn to me, relief taking over their faces. They are glad I didn’t come in a few moments earlier.

“Hey, sweetie. How are you?” Erica asks.

“I am feeling better.”

“Good, do you want some coffee? Food?” she asks.

“Coffee for now. I will get food later.” I smile.

Erica nods and goes to get me a coffee. I take a seat at the table with Hugo. He glances over at me. I feel like he wants to say something, but instead he smiles. He wants to ask me about Everett. I hope he doesn’t because I am a terrible liar. I will end up telling them everything right here and now. I would rather Everett and I tell them together.

“Later, once the kids are in bed, I want to look at new places for you. Somewhere more secure. Or you can move in here with us. We have the room.”

“Hugo, I will be fine where I am. I am not moving in here. I appreciate the offer; it is very kind of you, but I don’t want to be here all the time. I don’t want to be around all the time,” I sigh.

I would feel like I am intruding. They have enough going on without me moving in.

“Aubrey, I am getting you somewhere new to live; it isn’t up for discussion,” he states firmly.

“You know, there is no point trying to fight him on it. I would prefer we find you somewhere else, too. Somewhere new and secure where Benji won’t find you.”

I sigh and nod my head in defeat. It is too against one. There is no point in my trying to change their mind. I don’t like that they pay for me to live somewhere. I would rather pay my way, but I can’t afford somewhere in a secure building.

Hugo smiles brightly. “Then sorted. We can take a look tonight.”

“Thank you. One day, I really hope I can pay you back.”

Hugo shakes his head. “You don’t need to, Aubrey. You are family. We have the funds and means to help you. You don’t owe us anything.” He smiles.

I don’t know where I would be without them. I would probably still be with Benji or dead. I really think if I had stayed with him long enough, that is how it would have ended for me.

Erica joins us at the table and hands my coffee to me. “Are you sure I can’t get you something to eat? You must be hungry.”

“Honestly, I am okay. I will eat later, I promise.” I smile, taking a sip of my coffee.

I feel safe here, relaxed, so I don’t need to be in panic mode. Benji can’t get to me here. I don’t know when I will hear from the cops, well, if I hear from them. I don’t know if they can or will do anything. I will need to wait and see. He is probably hiding out somewhere like the coward he really is. As long as he stays away from me.