Slow Grind (Men of Mornington)

“I know,” she whispers and follows Sam and me out to the lot.

After dropping Sam off at his place, I head toward Max’s and notice Aubrey is falling asleep in the passenger seat. I want to wake her, make sure she knows I’m sorry for hurting her feelings, but after the hellish ordeal we’ve just been through, she needs her rest as much as Max needs his. Parking in Max’s garage, I’m prepared to carry her upstairs, but she wakes as soon as the car turns off.

“Thanks for the ride,” she says sweetly in her I-just-woke-up voice, and it’s sexy. I’d love nothing more than to hear her tell me good morning in that voice every fucking day.

“Of course. Call me if you need anything, okay?”

“Drew?” Aubrey looks down at her lap and doesn’t make eye contact with me.

“Huh?”

“This is going to sound stupid and childish, but will you stay here tonight? You can have Max’s bed or the couch. Please. I’m terrified the hospital will call, and I won’t have a way to get there right away. I’m scared I won’t be there if...” Her voice trails off.

“You don’t have to beg, Aubs. Whatever you need. You know that,” I say, not letting her finish her sentence. “We’re going to go back to my place, though. I prefer my bed to Max’s couch.”

“Thanks. I just need … someone.”

“I’m here.” I brush the hair away from her face. “I’m always going to be here.”

Chapter Twelve

Aubrey

I smile as Drew places a towel at the end of the bed and tells me where the extra linens are in case I need them. The last thing I wanted was to be alone tonight, not with Max so sick. I wanted to stay at the hospital, but both Drew and the doctors convinced me the best thing I could do was go home and get a few hours of sleep. I’d prefer to be at Max’s apartment, but Drew’s place isn’t too shabby, and it’s actually quite comforting, considering the circumstances.

Even though I don’t feel as on edge as I was earlier, I still don’t think I’ll be getting much sleep tonight. My brain won’t be quiet long enough for me to close my eyes.

“Can I get you anything?” Drew asks, breaking me from my thoughts.

I shake my head. “I’m okay. Really,” I add when he raises an eyebrow. “I should call Mum and let her know what’s going on. I’ll let Dad know, too.”

“Okay, I’ll leave you alone then.”

I wait until he’s gone before I dig my phone out of my handbag. I send Dad a quick text asking him to check in with Mum or me when he wakes—the time difference is killer when you need to tell someone news. I then scroll to my mother in the contacts and press call. I haven’t heard from her since Max, and I left. You think she would have at least called to see how he was.

“Aubrey,” she says when she finally answers. I smother a laugh. How does she always manage to make me feel like I’m bothering her? “Is something wrong?”

“I wouldn’t be calling you to chat.” I try to keep the edge out of my voice, but it’s not working out very well for me. The lack of sleep and stress is killing me. “Max is in hospital.”

“What?” Mum gasps. “When? What happened?”

“Nothing happened, he just hasn’t been well. The doctors think it might be pneumonia.”

“Which hospital?”

“Royal Melbourne. They’ll call me as soon as they know anything.”

“Why didn’t you call me the second you took him there?” Mum asks, her voice rising. “This is exactly why I didn’t want the two of you living together. I knew caring for him would be too much for you. He’s too fragile to care for himself. Dammit, Aubrey.”

“You’re blaming this on me?” I ask, incredulous. “Exactly how was I supposed to stop him getting something he’s prone to get? Do I carry a cure in my back pocket, Mother?”

“Well, he certainly didn’t come down with a life-threatening infection when he was staying with me,” she responds. “I paid attention, as you should have. You’re probably too concerned with mooning over that boy to take care of your brother.”

“I’ll call you if I hear anything more,” I say quietly, my heart hurt now more than my ego. There is no point continuing this conversation if all she is going to do is blame me. I end the call and throw my phone across the room, narrowly missing Drew as he pokes his head in the door. It’s not the first time I’ve been the subject of her disdain, and it certainly won’t be the last.

“So, I’m guessing it went well?” he jokes, grabbing my phone from the corner of the room.

“Sorry,” I mumble. I sit down on the bed, accepting the phone as he hands it back to me.