“Dammmmnnnnnn,” Cameron and Sam chortle as they approach.
“These two are too drunk for a diner. I’ll take them back to Max’s and order pizza or something. I’ll catch up with you guys tomorrow.”
Nash tries his hardest to come back with us, but again, Aubrey shuts him down. She subtly threatens his manhood and giving warning glares to Jacey who blushes innocently, though I doubt the girl has an innocent bone in her body.
I help the girls to the car, deposit them both in the backseat and set out for Max’s apartment. The drive isn’t far, but I can’t get there fast enough. Max was right. The squeals. Oh, the squeals. About everything. Every fast food place we pass, Jacey whines for a cheeseburger. Every store, Aubrey cries for a dress. When we pass the pack of men riding their bikes down the road, both girls hang out the window, hooting and hollering at how sexy they are in their spandex shorts. It’s a shit show, but I am amused to see Aubrey in her natural element. She and Emma together are one thing, but Jacey brings out a whole side of Aubrey I’d never thought possible.
“All right, ladies, here we are.”
They jump out of the car and rush to the lift, fighting over who is going to get to use the bathroom first. It must be habit—since Max’s apartment has two toilets–but I don’t argue. I let them fight because it’s adorable, to say the least.
As soon as we’re inside, they race down the hall, and I pull out my phone to order a pizza. They’re only going to be content on the toilet issue for so long, then they’ll be back on me for food. Unsure of what either girl prefers on their pizza, I order one with just cheese and the rest loaded with just about every topping available.
Sitting on the couch once the order’s placed, I get a little worried. It’s awfully quiet in the back part of the apartment. Of all the things the girls have been since they got their first drink, quiet isn’t one of them. Wanting to check on them without being overbearing, I tiptoe down the hall and peek inside Aubrey’s room, noticing their clothes are scattered across the floor. I can’t help the thoughts that enter my mind when I hear the shower running. This could be a dream come fucking true. Two hot chicks in a shower … naked … together? Yeah, I’m checking. I can’t help it.
Slowly pushing open the bathroom door, the girls are sitting in the bathtub, letting the shower rain down upon them. And they’re not even naked—each of them wearing their bra and underwear.
“What the hell is going on?” I laugh.
“We’re in a rainforest, dummy. What’s it look like?” Jacey says defensively.
“I like the rainforest. It’s really pretty and the rain feels amazing,” Aubrey adds.
“You know you’re in a tub, right?” I ask, worried I should take them to the hospital or something. Hallucinations aren’t usually a thing when I drink.
“Aubs, tell this Dancing Drew to mind his own business.”
“Dancing Drew, mind your business,” Aubrey mimics like a parrot.
“Okay. Not my circus, not my monkeys.” Slowly stepping out of the bathroom, my hopes and dreams of hot, naked chicks in a shower completely busted, I walk down to the closet for some towels for the girls. Hopefully before the food comes, they’ll want to leave the rainforest and join the rest of us in Oz for something to eat. Hopefully…
Thinking a shower’s in order for myself, too, I call downstairs to let the doorman know I’m expecting someone and to let him up when he arrives.
“This is Drew Ditner from Max Rosewood’s apartment. I’m expecting someone shortly. Can you send them up when they get here, please?”
“Thanks, Mr. Ditner. I’ll be sure to do that.”
I have a long shower, my mind on Aubrey as I lean against the shower wall and let the hot water run down my back. I feel like I’m learning something new about her every day, and she never stops amazing me. How can this chick I’ve known all my life be so full of surprises? And so fucking hot.
I lather my body with what I’m guessing is Aub’s body wash, judging by the smell. My hand moves south and wraps around my cock. Thinking about her has me hard as fuck, and I slowly work my fist up and down my length. I groan, imagining for a second that she’s in here with me and I’m pressing my dick against her curvy arse.
Keeping my voice low, as to not interrupt the girls in their rainforest, I continue to stroke myself, all thoughts on Aubrey. My head’s consumed with the way she feels wrapped around my cock, her body convulsing around me, her legs wrapped around my back, her nails scratching, her teeth nipping… As the erection becomes painful, I come all over the tiled wall of the shower.
Feeling like a million bucks, I stop back in Aubrey’s room after I get dressed and tell the girls their field trip is over and food will be here in a little while. No sooner, someone knocks on the door and I grab my wallet from the sofa to meet the delivery man.
“Sorry, man. What do I owe you?” I ask, searching through my wallet for the appropriate bills. He doesn’t answer, so I look up and realise he’s not holding any boxes.
“Oh, shit. I thought you were the pizza guy. Can I help you?”
“Yeah, I was looking for Aubrey Rosewood. Is this her place?” he responds, and I look at him quizzically. Aubrey and Emma didn’t really have any guy friends when they were younger, nor does this man have an Australian accent. American? Who would be coming to see her from the States?
“She’s here. Yes.”
“You must be Max, right? You look really well for being ill. I’m glad you’re doing better.” The guy smiles. He’s so friendly, I can’t help but smile back. I take his outstretched hand and shake it.
“No. I’m not Max, he’s still in hospital. Want me to tell him you came by?” Maybe a friend Max made when visiting Aubrey overseas? But why would he ask for Aubs? None of this is making sense.
“If you’re not Max, but you’re in Max’s apartment, who are you?” he asks, his smile faltering a little as he seems as bewildered as I do. At least none of us know what the hell’s going on.
“I’m Drew, a friend of the Rosewoods.”
“Okay, hey, Drew. I’m Nate and I’m just looking for my girlfriend. You said Aubrey’s here, right?”
“Is Jacey your girlfriend? She’s here, too.”
“No, Jacey got lost at the airport. I’m glad she made it, but I said I was looking for my girlfriend. Aubrey Rosewood. Actually, I’m hoping by the end of the night, she’ll be my fiancée.” He puffs up his chest, obviously intimidated.
“Sure. Let me get her.” My words are cold and uninviting. He takes the hint and waits in the hall.
Walking back to Aubrey’s room, I open the door quickly and her smiling, happy face soon changes when she sees the way I’m looking at her.
“What is it? Max? Is he okay?” she asks in a panic.
“He’s fine. However, your boyfriend is at the door. Should I invite him in?” This is exactly why I don’t do love, as I’ve said before. Because it slaps you in the face. Looks like sweet little Aubrey got one over on me, didn’t she? Got her childhood fantasy acted out and gets the help her brother needs. All the while she’s carrying on with me, she’s got a man at home. I fucking knew better.
“My who?” she asks, and Jacey rushes past me and into the living room.
“Oh, shit!” Jacey yells, and Aubrey follows her friend.
“Well, fuck,” Aubrey says when we both reach the living room. “Drew, seriously. It’s not what you’re thinking. This is Nate.”
“Don’t worry, Aubs. We’ve already met. How about I catch you guys around?” I toss some money on the couch for when the food does arrive and step past Nate and head to the lift.
“Andrew Ditner, get back here and let me explain,” Aubrey yells after me.
“No need, babe. I get it loud and clear. Have fun.” The lift door opens and I waste no time getting inside and stabbing the lobby button.
Wonder what Max’s rules were for Aubrey and the breaking of my heart? Not that my heart is broken. She’s a hot chick I nailed a
few times, nothing more, right? Fuck it. I’ve had hot, I’ll eventually get hotter. She’ll go home to the States and it’ll be like nothing ever happened.
Who the fuck am I kidding?
I’m screwed.
Fuck.
Chapter Seventeen
Aubrey
“Nate, what are you even doing here?” I run my hands through my hair, my heart racing as I glare at Nate. “What did you say to him?”
“That I’m your boyfriend,” Nate says. His eyes darken. “Hold up, I’m the one who should be asking questions here. What’s going on, Aubs? Who is that guy?”
“I can’t do this right now,” I mutter, because if I do, I’m going to snap.
Is he for real? He’s either really stupid or my breaking up with him went right over his
head. I keep thinking that maybe he’s messing with me, but the look in his eyes tells me I’m not that lucky. Jealousy is not a good colour on Nate. Not a good colour at all. I’m not sure if I’m more pissed that he flew all the way here for absolutely no reason or at Drew for not giving me the chance to explain—especially after the huge deal he made out of me not listening to him with the whole Darla thing. Then I remember how I felt, seeing that. The last thing I wanted was to hear him out. I wanted to run. Shit, I ran. His only saving grace was the lift didn’t show up in time and the stairs were brutal. Had it not been for those damn stairs, I would have left and never looked back.
I have to go after him like he came after me. It’s what you do when something is miscommunicated. I spy a set of keys laid out on the coffee table next to Nate’s jacket. Without thinking or worrying about when Nate got a license to drive in Australia, I scoop them up and dash out the door, running for the rental car conveniently parked out front.
My vision is clouded with the unshed tears I refuse to let fall and my stomach rolls with nerves, but I push all that aside, determined to find Drew and make him listen to me. To make this right and set the story straight. It’s not Drew’s fault, or my own, Nate can’t take a hint.
“Aubrey, what are you doing?” Nate yells after me as I turn the key in the ignition and shift into gear.
I take a quick second to think, trying to remember how to drive, let alone doing it on the opposite side of the road, before he even reaches me. I press down on the accelerator, trying my best to avoid running over Nate who is banging on the driver’s window. I’m not as successful as I hoped as I look through the side view mirror and wince as he stumbles backwards and grabs onto the foot I so obviously ran over.. I mumble a quick “Whoops,” to myself and continue my pursuit. He glares at me through the rearview, his dark eyes blazing. Jesus. It’s not like I did it on purpose.
“Aubrey! Are you crazy? You’ve been drinking, not to mention you can’t even drive!”
I hear Jacey yell as she runs out the front door and stopping where Nate fell to the ground.
How hard can it be? It’s automatic, for God’s sake. I used to drive around the farm
when I was a kid on my grandfather’s tractor, this can’t be any more difficult than that. Besides, this is an emergency. I need to find Drew and force him to listen to me.
Without any further issues, I find myself driving swiftly down the highway, pretty impressed with how quickly I’ve gotten the hang of this when my phone rings. I feel the seat next to me for my phone and after placing it in my lap, I press answer, and activate the speaker. God, I hope it’s him, and that he’s come to his senses and wants to listen to me. If only he’d let me explain he would see that Nate is a nut who is obviously obsessed with me. I shiver. Seriously, who flies across the country to see someone they’ve broken up with? I knew he was more into our relationship than I was, but I never thought he was this crazy.
“Aubrey!”
Jacey’s voice screams down the line. Shit. I was hoping she’d let this whole thing go and let me fix what Nate broke. Sighing, I rub the back of my neck. My heart thumps as a police car passes me, but they don’t even give me a second look. Slowly, my breathing relaxes until I’m finally able to speak.
“Jace, I can’t talk now. I need to find Drew. Besides, I’m pretty sure talking while driving is illegal over here.”
“I’m pretty sure driving without a license is too,” Jacey retorts. “You know Nate
will get screwed by the rental company if you have an accident, right? Not to mention how much shit you will be in. Forget about raising the cash for Max because it will all have to go towards bailing you out of trouble.”
I bite my lip. Shit. I never thought about that. I pull over onto the side of the road and sigh. Slamming my fist against the wheel, I curse, my cheeks warm from the frustration racing through me. As angry as I am at Nate, the last thing I want is to get him in trouble. Or myself. I could fuck up my whole future with one silly mistake.
“I gotta go,” I mumble.
I press end before she can say anything else. Leaning my head against the back of the seat, I stare at the window at the traffic racing past. I turn my phone off and toss it onto the seat next to me, then I start the car and drive slowly the hundred meters to car park of Albert Park Lake. Shutting off the engine, I get out, ignoring the freezing cold air as it blows softly against my bare arms.
I hoist myself onto the bonnet of the car, crossing my legs under me as I watch people go by. I have no idea what I’m doing and no idea of where to even look for Drew. What’s the point if he won’t listen to me anyway? What’s the point of any of this?
I lay back, wrapping my arms over my chest and stare up at the sky. People glance my way, obviously wondering what I’m doing, but I don’t care. Instead I focus on the gnawing feeling in my stomach that is asking me what I expected.
Did I think falling in love with Drew would change anything? It doesn’t change the person I am, or the lengths I will go to in order to avoid getting close to someone. I strung Nate along for two years, knowing I didn’t feel the same way because I couldn’t. I’m not capable of feeling anything; anything within myself other than disappointment and regret.
No, I didn’t string him along. He knew what he was getting himself into. Typically, it’s the woman who thinks she can “fix” a man with commitment issues, but in Nate’s case … anyone could have seen how that was going to end up. He couldn’t fix it, because he’s not the one that I was meant to be with. And now I’ve gone and fucked it all to hell.
Closing my eyes, I listen to the sound of the leaves rustling in the tree that hovers above me. My arms are nearly numb from the cold, and the alcohol is beginning to wear off, leaving me feeling achy and sorry for myself.
“I’m never drinking again,” I remember muttering to myself before I drifted off into a quick alcohol and adrenalin release coma.
The soft chuckling wakes me up, only I can barely move. I’m so cold, and my head throbs. I shift positions, my back thanking me as I roll onto my side, snuggling further into the thick, wool lined jacket covering me.
Wait. I didn’t have a jacket.
I sit bolt upright, my head screaming at me for the sudden movement.
Drew sits next to me. His eyes shining, he reaches over and wipes the corner of my
mouth.
“There is nothing sexier than a woman who embraces her drooliness,” he comments.
“What are you doing here?” I whisper. I’m confused, and my memory of the last twenty-four hours is hazy at best. Then I remember. “All I wanted was the chance to explain.”
“I know,” he says, his voice softening. “Why do you think I’m here? You gave me a chance when everything looked bad from your view, right? It’s the least I could do.”
I snuggle into his side. “I was driving to find you.”
“I know. Shouldn’t have done that, Aubs.”
“I didn’t want us to end because Nate showed up.”
“Do you want us to end at all?” he asks, his body stiffening under me.
“No,” I whisper. “No, I don’t.”
He raises h
is hand and waives someone over. Peeking up, I notice Nash walking toward the car with Jacey. “You come with me. They’re going to take Nate back his stolen vehicle.”
Chapter Eighteen
Drew
“Mornin’, sunshine,” I say, my voice sleepy as I roll over and face Aubrey. I reach out and stroke her arm, the sight of her bare skin making me hard.
“Morning,” she says, forcing a smile. Her eyes, full of sadness, stare back at me. I don’t even have to ask her to know she’s been awake half the night.
“You okay?” I ask, slipping my arm around her waist. I tug her closer to me, edging her body on top of mine.
“I’m fine,” she replies. I nudge her softly, making it clear I’m not buying. She rests her chin on my chest, her eyes examining mine. “Just thinking about Max.”
I chuckle and stroke the hair away from her eyes. “Way to cure my erection.”
She lifts herself off me and glances at my still hard dick and I laugh. “He’ll be okay, Aubs. He’s come through this before.”
“Against the odds,” Aubrey points out. “What are the chances that he can do it again? I don’t know what I’ll do without him, Drew. I can’t…” She wipes the tears from her eyes. Moving herself off me, she climbs out of the bed, reaching for the robe that hangs over the chair in the corner of the room. “Coffee?”
I nod, wishing there was something I could say to make her feel better. Before I can release the words, her phone starts to ring. She glances at the clock on the nightstand, alarm in her eyes. I know what she’s thinking. Any call coming in at 6:53 can’t be good.
“Hello?” she says, after lunging for the phone. I sit up and wait impatiently, trying to read her body language. She rakes her hand through her hair and nods anxiously. “Okay. I’ll be there in half an hour.” She hesitates before adding; “Thanks Mom.”
“Everything okay?” I ask as she ends the call.
She shrugs. “They’re putting Max on a flight to Switzerland now. He’s stable, and they’re worried if they leave it any longer he won’t…”
“This is good news, Aubs. He’s going to get this treatment and be fine. Are you going over?” I ask.
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