Page 51 of Champagne Nights

“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.”

Chapter Nineteen

Ethan

I drank myself into oblivion after Aubrey decided to leave and passed out on the couch. My sister had no right to bring up Sophia. Now, Aubrey knew a piece of my past I wanted to keep secret. She said she didn’t need to know about her, but I knew damn well her curiosity at some point would get the best of her, and she’d start asking questions. I hurt her feelings with what I said, which bothered me—another reason I could no longer continue seeing her. I was getting too close, and everything I had fought to keep buried inside me was starting to emerge.

I opened my eyes as the sun beat through the living room windows, blinding me and making the pounding headache I had intensify. I rolled off the couch and stumbled up the stairs to my bedroom. I reeked of alcohol, and it was making me sick. Stumbling into the bathroom, I turned on the shower, stripped out of my clothes, and stood under the warm water, placing my hands on the tiled wall for support. I hadn’t been this hungover in years. But that wasn’t what I was thinking about as I kicked back several glasses of scotch. I drank to stop thinking about herand to stop thinking about the pained look on her face after our conversation.

The day had come and gone. I attended a few parties my friends were throwing in honor of Labor Day and then strolled in around midnight. I thought that staying out all day would help me get my mind off of Aubrey. But it didn’t. Even the numerous women hanging all over me and trying to get me to fuck them didn’t take my mind off of her.

I awoke feelinglike I had been hit by a truck. Another night, another nightmare, and a bad mood took hold of me. I stumbled out of bed, showered, dressed, and headed downstairs to the kitchen.

“Good morning, Ethan.” Ingrid smiled as she poured me a cup of fresh coffee.

“Morning,” I mumbled.

“Uh-oh,” she spoke.

She always knew by the look on my face what type of mood I was in.

“Don’t ask me any questions. Not today, Ingrid. I’m in no mood.”

“I can tell. So I won’t ask.”

“Pour the coffee into my travel mug. I need to get to the office.”

“What about breakfast?”

“I don’t want any breakfast.” I scowled.

After taking my travel mug from Ingrid, I grabbed my briefcase and headed towards the door.

“Have a good day, Ethan!” she shouted sarcastically.

“It won’t be!” I snapped.

Climbing into the limo, I slammed the door shut. Harry turned around and looked at me.

“I suppose it’s not a good morning.”

“Just drive.” I pulled out my phone.

I heard him sigh as he pulled away from the curb and drove me to the office.

“Holly!” I shouted as I passed her desk. “In my office, now!”

She followed me inside and shut the door.

“Good morning, sir.”

I rolled my eyes and sighed as I turned around and looked at her.

“Actually, it’s not a good morning, and I don’t want you ever to assume it is. Understand?”

---