“Ethan, I’ve been trying to get a hold of you.”
“I’m sorry, but I was in a meeting. Is everything okay?”
“Yes. I need to change our lunch to dinner. Will that work?”
“Why?”
“I got a late start and just got into the city about a half hour ago. I have a million stores I need to go to, so that should give me plenty of time.”
“Dinner is fine. Say, around five o’clock? Where do you want to meet? That French bistro isn’t open for dinner.”
“I know. Let’s meet at Benihana over on West 56th Street. I’m in the mood for some Japanese food.”
“Sounds good. I’ll see you there.”
Chapter 25
Aubrey
“Hey, Aubrey, you ready for our staff meeting?” Ian asked as he walked into my classroom.
“Yep. Gotta love these staff meetings after school.”
“To be honest, I’d rather have them after and not before. I’m not trying to get up any earlier than I have to.”
I gave him a smile as I took hold of his arm.
“How about we do dinner after our meeting?” he spoke.
“Sure. Where do you want to go?”
“I’m in the mood for Japanese. How about Benihana?”
“Okay. I haven’t been there in a while.” I smiled.
After our staff meeting, Ian told me that Rigby had sent him a text message saying that his meeting tonight with a client got cancelled.
“Would you mind if Rigby joined us for dinner? I want you to meet him so bad.”
“I would like that. I’m dying to meet him.”
“Excellent!” he spoke with excitement. “I’ll text him now.”
It seemed like it took us forever to get to the restaurant because traffic was heavier than usual today. Once we arrived, Ian saw Rigby standing outside waiting for us.
“He’s already here and looking as sexy as ever,” he spoke as he pulled into a parking space.
Shaking my head, and with a smile, I climbed out of the car and felt a hand wrap around my arm.
“You must be Aubrey. Here, let me help you.”
“And you must be Rigby.” I grinned. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too. Ian has told me so much about you.”
“All good, I hope.”
“Nothing but the best.”
The hostess took us over to our table and I sat on the end so Ian and Rigby could sit next to each other.
“Weird. We’re the only ones at this table so far,” Ian spoke.
“It’s still early. This place usually doesn’t start getting crowded until around six.”
“Do you need me to read you the menu?” Rigby politely asked.
I couldn’t help but smile at his generosity. “No. I’ve been here enough that I pretty much know what they have.”
“Oh shit,” Ian spoke in a low voice.
“What?” I asked.
Before he had a chance to answer, I heard the hostess walking over with other patrons. I inhaled deeply and closed my eyes for a moment as a familiar scent crossed my path.
“Aubrey?” Ethan spoke.
“Aubrey, sweetheart,” his mother spoke. “What a surprise seeing you here.” She clasped my shoulders and kissed my cheek.
“Hello, Nancy.”
“Ethan, you sit here next to Aubrey.”
This was the last thing I needed. Oh my God. How was I going to get through this dinner?
“Hello, Ian. Nice to see you again.”
“Ethan,” he spoke in a disgruntled tone. “This is my friend, Rigby. Rigby, meet Ethan Klein.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Klein.”
“Likewise, Rigby.”
I heard the scraping of the chair across the floor as he pulled it out and took a seat next to me.
“I can request to sit somewhere else,” he leaned over and whispered to me.
I wanted to tell him to do it, and if he had been with anyone else besides his mother, I would have.
“It’s fine.”
My heart was racing a mile a minute as Nancy carried on a conversation with me. More guests were seated and it just so happened that the woman who sat next to Nancy was a girl she knew back in high school. Go figure. That left me and Ethan the odd ones out since everyone else had someone to talk to.
“May I get you a drink?” The waitress with the high-pitched voice asked me.
“I’ll have a Mai Tai, please.”
“And for you, sir?”
“I’ll have a scotch on the rocks. Make it a double.”
After she went around the table and took everyone’s drink order, we placed our order for dinner.
“How was your day today?” Ethan asked cautiously.
“It was good.”
I didn’t ask him how his day was because, frankly, I didn’t care. Like I said before, I was now in the angry stage.
“I’m surprised you’re with your mom,” I spoke.
“Why?”
“I just figured you’d be with someone else.”
Shit. I really didn’t mean to say that.
“No. She was in the city shopping and asked me to have dinner with her. Well, actually, we were supposed to have lunch, but she got a late start.”
“That’s nice.”
“And I’m not seeing anyone else. Why would you say or think that?”
“Because, Mr. Klein, you’re a man and you have needs.”
“Aubrey, please. Don’t do this.”
“They were your words, not mine.”
“You know what? Maybe it’s best if we don’t speak,” he whispered.
“That’s probably for the best.”
“I told you that I would switch tables.”
“Why are you speaking?”
I heard the sharp intake of his breath and the ice clanking in his glass as he picked it up. We sat there in awkward silence as I sipped on my Mai Tai.
“Listen, you can hate me all you want, but just not right now. My mother doesn’t know anything and she’ll start asking questions. So please, just for the next hour, at least pretend to hold a conversation with me.”
“I have nothing to say to you. So how am I supposed to do that?” I whispered.
“Oh, you two look like you’re in deep conversation,” Nancy spoke with excitement.
“See. I told you,” Ethan whispered. “Well, now we don’t have to worry about it; our chef is here.”
“I know. I heard him wheel the cart over.”
As the chef put on a show and prepared our meal, I sipped on my Mai Tai. I needed to remember the things Ethan said to me because even though I was in my angry stage, his scent was driving me crazy. During dinner, I talked a bit with Ian and Rigby, and Ethan held a conversation with his mother. This had to be the most awkward dinner I was ever at and I couldn’t eat fast enough to get the hell out. All I wanted to do was go home, climb into bed, and hide under the covers for the rest of the night.
I finished eating and waited patiently for Ian and Rigby to finish.
“Are you done yet?” I leaned over and asked Ian.
“Yes. We’re done,” he replied. “Let me ask the waitress for the check.”
“No need,” Ethan spoke. “Dinner was on me tonight.”
“Ethan, that’s very kind of you, but we couldn’t let you pay,” Ian spoke.
“What are you doing?” I whispered in a harsh tone.
“It’s only dinner, Aubrey. Now you’re free to go.”
I didn’t want to thank him, but being the good person I was, I had no choice.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
I pushed back my chair and as I was about to get up, I felt a hand on mine.
“Let me help you,” Ethan spoke as he gently gave my hand a squeeze.
A thousand lightning bolts raced throughout my body as I stood there, frozen for a second, just taking in the touch of his hand on mine. A touch that I hadn
’t forgotten and didn’t think I ever would.
“Thank you.” I pulled my hand away.
As soon as we exited the restaurant, Nancy gave me a hug and told me not to be a stranger.
“Have a safe drive home,” I spoke as I said goodbye to her.
“Hey, Aubrey,” Ian spoke. “Is it okay with you if we stop at Nordstrom? I want to pick up a couple of things and so does Rigby.”
“You two go ahead. I’ll catch a cab home.”
“What? You don’t want to come with us?” Ian whined.
“I have some things to do at home and it’s been a long day. No worries; you two go and have fun.”
“I’ll drive you home,” Ethan spoke.
“No thank you. I’ll catch a cab.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Aubrey. Why pay for a cab ride when I can give you a free one?”
Ugh. I was going to kill Ian for putting me in this situation.
“Please. It’s just a ride home,” he spoke. “And I promise I won’t speak to you.”
“Fine,” I huffed.
“My arm?” Ethan spoke.
“What about it?”
“Are you going to take it?”
“No.”
“Oh for god sakes, Aubrey.” He grabbed my hand, wrapped it around his arm, and led me to the limo.
Upon opening the door, I slid into the backseat.
“Hello, Aubrey. It’s good to see you again.”
“Hi, Harry. How are you?”
“I’m good.”
I heard the other door open and Ethan slid in next to me.
“Harry, we’re driving Aubrey home.”
Chapter 26
Ethan
Imagine the shock on my face when I saw Aubrey sitting at the table. She was the last person I expected to run into, let alone sit next to her for dinner. She had an attitude with me and I didn’t blame her. I hadn’t seen that side of her yet and, to be honest, it turned me on. The car ride back to her apartment was silent because I knew that was the way she wanted it. I was struggling inside. Struggling with the fact that I had hurt her so deeply. Harry pulled up to the curb of her building and I quickly got out and opened the door for her, holding out my hand.
“Please take my hand and let me help you out.”
“I don’t need help, Ethan. I can get out of a car on my own.”
“I know you can, but—”
“Then let me.”
When I lowered my hand, she climbed out of the car and placed her cane down in front of her.
“Good night, Ethan.”
“Good night, Aubrey.”
I watched as she walked inside her building. Clenching my fist as hard as I could, I took in a deep breath, for I knew what I had to do.
“You can have the rest of the night off, Harry. I’ll catch a cab home. There’s something I need to say to her.”
“Good luck, Ethan.”
I ran inside the building and placed my hand in between the elevator doors as they began to close.
“Aubrey, I need to talk to you.”
“Ethan, what the hell are you doing? I thought you left.”
“I can’t leave without making things right with you. Please just hear what I have to say.”
She stood there in silence, looking down. I knew she was struggling with the decision whether to hear me out or not.
“Please, Aubrey,” I spoke in a soft voice.
“Fine. I’ll hear you out, but after I do, you are to leave.”
“I will. I promise.”
We stepped off the elevator, and as soon as we approached her apartment, the door from across the hall opened and a man and woman stepped out.
“Oh, hello, Aubrey,” the older woman spoke and then glared at me.
“Hi, Aunt Charlotte. Hello, Mr. Morris.”
“Hello, little lady,” he spoke.
“Aunt Charlotte, I would like you to meet Ethan Klein. Ethan, this is my Aunt Charlotte and Mr. Morris from apartment 1C.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Charlotte.” I extended my hand.
Her eye narrowed at me as she hesitantly placed her hand in mine without saying a word.
“Nice to meet you, Ethan.” Mr. Morris shook my hand.
“Likewise.” I smiled.
Aubrey opened her apartment door and we both stepped inside.
“Have fun, you two.” She smiled as she closed the door behind her.
“I don’t think your aunt likes me too much.”
“No. Actually, she doesn’t. She heard talk around the city and the things said were not good.”
I stood there with my hands in my pockets, lightly nodding my head.
“I deserve that.”
Aubrey walked into the living room and took a seat on the couch.
“What did you want to say to me, Ethan? I don’t have all night.” Her tone was harsh.
I could feel anxiety taking over me, so I took in a long, deep breath. I was nervous as hell because this was something I didn’t do.
“May I sit down next to you?” I asked.
“Whatever, Ethan. Just say what you have to say.”
I took a seat next to her and swallowed hard while my heart pounded out of my chest.
“I meant to push you away and with everything I said, most of it was the truth. I have rules, Aubrey. Rules about women. I don’t stay after because I don’t feel anything, so there’s no point in leading anyone on. But with you, I wanted to stay and it scared the hell out of me. For the first time in many years, I didn’t want to leave after sex. Shortly after Sophia died, I started having nightmares about that night and then they stopped after I was in therapy for a while. Then, the first night I was with you, the nightmares came back. You need to understand that I’m a destroyed man. I’ve buried every emotion and every feeling I ever had deep down inside me. That’s why the nightmares stopped and why I never felt anything for any of the women I was with. Then I met you and, suddenly, things started to resurface and I couldn’t control it.”
“What things?” she asked.
“It may sound crazy because we haven’t known each other very long, but I started to have feelings for you right away, and I did things that I would never do. Every day, I would lose a little more control where you were concerned and I found it difficult to handle. I wanted to push you away, because if I did, then I wouldn’t have to feel these things anymore. When you were begging me to stay, it made me angry because I couldn’t control the fact that I didn’t want to leave.”
“What happened the night Sophia died?” she asked.
“Only very few people know what happened that night. My parents don’t even know the whole truth.”
She reached over and placed her hand on my thigh.
“You can trust me, Ethan. I promise.”
“Do you have any liquor? Something stronger than wine?”
“In the upper cabinet above the refrigerator there’s a bottle of Jack Daniels. You’re more than welcome to have some.”
“Thanks.”
I got up from the couch, went into the kitchen, and grabbed the bottle of whiskey from the cabinet.
“There are a couple shot glasses in the cabinet next to the stove,” she spoke.
After reaching for the glass, I poured myself a shot, kicked it back, and took in the burn as it cascaded down my throat. I poured another and took it back into the living room.
“Sophia and I met when we were eighteen years old at a wedding I had attended for one of my parents’ friends. I remember standing there talking to Charles and every time I glanced over at her, she was staring at me. So I walked over, introduced myself, and we spent the rest of the night talking and getting to know each other.” I kicked back the shot of whiskey and set the glass down on the coffee table. “I took her out the next night and we had spent every moment we could together for the next three years.”
“You must have really loved her,” Aubrey spoke.
“I did. I couldn’t imagine my life without her
. I found out about three months after we were dating that she was using drugs. She told me she only did it occasionally and she promised she’d stop because she knew how I felt about it. Her occasional drug habit eventually turned into a daily one. About a year and a half into our relationship, I finally talked her into getting some help. She checked herself into a rehab facility and got clean.”
“What kinds of drugs did she do?”
“Cocaine. She stayed clean for about six months, and those six months were really good for us. Then, her sister was killed in a car accident and she couldn’t cope. So, she started using cocaine again along with amphetamines.”
“I’m sorry, Ethan, but I have to ask. Why did you stay with her?”
“Because I loved her and I couldn’t turn my back on her. She was so screwed up and all she kept telling me was that I was the only stability she had in her life. So I dealt with it the best I could and tried to get her to get clean again. The night she died, we were in California at a friend’s birthday party at his beach house. She had been acting weird all day and I kept asking her what was wrong and she insisted nothing. But I could tell something was bothering her. Later that night, I left with Charles and another friend of mine to run to the store to get some more liquor and when I came back, I couldn’t find her. When I went upstairs for the third time, she was just coming out of the bathroom. I asked her why she didn’t respond to my calling her name and she said she didn’t hear me. She was as high as a kite at that point. I walked into the bathroom and found two syringes on the floor. She had just shot herself up with heroin.” I swallowed hard. “I’ll never forget how I felt at that moment. I was enraged. Anger consumed me so badly that I couldn’t see straight. I grabbed the syringes off the floor and flew down the stairs, grabbing her arm and leading her outside away from the party. I asked her when she started shooting up heroin and she told me she’d been doing it for a while. How I didn’t know was beyond me.”
“Because you loved her and you didn’t want to see it. You know how they say love is blind,” she spoke.
I stared at Aubrey when she said that and she was right. I had noticed over the past couple of months leading up to her death that she was acting different and changing before my eyes every day.