Chapter Seventy-Three

Chapter Seventy-Three
Aubrey

I am nervous as I wait for Erica to return from dropping the kids off at school. I am going to tell her about Everett and me. He plans on telling Hugo tonight. Hugo left for London yesterday afternoon. Everett didn’t want to tell him the first day he arrived. I am more worried about them than me telling Erica. Hugo is going to act worse than Erica. My gut tells me so.

I am sitting out in the yard with my morning coffee. Erica will be here soon. I am staying here for a little while since we haven’t found a new place for me, quite yet. I insisted I would be fine to return the other one, but of course, they never agreed. I sigh, taking a sip of my iced coffee and just as I do, I hear Erica calling out for me.

“I am outside,” I call back.

Erica appears at the door. “I was going to ask if you wanted a coffee, but I see you have one.” She laughs.

“I do.”

“Okay. I am going to make one, and then I will come out to join you.”

I do some breathing exercises before she comes out to calm myself down. I don’t even know the best way to tell her. Do I do it slowly or just blurt it out? I will decide when the moment comes. Five minutes later, Erica appears and takes a seat next to me.

“How was the school run?”

“Hectic as always.” She laughs.

It must be, but Erica thrives on it. She loves being a mom.

“Good.” I smile.

I turn away, getting lost in my thoughts. I don’t know if I can do this. What if she hates me for lying to her? Thinks I am ungrateful after everything they have done for me?

“Aubrey, are you okay?”

With a deep breath, I turn to her. “I need to tell you something, but I am worried you won’t take it well. I worry you will think I am ungrateful and disappointed in me.” I whimper, trying to keep my emotions at bay, but clearly failing.

Her brows furrow, and she places her hand on my knee. “Aubrey, I could never think those things of you. What is going on? Please talk to me? You are worrying me. You usually talk to me easily.”

“Everett and I are together, um, and we have been for a while.”

It would seem I am just blurting it out. I wait for her to get mad at me, yell or walk away. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Erica chuckles. “I was wondering when you would finally tell me.”

“Wait, what? You knew? Does Hugo know? Everett is going to tell him tomorrow.”

“I had my suspicions. I notice the longing stares and the secret smiles and touches. No, Hugo doesn’t know, and to be honest, he won’t take it well. Why didn’t you tell me before now?”

“Because I know what you both think of him when it comes to relationships.”

I am not saying this to be mean. It is the truth.

“Everett isn’t the same man he was six months ago. I can see that. Hugo can see that, but we also know his past and how he treated women. That is why Hugo will be so worried, and because of everything you have been through.”

“Everett isn’t like that now. He was when we were just sleeping together, but not now. He is good to me. He takes care of me. I trust him. We have become very close, and a strong bond has developed between us. As for me, I am doing okay. I am not the broken, vulnerable person I was six months ago.”

“Are you sure this is what you want?”

I nod without hesitation. “Yes, I am certain. You aren’t mad at me? I lied to you.”

“I am not mad at you, Aubrey. You are a grown woman. Everett is a grown man. You both make your own choices in life. Are you happy with him?”

“Yes, I am happy, I would be happier if your husband didn’t send him to London.” I laugh.

Erica laughs. “Sorry about that. As long as you are happy, that is all that matters to me, Aubrey.”

I hug her, glad she isn’t angry at me. “Thank you.”

“Who knew the two of you would be exactly what the other needed?”

I rest my head on her shoulder. “Yes, who knew. I am happy you are okay with it, but I am worried about how things will go between Everett and Hugo.”

Erica sighs. “I wish I could tell you it will be fine, but I honestly don’t know. He will be angry, but hopefully he will be fine when he realizes you aren’t just some fling for Everett.”

I sigh too. “I hope so.”

I will be worried from now until he tells him tomorrow night. I don’t want it to cause any issues between them. They are brothers after all, but Hugo is protective of me. He always treats me as family. I don’t want him to be upset with me either. Maybe we should have done it together. At least if I were there, I could calm them down.

Silence comes between us. I do feel better now that Erica knows. She is the only family I have in my life. I hated lying to her, lying to them. It hasn’t been easy, but I am excited about being able to be open with our relationship and not hide it from the entire world. We can act like a proper couple rather than sneaking around or driving away for a date night. It will be like a weight lifted.

“So, how serious is it?” she asks.

“We are falling in love. Something we shared with one another just before I left London.”

“Wow, I was not expecting that, but I am happy you are both feeling that way. So you were in London last weekend?” she snickers.

“Yes.”

“I should have worked that one out.”

“I am sorry I lied to you.”

“Aubrey, you have nothing to be sorry for. I understand,” she smiles.

I should have known she would. I smile and sit up, feeling so much better and take a sip of my coffee. Now, all I need is for Hugo not to kill my boyfriend, and everything will be fine.