Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
Aubrey
I lay there, naked and exposed on the bed, as he just walked out the door, leaving my heart broken. A perfect day turned bad because he was too afraid to get close to me. Getting up from the bed, I dressed in the clothes I wore to the party the other night. I needed my phone, but it was down in the kitchen where my purse was. Leaving was the best choice for both of us, and I wanted to get out of there as fast as I could. He'd hear me if I took the elevator, so I took the stairs, remembering that I was on the third floor. I counted the floors as I made my way down each set of staircases until I was on the garden level where the kitchen was. Feeling my way around, I placed my hands on the island where Ethan and I had just made love. I remembered setting my purse down on the table while I was waiting for him to pour me my glass of wine. Making my way to the table, I found it and placed it over my shoulder, and as I was making my way to the door, I heard Ethan’s voice behind me.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going to stay with Penelope for the night.”
“Why?” he abruptly asked.
“Because I think after our last conversation, it’s for the best.”
“Why do you think it’s for the best? Because I told you it was just sex and nothing more to me? Seriously, Aubrey? We’ve known each other for what? A week and a half? Or is it because I won’t talk to you about something that’s extremely personal to me?”
“I’m done talking about this, Ethan, and you’re right. We’ve only known each other for a very short time, and I’m sorry that I let myself believe that maybe, just maybe, I meant a little something more to you than just a fuck buddy.”
Silence filled the space between us. Having this conversation with him was slowly tearing me apart, and I needed to leave because I refused to break down in front of him. Maybe the other women he had similar conversations with did just that, but I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing that he broke me. The makeup session, the dress, the donuts, the coffee, and taking me to meet his parents made me feel like he saw me as something more. But I was wrong, and I would tuck my tail between my legs and quietly leave.
“I’m sorry, Aubrey.”
“I am too, Ethan.”
“At least let me drive you to Penelope’s.”
“No. I can get there on my own. I don’t need any more of your help.”
“Then, at least let me walk you out and hail you a cab.”
“I can get my own cab.”
I stepped into the elevator, took it to the Parlor level, and walked out the front door. Pulling my cane from my purse, I tapped each step in front of me as I held on to the railing and made my way to the sidewalk. Standing on the curb, I pulled out my phone and called for a cab.
“Sure thing, Aubrey. Actually, Jessie is over that way. He should be there in about five minutes.”
“Thanks, Glenn. I’ll be waiting.”
In my current situation, five minutes seemed like an eternity. I wondered if Ethan was watching me from his window. While I waited for the cab, I dialed Penelope.
“Hello,” she sleepily answered.
“Hey. Did I wake you?”
“Umm. Maybe. What’s wrong?”
“Can I stay with you tonight?”
“I thought you were staying at Ethan’s.”
I tried so hard to hold back the tears, but I couldn’t do it anymore as I started to stutter into the phone.
“Things didn’t work out.”
“Oh, Aubrey. What did he do to you? I’m on my way.”
“No. A cab will be here in a few minutes. I already called for one.”
“Of course, you can stay here. I’ll see you soon. I wish you would have called me first. I would have come over there and kicked his pompous, no good rich ass.”
“I think the cab just pulled up. I’ll see you soon.”
Opening the door, I climbed inside.
“Hey, Aubrey.”
“Hi, Jessie.”
“You okay, hon?”
“Not really. 425 East 66th Street, please.”
As I sat in the back of the cab, the tears streamed down my face. I was a fool to think he could even remotely feel something for me, and I was also a fool for believing I could probably fix him. His words felt like a dagger through my heart, and even now, I could still feel it inside me.
“We’re here, Aubrey,” Jessie spoke.
“Thank you. Just put it on my card. It’s on file.”
“I know, hon. Feel better, okay?”
“I’ll try.”
As soon as I climbed out of the cab, I heard Penelope’s voice.
“Come here.” She wrapped her arm around me as we walked into her building. “What happened?”
“We made love, and I asked him to stay with me, and he wouldn’t. I practically begged him. I’m such a loser.”
“No, you’re not.” She opened the door to her apartment, and I stepped inside.
“He told me that it was nothing more than sex and that all he does is fuck and leave. I made the mistake of telling him that I felt it was more than that by the way he touched me, and he said that’s how he does it to all the women he sleeps with. He basically told me that I was nothing special.”
“Aw, sweetie.” She hugged me tight and led me to the couch. “I warned you about him, and now do you understand why?”
“Yes, and I was so stupid to let my guard down. I thought he was different. Do you know what he did for me today?”
“What?”
“He took me to Bloomingdales, and I had my makeup done, and then he bought me a dress to wear to his parents’ house. Who just does that for someone they don’t care about?”
“Unfortunately, a lot of loser men with big egos. He wanted something in return for his kindness, and you gave it to him.”
“His sister told me that his ex-girlfriend, Sophia, died in a tragic accident nine years ago, and ever since then, he hasn’t been the same. They barely see him anymore.”
“Did she say how she died?”
“No, and they aren’t allowed to talk about it. In fact, she told me not to tell him that she told me, but I sort of did.” I bit down on my bottom lip.
“Oh no. What did you say to him?”
“I just told him that I thought he was guarding himself because of her.”
“And what did he say?”
“He instantly became angry and told me never to speak of her again.”
“Wow. So apparently, Sophia is the reason he is the way he is.”
“I guess so.”
“Then you have to stay away from him, Aubrey. He’s not the type of man you need to become involved with. You’ve only known him for a week or two, and he’s already said some pretty bad things to you. Those are what are called ‘red flags,’ and believe me; they’re flying high for you right now.”
“I can’t forget him and the time we spent together.”
“Let me ask you this. Did he kiss you on the lips yet?”
“No.”
“There you go. Drop him like a hot potato. He’s toxic, Aubrey, and you don’t need that in your life. You’ll meet someone without all the baggage who will love you because he can’t help but love you. A man like Ethan Klein isn’t capable of love, especially if he’s damaged from a past relationship. If it’s been nine years like you said, and he still isn’t over it, then he never will be.”
“Maybe you’re right.”
“I know I am. Now, come on. You can sleep with me in my bed.”
“Why were you sleeping earlier? You never go to bed that early.”
“I wasn’t exactly sleeping.”
“Oh God. Was he over?”
“Yeah. After you called, I kicked him out.”
“You didn’t have to do that. I could have just gone somewhere else.”
“Don’t be silly. You’re my best friend, and you come before any guy.”
“If you don’t mind, I think I’ll sleep on the couch,” I smirked.
“I just want you to know that I’m rolling my eyes at you. I’ll go get you a pillow, blanket, and a nightshirt to wear.”
“Thanks. I owe you big time.” I reached over and gave her a hug.
“No, you don’t. Just being my best friend is enough. Promise me no more tears over that douchebag.”
“I promise.”