LOGINEverettAnger courses through me as I storm off. It is for two reasons. One, because I saw Aubrey with another man. Two, because I hate how jealous it made me. Yes, that night she went on the date set up by Hugo and Erica annoyed me, but this is different. I wanted to punch him! Aubrey is supposed to be mine! No one else’s. I don’t care if she said they are only friends. I know how men work. He is after something even if Aubrey doesn’t see it.I return to Hugo’s office to continue our meeting, cursing under my breath.“What is wrong with you? You were fine when you left. Now, your face is red, and you seem tense.” Hugo asks, confused.“Nothing, I am fine. Can we finish up? I need to go soon,” I sigh, running my fingers through my hair.Hugo doesn’t seem convinced but nods his head. He knows not to push me. We get back to our meeting. I try not to let what happened get to me and focus. I am eager to get out of here. I don’t want to run into Aubrey. It is time for me to return home. I h
AubreyI am finally back at work, again. Thank God, I was going stir-crazy. It took some convincing to get Hugo, Erica and Everett to agree. They are more paranoid than I am. There has been no sign of Benji since the time I thought I saw him. Everett is still staying with me. I thought he would have left by now, but nope. Surprisingly, he isn’t getting on my nerves. He’s the opposite. He is taking good care of me. Everett helps with the housework and cooks my dinner nearly every night. He buys the groceries too. He even offered to help me with some bills while he is staying with me, but I refused. He isn’t living with me. He doesn’t have to pay bills. Hugo and Erica don’t know he is still staying at mine. As far as they know, he is back home and only checks in on me. I don’t like lying to them, but it would seem suspicious that he is still staying with me.“Hey, Aubrey. I am going out for lunch. Do you want to join me?” My colleague, Brooks, asks as he appears at my desk.“Hey, Brooks
EverettI’ve been awake for a bit, but I haven’t moved. I am not ready to see Aubrey. I remembered quickly, once I woke up, that I had opened my big mouth when I was drunk. I didn’t say too, but it was enough. Aubrey didn’t seem to pick up on what I meant. That is something, I guess. I can’t hide in here all morning. A part of me wants to go home because being around Aubrey so much isn’t good for my sanity. I can’t, though. I am not ready to leave her alone yet.Sighing, I sit up and run my fingers through my hair. The bedroom door opens, and Aubrey comes in with two mugs in her hand, with what I assume to be coffee in them.“Welcome back to the land of the living,” she giggles.She doesn’t seem bothered by last night. I won’t bring it up.“Good morning,”Aubrey strolls over to the bed, handing me one of the mugs before she climbs onto the bed next to me, smiling.“Are you rough?” she asks, taking a sip of her coffee.“No, I am okay. I am sorry if I did or said anything stupid or conf
AubreyEverett has been staying at my place for a week. I appreciate him sticking around to make sure everything is okay, but it was getting on my nerves at the same time. I need my own space, and tonight I am getting it. Everett is away out. I don’t know if he is meeting friends or a woman. I didn’t ask. It is none of my business what he is doing. Yes, I am happy to have time alone, but I am also on edge. I keep checking outside every so often. So far, there has been no sign of Benji. There hasn’t been since that night. I can’t help but wonder if he was hiding in the shadows somewhere when Everett went outside, and knowing Everett was here and I wasn’t alone scared him off again. I hope that is what happened.My door is locked anyway, so he couldn’t get in even if he tried. Everett took my spare key with him. Come tomorrow, my apartment will have a security system paid for by Everett. I am on the fence about it, but it is booked and paid for. I may as well give it a try. If I don’t l
EverettI had left Aubrey to sleep. I didn't sleep much after she woke me up. I checked outside a few times to see if Benji was there. He wasn't. I don't know if he ever was or if it was someone else, but there was obviously someone to freak Aubrey out as much as it did. I may need to pay Benji another visit, alone this time. Hugo won't be there to stop me. It probably wouldn't be a good idea, but if I see Aubrey fearful in such a way again, none of that will matter. I will be going.I have got breakfast on to cook. I take my cell and call Hugo to let him know what happened. It rings only a couple of times before he answers."Good morning, big brother.""Morning. I have something to tell you. I stayed with Aubrey last night.""What? Why? What are you doing at her place?"I should have worded it better. I explain what happened, starting from the café until Aubrey woke me up. I left the part out about being in bed with her."But you don't know for sure if it was him?""No, I couldn't se
Aubrey Everett invited himself to stay at mine tonight. Not on the sofa, nope, in my bed with me. I haven’t given him an answer about his suggestion. Everett hasn’t brought it up again. I still don’t know what my answer will be. It isn’t the best idea to start it up again, that is the sensible part of me, but there is also a part of me that wants to tell him yes, let loose with him. My body craves his touch, his lips and every other part of him. No matter what my answer is, it will end the same way—a disaster. Someone is going to get hurt, and that person will be me.I slip out of my bed carefully. It is easy to do since his back is to me. I can’t sleep, and I don’t want to disturb him with my tossing and turning. Sneaking out of the bedroom, I head for the kitchen and make myself some lemon and ginger tea. It may help settle me. I keep all the lights off except the kitchen one. Making tea in the dark wouldn’t end well for me. Once ready, I exit the kitchen, switch off the light, and







