Shane #2
“That’s okay, sweetheart. All I need is you. And we have the rest of our lives to get to know each other better,” I tell her genuinely. “Open it. It’s just a little something.”
She tears the wrapping off the box then lifts the lid, revealing a pair of black Prada winter ankle boots with a small heel. They’re pretty simple boots and look similar to the ones she already has, but these are much more durable. Well, if I listen to what my sister tells me.
“Shane, these are beautiful.” She looks them over, smiling as a tiny pink hue coasts her cheeks. “Were you tired of seeing me slip on my way out of work?” She giggles.
“Very much so.” I grin. “If you don’t like them, or they aren’t the right size, we can return them and get different ones.”
“No, these are perfect and the right size.” She then gives me a curious look. “How did you know?”
I scratch the back of my head, feeling a bit nervous. I’ve never been this way. I’ve never been the type to blush or get anxious or stumble over my words. I’m usually pretty freaking confident and sure of myself, but Aubrey brings out this side of me I didn’t know existed every time.
“My sister gave me advice on the boots and Emma told me your size.”
“Well, I guess I owe them both a thank you as well, because I love them.” She places them back in the box and sets it aside just as I hand her the much, much smaller box.
I’m not usually a big fan of buying women jewelry as a present since I find it to be a lazy gift with little meaning.
But when my sister came up with this idea, there was no way I could pass up on it.
And yes, my oldest sister helped me out with this gift too.
She’s one of my best friends, all three of them are, but Phoebe and I have always been the closest, despite our eight-year gap.
She opens the small package next, gasping with her fingertips pressed against her mouth as she looks inside the box. “Oh, Shane…”
“It was made just for you. There aren’t two like it in the world.”
“It’s stunning, Shane. Can you help me put it on?” She takes it out of the box eagerly.
I take the necklace from her hands as she turns around and pulls her hair to the side, giving me her exposed back and neck. I lean in, kissing her shoulder, then look at the necklace as I unclasp it.
It’s a gold cupcake-shaped pendant, covered in diamonds attached to a gold chain. It’s simple, yet exquisite, just like Aubrey. But there’s a little hidden message on the inside of the pendant that she hasn’t noticed yet.
I place it around her neck and secure it at the back before taking her hair and letting it fall behind her shoulder.
She turns to face me once more and touches both sides of the pendant, frowning when she feels something.
She flips it over and looks down at it, tracing her fingertip over the little bumps.
“What is this?” she asks with confusion.
“It’s braille.”
She looks up at me now. “What does it say?”
“My angel.”
“Shane…” she whispers before dropping the sheet and throwing herself in my arms, fusing her lips to mine with so much emotion I can feel it pouring out of her.
God, I love this woman more with every day.
We kiss for a little while until finally I pull away. “We should get ready before we end up late. I’ll jump in the shower quickly.” I peck her on the cheek then head for the bathroom.
AUbrEY
I wait for the water to start in the shower before letting out the girliest squeal I’ve ever made.
My feet kick at the sheets as I cover my mouth and try to suppress the noises I can no longer hold in.
I’ve never been this happy in my life. I’ve never felt this alive, this free, and it’s all because of Shane.
He wants me, he really wants me.
He wants us to be a couple and go out on dates and spend time together. He wants it all… with me!
ME!
I let out a happy sigh as I drop back to the bed, arms above my head as I look up at the ceiling. My phone vibrates on the nightstand, and I grab for it, seeing twenty missed notifications from all the girls in our group chat.
Ronnie
Message if you need anything! I mean it, Brey.
Ronnie
Also… have fun!
Cecilia
Wait… where’s Aubrey!?
Morgan
OMG!
Emma
Our baby Brey snuck out right after a certain man left the room.
Cecilia
Oh, my lord! Is it really happening!?
Morgan
I can’t believe our baby is becoming a woman.
Ronnie
We don’t know what’s happening, they were only going to talk.
Emma
Yeah, with their clothes off!
Emma
BTW, I want all the details! ALL OF THEM!
Cecilia
I’ve always wondered what kind of man Shane is beneath the sheets…
Ronnie
I bet he’s a freak.
Morgan
I don’t think so. I think Shane is a romantic.
Emma
Actually, I can totally see that. He’s probably up there right now worshiping her body and making love to her. Ugh, lucky bitch getting it right from the first try.
The chat goes silent for a few hours before they start up again.
Ronnie
Has anyone heard from Brey? I’m starting to get worried…
Emma
She’s fine. Shane probably put her in a coma.
Cecilia
Just let us know you’re okay when you see these, Aubrey.
Morgan
Do you think she’s still in his room? Or did they go to hers?
Emma
Most likely.
Ronnie
She’s not in her room. I just checked and no one answered.
Me
Girls’ night when we get back home?
Emma
AHHHHH!!!!!!!
Cecilia
I’m so happy for you, Aubrey.
Morgan
Definitely! We need to know everything!
Ronnie
Just tell us one thing! Was he good to you? Are you okay?
Me
All I’m saying right now is that Shane is a perfect gentleman…
Me
I’ll see you all later.
I put my phone back down as it continues to vibrate with new messages, but I ignore them.
Instead, I climb out of bed and find my discarded dress and underwear.
I slip back into my dress but shove my panties in my clutch.
I know I haven’t showered since we went to sleep, but those panties are way too dirty to put back on.
Just as I’m finishing tying the straps to my heels, Shane’s phone rings from the nightstand.
I walk over to it as the name ‘Hailey’ flashes on the screen with a picture of him and his arm around a pretty blonde as they smile for the camera.
My stomach instantly knots up as I watch them stare back at me.
I know I could just let it go to voicemail and ignore it; pretend I didn’t see or hear it. But I can’t, it’s already eating at me from the inside. Who is Hailey? And why do they look so happy in that picture? Maybe it’s his sister? But they look nothing alike.
“Shane?” I call out his name as I pick up his phone, ready to pass it to him, but he doesn’t answer me, and I can still hear the water running.
Letting my curiosity win and my desperate need for answers, I accept the call. I’m about to say “Hello” but a female voice cuts in before I can.
“Oh, Shaney! Thank God you picked up! When are you getting here? Your parents are already driving me crazy, asking why the groom isn’t here yet and when the wedding will be. Tell me you’re on your way!?”
My heart stops beating as a lump forms in my throat.
Well, she’s clearly not his sister. And what does she mean by groom and wedding?
Is she… is Shane? Is Shane engaged and hasn’t told anyone?
Is this Shane’s fiancée? Could he have been lying to me only to get me in bed with him? Oh God! I’m such an idiot!
Tears fill my eyes as this sick feeling settles in my stomach. I manage to keep my voice as steady as possible while holding in the sob that desperately wants to break free.
“He’s… he’s in the shower… I’ll tell him you called… Merry Christmas.” My voice breaks at the end, and I pull the phone away, ready to hang up and run out of this room, but her pleading voice pulls me back.
“No, wait! Aubrey! Please don’t hang up… It’s Aubrey, right?” she asks once she sees the line is still connected.
I wipe at the tear that slips out. “How do you know my name?” I whisper.
I hear her sigh through the phone, but it doesn’t sound like she’s upset.
“Because Shane talks about you all the time.” She laughs a bit, then her tone becomes warm.
“I understand what I just said might have come out wrong, but it isn’t what you think.
I’m Hailey, Shane’s ex-wife. But we’re also very close friends—we grew up together, and our families are really close.
And the comment about a wedding has nothing to do with Shane. I’m engaged to a friend of ours.”
“Oh…” I sigh, suddenly feeling relieved but also embarrassed for thinking the worst, and of course, my blush spikes up. I sit down at the end of the bed, needing a moment to gather my emotions.
“I’m sorry if I made you doubt anything.
I should have let you talk before blabbing about my problems. But you should know that Shane is obsessed with you; you really have nothing to worry about.
He’s one of the good ones.” She sounds genuine, and it reassures me but also makes me wonder why they divorced if she claims he’s one of the good ones.
“I know,” I mumble more to myself than her.
“Angel?” I look up at the sound of Shane’s voice.
He’s standing in the doorway to the bathroom with a white towel around his waist, body glistening with droplets from his shower as he stares at me with concern in his eyes. I know my mix of emotions must still be showing on my face.
He frowns when he sees the phone against my ear and strides over, taking it away from me. Looking at the name, his frown deepens and he taps at the screen quickly, putting it on speaker and throwing it on the bed as he kneels at my feet, his hands on my knees.
“Hailes, what did you say to her?”
“Nothing, I—” Hailey quickly answers, about to explain herself, but he cuts in.
“Then why does she look like she’s about to cry?” he asks her with an angry tone to his voice.