Do You Still Love Me When We Meet Again? (Aubrey and Damon) novel Chapter 28

Aubrey left the restaurant and headed to the supermarket,

She pushed her shopping can, her mood somber, picking out the household essentials they needed.

The supermarket was huge, but the aisles weren’t crowded.

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As she passed the prepared food aisle, she pulled open the freezer door, grabbing a bag of steamed pork buns. She hesitated for a few seconds, then put

them back.

Ever since she’d moved in

with Dan

Damon, she hadn’t eaten pre–packaged meals like these in a long time

Suddenly, a wave of wistfulness washed over her.

Damon’s kindness terrified her, a

a fear of falling

lling for him a

over again.

Caleb’s words reminded her. Hadn’t she ended things back then precisely because she was terrified of jeopardizing his future?

Her mind was adrift, a heavy, damp gloom seuling over her like a perpetual storm, as she listlessly pushed her shopping cart when her phone suddenly

tang.

She fumbled in her bag, pulling out her phone and glancing at the caller ID: Sierra

She took a moment to compose herself before answering, bringing the phone to her ear.“Sierra, good morning,” she said, continuing to walk.

A lively, clear voice chirped from the other end.“Bree, how are you seuling in with Damon?”

“It’s fine.”

‘Are there any inconveniences?”

Yes, but I make it work.”

It’s definitely inconvenient having a man around, but Damon’s a decent guy. He wouldn’t do anything inappropriate.”

Mm hmm.”

I remember when you first met, he forced a kiss on you, and you bit his lip raw. Is he still interested in you?”

No, don’t jump to conclusions.”

Good. Even if he were, he wouldn’t dare try anything with a lawyer.”

Aubrey didn’t wa

want to talk about Damon, so she changed the subject. “How are you adjusting to married life with Ryan‘

Herra grumbled, “Not well, honestly. It’s a constant cycle of little spats and big fights. So many petty things come up in daily life. It’s driving me insane.”

You two rushed into marriage, getting hitched less than a month after meeting. You haven’t had a chance to work out the kinks yet. It’ll get better with

ime.”

Don’t even get me started on men; they’re nothing but trouble,” Sierra muttered, then exclaimed excitedly, “Oh, right, Bree, Ethan’s back in the ountry!”

kubrey’s steps faltered. Her whole body went rigid, her feet rooted to the spot, standing motionless in front of the shelves.

Herra continued, “We haven’t seen each other in ages. We should find a time to catch up.”

Aubrey said nervously, “Sierra, don’t tell. Fahun that Damon and I are roommates. And definitely don’t tell him my address.”

Why Sierra asked, a troubled Frown creasing loer row and a pang of shame evident in het volke Oh Aubrey, I’m so sorry. When he reached out

esterday, I’d already told him about your situation. And it just slipped out that you and Damon were sharing a place.”

Aubrey lowered her head, a weary sigh escaping her lips “It’s okay.”

Ethan and I have been close childhood friends forever. He’s never going to lie literested in you, as what are you even worried about!”

It was true. Ethan would never like her.

But Ethan liked Damon

Throughout their four years in college, Ethan had always harbored a desire for Damon. It was only because Aubrey had known Damon fire that Ethan hadn’t made a move on her best friend’s boyfriend.

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Some men curious about exploring their sexuality, would even experiment with someone like Ethan. Often, Erhan would parade these unconventional flings as conquests, bragging about them to Aubrey and their friends.

As childhood friends who had grown up together, all they could do was urge him to protect himself.

When she’d wanted Damon to break up all those years ago, Ethan had been ecstatic, playing along with her charade with

Soon after they returned to Crestview City, Ethan’s parents sent him abroad to pursue his Master’s degree. He’d stayed there ever since, managing a branch of their company.

Aubrey chatted with Sierra for a while, then hung up, paid the bill, and headed home.

The midday sun was warm.

Aubrey carried her shopping bags, walking toward home.

The sidewalk of the residential complex was lined with tall trees, and sunlight dappled through their lush leaves, casting shifting shadows on the path.

A gentle breeze brushed past, stirring Aubrey’s hair from her forehead, bringing a refreshing coolness.

Free,” a gentle, clear male voice called out

Aubrey froze, startled, then spun around abruptly.

Before she could even make out his face, a body reeking of strong cologne lunged forward, enveloping her in a tight hug.

Surprise!” the man exclaimed, hugging her tighter, his voice brimming with excitement

I wasn’t a pleasant surprise. It was a jolt of alarm.

Aubrey gently pushed him back.

Ethan cupped her face in his hands. “Babe, I missed you so much

Aubrey managed a bitter smile. “When did you get back?”

Yesterday. Went to see Sierra, my dear, first. You moved and changed your number, so I had to get your new address from her. Then I practically flew over here to see you today.”

How long are you staying this time?”

I’m back for good.” Ethan looped an arm around her shoulders. “Come on, take me up to your place. Let’s hang out.”

Aubrey froze, her feet glued to the spot. “Don’t come to my place,” she said, her voice tight with reluctance. “Let’s call Sierra and find somewhere else to

Damon is working in Crestview City now, isn’t he? And he’s living with you.” Ethan narrowed his eyes, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. Don’t tell ne you two luve rekindled things?”

No Aubrey shook her head

Good,” Ethan said “Bree darling, the man you don’t want, it’s time you let me have him.” He looked his arm around her shoulders, nagging her forward

Kulurey pushed bus hand away again, her voice sharp with annoyance “Ethan you’ve got so many boyfriend. Canyon

vamshed “Beer, are you even my last friend anymore? You know how much I’ve always wanted him. He’s the diram by unly regret is that you met hun first, and out of loyalty to om friendling, Inenti

Aubrey felt a deep seamen unde iar las “He doesn’t like

Exhachuckled Ive seen plenty of euatter where people thinglashy bew what they wanted, only to fled something new With engl

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Autory was utterly perdess he was silent for a few monds before she fully said, “You have many love You don’t end Don

Eilan deslated emphatically, bus voise ringing

partner that same night I deleted all my

about hygiene, I’m completely clean I love him more than you do. If he’ll jus give me a chams, I swear I’ll never be him fost she was

Aubrey’s chest tightened with a suffocating anxiety. She pressed a hand to her forehead, sighing heavily, then turned her head, rahaling sky

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gazed into the distance.

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Ethan Sterling had a face so beautifully sculpted it could rival anyone’s, a brilliant smile, and a subtly androgynous style that made him look delicately. handsome. His personality was gentle and eager to please, and he just got men, knew exactly how to charm them.

Ethan, I’m begging you, leave Damon alone.” A surge of fear shot through Aubrey; she’d never felt anything like it.

Ethan’s brow furrowed, his voice laced with displeasure. “You still love Damon!”

Aubrey nodded. “Yes, I love him deeply. Can you, please, for my sake, just let this go?”

Ethan’s smile only grew, a mischievous glint in his eyes, as he shook his head. “We’ll have a healthy competition. Don’t play dirty, and don’t you dare tell sim about my sexuality. The rest is Damon’s choice.”

He finished, then slung an arm around Aubrey’s shoulders again, firmly pulling her along.

Aubrey shoved his hand off, her voice sharp with exasperation. Let go!”

Take me to your place to find him.”

No.

Come on, let me just see him…”

Ethan, I’m serious, I’m getting angry now!”

Whatever. I have to see him today, one way or another.”

Aubrey batted his hand away, only for him to loop an arm around her again. It became a constant push and pull as they descended the stairs. Just as they eached the ground floor, both froze.

Jamon was coming down the stairs, a bag of trash in hand.

Their eyes locked as he came face–to–face with them.

The air seemed to solidify around them.

Jamon’s gaze clashed with Ethan’s–one glacial, the other brimming with fervent emotion.

Caught between them, Aubrey felt her heart pound, her amdious gaze flitting nervously between Damon and Ethan.

This emotional showdown left her utterly bewildered.

he was more terrified of Ethan and Damon meeting than she had ever been of Caleb,

econds stretched into an eternity, the air growing thick and heavy, as if coated in a layer of frost, the oppressive pressure almost suffocating

Jamon slowly approached Aubrey, holding out the bag of trash, “Aubrey, could you take this out for me?”

ubrey set down her shopping bags and took the trash bag he offered.“Damon, don’t you dare start anything”

I won’t,” Damon said, a smooth, calm smile playing on his lips.

fe didn’t look like an impulsive man at all.

jubrey clutched the trash bag, turning to walk towards the recycling bins. She kept glancing over her shoulder, her gaze fixed uneasily on the two men.

out of earshot, Damon walked up to Ethan

Shan offered soft smile and extended his lund “Long time no see, Damon”

Jamon’s hand balled into a fist, be swung a furious punch.

onto

The panels connected with a sickening thud, sending Faban sprawling on the gras

Damn, Ethan hissed, gasping in pain as he crumpled to lals knees, clutching his check. He grimaced, instantly regretting the hours of maintenance he sut into his perfectly sculpted face. It hurt like hell, but at least Damon hasn’t aimed for his nose Otherwise, he’d be scheduling another procedure.

mise.

Jamon walked over, fisted his hand in Ethan’s collat, and hauled him to lih feet

Not a flicker of anger showed in Ethan’s eyes, at

and a small smile still played on his

If you were going to take Aubrey from me, why didn’t you sherish her?” Damon’s eyes were bloodshot, his fury boiling. He bit out each word, “What was she to you? A toy? If you didn’t want her, why are you provoking her now!”

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Ethan’s brow furrowed pitifully, and he squeezed out a few tears, his large, glistening eyes fixed on Damon. He whined, “Damon, we’ve known each other for over three years since college. I’ve always considered you my best friend. I would never betray you. Aubrey seduced me. I never liked her, but she relentlessly pursued me, chasing after me. Wasn’t I the victim here?”

Damon’s hands trembled with rage, his fists itching to strike.

I’m not here for her. I’m here for you.” Ethan forced out a few tears, letting them slide down his refined face. He whispered, his voice thick with emotion. Tve always considered you my best friend. I hate that Aubrey climbed into my bed, and I hate even more that she wouldn’t leave me alone, destroying our brotherhood. When she followed me back to Crestview City, I never got involved with her. I left the country. All these years, my heart has been filled with guilt towards you. Just like you, I absolutely despise Aubrey.”

Damon, forcing himself to calm down, brutally shoved Ethan’s collar away.

Ethan tumbled to the ground as Damon turned and walked away.

He scrambled to his feet, chasing after Damon and grabbing his wrist. “Damon,” he pleaded, his voice soft and subservient, can we still be friends!”

Damon yanked his hand away, his gaze icy with disgust. “Never.”

“Why is it Aubrey’s fault, yet I’m the one paying the price?” Erhan cried, large tears rolling down his handsome face, his voice thick with emotion. We’re both victims here, aren’t we? Why should our friendship shatter because of one woman? Is this fair to me?”

man. Why are you crying like a baby?”

Damon frowned, utterly exasperated.“You’re a grown man

I’m hurt! I’m upset! My best friend is abandoning me over a woman–isn’t it normal for me to cry?”

Damon grabbed his collar again, his voice tight with suppressed rage. “You swear you don’t love her?”

Ethan stated emphatically, looking him dead in the eye. “I swear, I’ve known Aubrey for over twenty years, and I’ve never loved her.”

“Then