Chapter 14
(Aubrey & Emily)
Emily sat in her car in the parking lot of their apartment building. She still couldn’t believe what Beca had insinuated at lunch and was trying to calm down before going inside. She didn’t want to talk about it, and knew Aubrey would ask if she showed up angry. Finally, she took a deep breath and went inside.
“Hey, babe,” Aubrey greeted her in the kitchen as Emily headed for the fridge for a beer.
“Hey, love. How was your day?” She tossed the bottle cap and leaned against the counter as Aubrey continued making dinner. She listened as her partner outlined her day, trying to decide what to say about her own.
“How about you? More work with Becs?” She gestured for Emily to hold the platter as she pulled the pot roast from the slow cooker. Emily left her beer and took up the platter.
“Yeah, in the morning. I worked on my music for the afternoon.” She’d been too angry to get much done, but it was otherwise the truth. She set the platter down so Aubrey could carve the meat, taking a salad from the fridge at her partner’s request before reclaiming her drink.
Aubrey glanced at her from across the kitchen. Something was off; she could hear and feel it. Emily usually came home chipper and eager to talk about her work. Unsure what to say, she held her peace for the moment and concentrated on serving dinner.
After dinner, Emily switched to tea, and they got comfortable on the couch. The brunette picked up the remote and started flipping channels, looking for something that would distract her. She didn’t want to think about work, or Simon, or Beca. Several minutes later, Emily gave up and handed Aubrey the remote, who switched it off. “Em, what’s going on? You aren’t acting like yourself tonight.”
Emily sighed and ran a hand over her face. “Sorry, Bree. It was a long day.” She draped her arm around Aubrey’s shoulders and pulled her close.
Aubrey slipped her hand into Emily’s. “Anything I can do to help?” she asked quietly, not knowing what to do.
Emily squeezed her hand but didn’t answer right away. She needed a distraction but hesitated to ask for it. “I… I need to relieve some stress…” she said uncertainly.
The blonde could hear in her voice what she needed and was happy to oblige. Leaning close, she captured Emily’s lips in a deep, passionate kiss. Emily leaned into it urgently, suddenly desperate for what her partner could provide.
***
When Emily checked her phone at breakfast the next morning, there was a text from Beca. Stifling a sigh, she opened it.
“Can we talk?”
She put the phone down without answering. It was too early to deal with work shit yet. Finishing her French toast and latte, she changed for work. Back in the kitchen, Aubrey made a latte for Emily to take with her, hoping it would add a smile to her partner’s day.
When Emily came in to say good-bye, she pressed the travel mug into her hand. “I hope you have a better day, love.” Emily thanked her and gave her a lingering kiss before heading out.
She took her time driving to work. She and Simon were scheduled to record that morning, which Beca could easily find out. And she didn’t know if she was ready to talk yet. When she pulled into the lot and parked, she pulled out her phone to reply to Beca’s text. “Maybe later. Recording this morning.” Tapping send, she made her way inside.
Forty-five minutes later, she was in a studio tuning her guitar when Simon arrived. “Morning, Emily,” he said cheerfully.
“Morning, Simon. Feeling the beat today?”
He laughed. “Always. Ready to jam?” She nodded and soon enough it was time to work. They stopped at 11:30 so everyone could eat. Emily took her time leaving the studio, noticing Simon did, too. When they were done, Simon walked over to her. “Want to grab lunch and talk shop?”
“I should head to my office and work on some writing,” she replied, not really wanting anyone’s company.
Simon looked distressed. “I, uh, kinda wanted to talk to you, but… maybe this is simpler.” With no other warning, he stepped closer and kissed her.
Shocked, she shoved him away. “What the actual fuck?” she asked furiously.
Simon blinked. “I thought… we were getting along so well…”
“I have a partner, Simon. Just because we get along doesn’t mean I want to jump you. Christ.” She ran a hand through her hair. Beca had been right and now things were complicated. “Just… stay away for a while. That was not okay.” She picked up her stuff and headed for the elevator. As she waited, she texted Beca. “You available? Important.”
“In my office. Come on up.”
Emily took the elevator to Beca’s floor and made straight for Beca’s door, which was open. She knocked anyway. Beca looked up and waved her in, and she closed the door behind her. “Beca, I…” Her voice wavered and she sat with a heavy sigh.
“Em, what’s wrong?” Even if the songwriter was mad at her, she would do what she could to help.
“You were right, and I’m sorry.” She leaned her face in her hands. “I should have listened, but it’s so much worse now.”
Beca stood and moved around her desk to sit next to her distraught friend. “What happened?”
“Simon… he… he kissed me.”
Beca jumped at that. “Wait, when?”
“Ten minutes ago in the studio right after we finished recording.”
“Tell me everything,” Beca requested, and Emily filled in his invitation to lunch and what he’d actually said. “He’s a fucking idiot. Who kisses someone out of the blue without knowing if they’re even available?” She put a hand on Emily’s shoulder. “Em, I know you don’t want to hear it, but…”
“I have to tell Bree,” Emily finished quietly, staring down at her hands in her lap.
“Yeah. It’s probably gonna suck bad, but it needs to be done. Like, today. Don’t wait; it’ll only be worse.”
Emily nodded. “You’re right. Again. Becs, I’m so sorry for yesterday. You tried to warn me…” Her voice cracked as tears threatened.
Beca hugged her. “Take the afternoon. Go home and handle things there. Staying here thinking about it won’t make you feel better.” Emily gripped her friend tighter.
“Beca, what if…”
“Don’t. Don’t spiral into what if. Just go home and find out. You did everything right when it happened. And keep me posted.”
Emily took a deep breath and nodded. “Thanks, Becs. I’ll text when I can.” She gathered her stuff and headed back to her office for her coat, where she stopped to text Aubrey. “On my way home. Will explain when I get there. Love you.” Pulling her coat on, she went out to the car.
Aubrey was waiting in the living room with two fresh lattes when Emily arrived. The brunette trudged in and sat in the recliner. That was enough to tell Aubrey it was serious. “Em, what’s going on?”
Emily picked up her latte for one sip before slowly detailing the last two days. She flinched when Aubrey’s jaw dropped at the kiss. Eyes on the carpet, she finished the story. “Bree, I’m so sorry. I had no idea that would happen and if I could undo it, I would.” Her voice got quiet. “I understand if you…”
Aubrey moved to kneel next to Emily’s knees. “No, don’t even suggest that. You’re my world, Emily. I’m not happy about it happening, but it wasn’t your fault. I can see the guilt in your eyes, love. I can hear in your voice that you didn’t want it.”
Emily extended a shaking hand, which Aubrey took in her won and kissed. “I’m sorry, babe. That’s so inadequate, but I don’t have better words.” Her voice was laden with guilt and tinged with anger at herself. “I hope you can forgive me.” She moved to stand, but Aubrey held her hand tighter to keep her there.
“There’s nothing to forgive, Em. But if it’ll make you feel better, yes, I forgive you.” She stood, still holding Emily’s hand. “Can I sit with you?” Emily nodded and the blonde got comfortable in her lap, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Emily, I love you. I understand how someone else would be interested in you. You can’t control how others feel. But you did the right thing by pushing him away and telling him about me.”
Emily wrapped her arm around Aubrey’s waist. “How do I make it up to you?” she asked.
Aubrey combed her fingers through soft brown hair. “You don’t have to make up for anything. Em, please look at me.” Emily slowly raised her eyes to meet Aubrey’s. “I’m not angry or upset with you. Please don’t drown in this misplaced guilt.”
Emily looked into her pale blue eyes for a long moment, then hesitantly drew her into a long, deep kiss. Aubrey leaned into it, sensing this was what her partner needed, a visceral reminder of how much they loved each other. She shifted to straddle Emily’s lap and took her face in her hands for another, fiercer kiss. “Take what you need, Em. I love you,” she whispered against her lips.
Emily grabbed her hips and pulled her close. “I need to show you,” she murmured, gliding her fingers lightly up her spine, making her shiver. Aubrey pulled her shirt off and dropped it, which started them both undressing as fast as they could in the chair. Emily dipped her head to catch one pebbled bud in her teeth, tongue flicking hard against the sensitive flesh, eliciting deep groans from her partner as she dug her nails into her shoulders.
Reaching down, Emily’s finger found its target and Aubrey arched with a gasp at that contact, moving one hand to tangle in Emily’s hair. She moaned as she felt Emily’s fingers inside her and pulled her into an aggressive kiss. “Come for me, Bree,” Emily murmured. Moments later, Aubrey gripped her tight as she shuddered and voiced a hoarse cry. She leaned her head on Emily’s shoulder as she panted, still trembling as Emily’s arms encircled her and held her close.
The brunette kissed her shoulder gently. “I love you, Aubrey. I will always love you.”
Aubrey kissed her jaw. “I will love you my whole life, Em,” she replied with quiet but firm sincerity. They sat for a bit in silence, each dealing with the day’s events.
***
Emily had a hell of a time getting out of bed Thursday morning. She didn’t want to run into Simon, let alone have to work with him. After Aubrey went to start the coffee, Emily picked up her phone to text Beca, giving her the short version of the previous evening’s events. “I can’t handle him right now,” she ended the message.
“I’ll find you in the lot and you can work with me today. And I’m gonna pull some strings.”
Emily didn’t know what Beca had in mind, but was inclined to trust her after the last few days. She climbed out of bed and made her way to the kitchen for breakfast.
“Feeling okay?” Aubrey asked as she served eggs and sausage with a fresh latte.
“Just don’t really want to go in. But Beca said she’s up to something and will keep me away from Simon. I have no desire to talk to him.” She set about eating as Aubrey sat with her own plate.
“Beca will help you, Em. She’s family and only wants what’s best for all of us.”
Emily nodded. “I know. But eventually I won’t be able to avoid him.” She sighed and sipped her drink.
“One day at a time, love. Just concentrate on today.”
At 9, Emily was sitting in her car in the parking lot waiting for Beca. She saw Simon go in, and was glad he couldn’t try to talk to her outside. Five minutes later, she saw Beca and went to meet her. “He’s already inside. Thanks for this, Becs.”
“Anytime, Em. Your office or mine?”
“He won’t look in your office, but I need instruments.” They started for the door.
“Right. Your office first for the guitar, then up to mine to work.” Beca held the door for her friend and they moved towards the elevator. They froze when the door opened; Simon was standing there. He opened his mouth to say something, but Beca turned Emily around and headed for the stairs. “No worries. I’m making a call today.”
“You aren’t gonna get him fired, are you?”
Beca chuckled. “No, I’m going to do better than that. First, I’m telling Theo I want you for permanent back up on guitar and piano. Then I’m going to figure out who to talk to in order to make sure he never works with me.” They stepped into Emily’s office. “I don’t know exactly how it will shake out, but it should at least keep you from having to work with him. Avoiding him in the halls in much harder to guarantee while he works here.”
Emily packed the guitar in its case and grabbed the folder of sheet music off her desk. She followed Beca back to the elevator to go up to Beca’s office. On the way, Beca stopped at Theo’s office, drawing Emily inside with her.
“Theo, you remember Emily?”
“Yes, of course. We’re very glad to have you on board. I hope you’re settling in well.”
Beca interrupted the pleasantries. “I would like Emily to be the default for guitar and piano when I record. How do we make that happen?”
Theo shrugged. “I’ll put out a memo, and put copies in both of your files. If they send you someone else, refer to the memo.”
Beca clapped once, loudly. “Excellent. Please do that. Also, there’s a drummer I want kept far away from my work. I’ll get you his last name.” Emily chimed in to provide it. “Thanks, Em. Can you arrange that, too, Theo?” He nodded. “Alright. We’re working in my office today if anyone needs us.”
***
Emily felt much better when she got home that night. She found Aubrey in the bedroom folding laundry, who looked up when she sensed her in the doorway. She came around the bed for a hug. “Was work any better?”
Emily kissed her softly before detailing her day and Beca’s solution to the Simon issue. “There’s always a chance I’ll see him around the building, but I won’t have to work with him.”
“That’s fantastic, love. I knew Beca would look out for you. I’m so glad she found a plan and implemented it.”
“We should take Beca and Chloe to dinner next weekend to say thanks. I really don’t know what I would have done.” Emily reached up and caressed Aubrey’s cheek, who kissed her palm.
“That’s a great idea, Em. Why don’t you make the plans with them while I order dinner?”