Chapter Eighty

Chapter Eighty
Everett

Aubrey and I arrive at Hugo and Erica’s house, driving up the driveway to collect her belongings to bring back to mine. It feels odd to walk in together and not conceal our relationship. I’m unsure of how they will respond. I stop the car outside, turn off the engine, and prepare to get out. However, before I can, Aubrey reaches out for me, stopping me. I turn to her, puzzled.

“Are you okay, angel?”

“My answer is yes. I don’t need to think about it any longer,” she smiles.

“Really? You mean it?” My voice clearly shows my excitement.

Aubrey leans over and gently kisses me. “Yes, I truly mean it.”

I expected her to take longer to decide, but I am glad it didn’t.

“I can’t wait. Should we tell them while we’re here?” I ask.

Aubrey sighs. “Yes, I believe we should. I don't know exactly how it will go, but they will need to come to terms with it.”

“Yes, they will. Do they know we are coming?”

Aubrey nods. “Yes, I texted Erica to let her know we are on our way.”

“Okay.”

Nervousness consumes me, even though I shouldn’t be nervous. I have no reason to feel this way. Aubrey and I are together, and what others think doesn't matter.

Aubrey kisses me softly. “It will be fine.”

I hope she's correct. It takes us a moment, but at last, we step out of the car. I put my hand on her lower back, leading her to the front door. She knocks, and we stand by for someone to answer. Normally, we'd walk in, but since the kids aren’t home, who knows what those two might be doing with the place to themselves. I’d prefer not to walk in on whatever they’re up to.

The door opens, and I relax upon seeing it is Erica. It grants me a brief moment to get ready to see Hugo.

“Aubrey! Everett!” she gushes, telling us to come in and greeting us both with a hug. Someone is in a good mood, and by the slightly messy hair and flushed face, I know why. I don’t plan to comment on it.

“Good morning.” I smile as we part.

“This is a nice surprise. What brings you both here? I didn’t expect to see either of you for at least a week, since you have some time to make up for.” She giggles.

I chuckle, understanding her meaning, while Aubrey blushes and looks down. Just then, Hugo shows up. He looks between Aubrey and me, sees my hand on her lower back, and seems a bit uncomfortable with it.

Aubrey greets him with a hug, while he and I nod at one another, saying good morning. Things are still a little weird between us, but I refuse to let it ruin my good mood.

“What brings you both by?” he asks.

Aubrey looks at me, chewing her lips nervously before turning back to them. “I came to get my things.” Her words are a little shaky.

“Because Aubrey is moving in with me. There will be no need to find her somewhere new.”

Aubrey is too nervous to say the words. Hugo and Erica’s eyes widen, clearly shocked.

“What? Really? When was this decided? Are you both ready for such a huge step?” Erica asks softly.

“Yes, we are ready for it. We have been talking about it for the last few days,” Aubrey answers.

“I am happy for you both if it is what you want,” Erica beams.

Hugo doesn’t look as pleased by what he just heard. He glances between us, shaking his head. “Seriously? You really think you’re ready for that? Isn’t it too much, too soon? You haven’t even been together that long.”

There is a slight annoyance in Hugo’s voice. I am not surprised. I knew he would have a problem with it, even though it had nothing to do with him. Why can’t he be happy for us? I have proved, in more ways than one, that I love Aubrey. What else does he want from me?

“Yes, we are. No, it isn’t too soon. What does that matter? You two were engaged to be married by this stage in your relationship.” I try to stay calm, not wanting to get into another argument with him over this.

“That was different,” he snaps.

“How? How was that different? Because it was you, not me?” I snap back.

He tries to respond, but Erica cuts him off. “I’m tired of your fighting. Act your age! Just fix it. Here’s what’s going to happen: both of you are going into the living room to talk — I mean talk, not argue. I swear, I’ll lock you in there until you sort it out. Hugo, step back; they’re adults and happy. Everett, back off, he’s very protective. Now, go to the living room and stay there until you resolve this.”

Her voice is firm. We sigh, apologize, and nod. We're both scared of her. She doesn’t take any nonsense. Shaking her head, she takes Aubrey’s hand and leads her to the kitchen, leaving the two of us standing there, awkwardly.

“I said, get your asses into the living room,” Erica calls out.

We groan in unison but follow the instructions, heading into the living room to sit and chat. I’m unsure what she expects us to discuss, as it seems Hugo will never fully support anything related to Aubrey and me.

“Is there even a point to this? You have already made your feelings clear,” I say.

“Of course, there is a point to it, unless you want my wife to kill us both? She is right. We are acting like children. We need to fix this once and for all.”

“Is that going to be possible?”

Hugo sighs and runs his fingers through his hair. “Yes, it is. We need to talk, not fight. We are brothers, not enemies, and we need to start acting like that.”

It is fine with him saying all of this, but that doesn’t mean it will work. We have tried this before, and look how that went. I guess trying one more time can’t do any harm.