CHAPTER 5

Beca tried to look calm on the outside but inside her brain is working overtime. It still throws her off when Chloe opens up to her about what happened.

Beca took a deep breath and exhaled. "Move in with me."

"What?" Chloe pulled back.

Beca dropped her hands. "What?" She echoed.

They both sat there in silence, waiting for the other to say anything but it was Chloe who broke the awkwardness first and started laughing. Beca finally let out the breath she was holding and put a hand over her heart.

"Oh my god. I'm so sorry. I don't know where that came from." Beca said relieved, almost out of breath.

Chloe was shaking her head. She admits it threw her off. "But you weren't kidding."

Beca blushed and scratched the back of her ear. "How can you? Can we just pretend I was?"

Chloe nodded but said. "There was that glint in your eye when you said it."

"It sounded a lot better in my head. I'm sorry. I can't believe I said that out loud."

"You are such a nerd. Do your fans even know this about you?"

"Oh yeah, totally. They love me for it." Beca laughed along with Chloe just really relieved that Chloe was not pushing her out after that.

When the laughing died down, Chloe was serious again and Beca went back to her end of the couch.

"I still can't believe it." Beca says almost as a whisper.

"What?" Chloe asked.

"I mean look at us. Look at you. Doctor Chloe, surgeon."

"What about you famous producer?"

"My music's famous. Not me."

"But didn't you say they were the same?"

Chloe didn't wait for Beca to answer and Beca does not like that look.

"By the way I don't think I can be Nathaniel's doctor anymore. I can help you find another doctor don't worry I know a few."

"What do you mean? Why?"

"I've been thinking about how I've been acting lately and I realised I've been very unprofessional and I'm sorry for that. I wasn't thinking. It's not that I'm mad at you. I mean I was but."

"Wait wait wait hold up. What are you saying? Nate's fine."

"I ignored your calls and messages. What if there was an emergency? In life and death situations every second counts and if anything happened oh my god I cant even begin." Chloe's voice cracked.

"Hey hey, stop beating yourself up for something that didn't happen. He's okay. Besides it's not entirely your fault. I was being a dick. I'll stop hounding your phone."

"Still it doesn't matter. What if something happened to him for something so stupid? Something so preventable?" Chloe's voice was rising.

Beca could sense that Chloe was no longer talking about Nate. She was clearly upset about something. She couldn't help but feel guilty for adding to her stress and worries. Not to mention that she also put her own son in danger.

Chloe didn't even realise she was shaking. Beca never was good at comforting anyone but she found herself moving closer to Chloe and was already reaching out for Chloe's hand before she could even stop herself.

"I stand by what I said when I found out. There's no one I trust more with Nate. So please stop being so hard on yourself. I especially know how that feels and it's not the best feeling."

Chloe's tears start to fall and it was heartbreaking.

"Oh Chlo, come here." Beca cups Chloe's face and wipes her tears with her thumbs. Chloe let herself fall into Beca's arms. She couldn't hold back the tears anymore when they started falling.

"I'm sorry I don't always cry at work."

"Don't be. It's just me."

"Thanks." Chloe pulled away again and they both returned to their respective corners.

Beca clears her throat when there was a knock at the door. Chloe was about to stand up but Beca beat her to it.

"Dinner's here."

Beca was just glad dinner was less awkward. They talked like old friends. No arguing. No talking about the past. Chloe asked about Beca's music and Beca asked about Chloe's parents. They don't talk about Wednesday either or Chloe's work. Chloe found it a pleasant distraction. When they ran out of things to talk about which was not unusual for them, they sat in comfortable silence doing their own thing.

"Just like the old times." Beca would think to herself. She got lost in her work for a little bit. She looks up at the time and didn't even realise that much has passed.

She looked to Chloe's side and she was not surprised to see that Chloe has fallen asleep. She chuckled softly and quietly put her headphones and laptop on the coffee table. She stands up and gently lifts Chloe's laptop that was on her lap. As soon as she did, Chloe lies down on the couch and tucked her legs.

Beca watched her for a bit. She could see how tired Chloe was so she didn't want to bother her any longer and let her sleep. She wonders how many nights Chloe's spent on this couch. Beca removes her jacket and puts it over Chloe. She also starts to clean up and pack her things.

Once everything was packed, she looks to Chloe again who was fast asleep. She hesitates but she tucks the hair that was on her face behind her ear.

As much as she hates to admit it, Chloe's words stuck. Yes she wants that second chance with Chloe so bad, but at what cost? She continued to caress Chloe's cheek and fix her hair careful not to wake her up. When she felt it coming, she quickly put a hand over her mouth as she choked out a sob.

"I'm sorry." She whispers. "I'm so so sorry." She doesn't even know why but she feels hot tears continue to prick her eyes. She quickly wipes them away and walks to the door.

She takes one last good look at Chloe before she leaves. "Goodbye Chloe."

Nate was with Jesse tonight so Beca found herself driving to the studio. There was something she needed to get off her chest.

Beca was at the booth in one of their recording studios. She took out a bottle of Jim Beam she had stashed in her office. She took a few gulps straight from the bottle in between writing profusely at her notepad as the words just continued to flow. She was crying too so it made everything slightly blurry from time to time. She mindlessly reaches out for the tissues to blow her nose. Music was her outlet and she let them out the only way she knew how.

Chloe woke up to her phone ringing. She was a bit disoriented and if it wasn't for Beca's jacket, she would think everything was just a dream.

"Hello, Doctor Beale speaking."

"Chloe? Oh my god. I was so worried when you didn't call me back." A worried Aubrey was on the other end.

"What time is it?"

"Are you drunk?"

"No Bree. Don't be ridiculous. I'm in my office. I'm on call."

"I'm sorry I was worried. Chicago said you weren't home yet and you haven't returned my call so I don't know."

"So you're calling me cause of that?"

"Yes and I wanted to tell you something."

When Aubrey didn't continue, Chloe could only shake her head. This was Aubrey's bad habit. "Take your time but please go on. What is it?"

"I booked my flights! I'm coming to see you!" Aubrey squealed.

"Oh my god! Are you serious? I can't wait but what's the occasion?"

"Nothing. I had free time so I thought why not."

"That's awesome! When?"

"The weekend after the next. You better make time for me."

"I have to double check my schedule but don't worry I will and let's book a hotel together or something."

"I got it all figured out don't worry I just need your pretty face to make time for me. I'm sorry I bothered you at work, lets talk more when you're off work."

"Alright. I'm so excited to see you Bree. I'll talk to you soon."

"Yup we do have a lot to talk about. Bye Chloe. Lots of love!"

Chloe looked down on Beca's jacket she had on her lap. She made a mental note to send Beca a text about it in the morning. She looked around her office, she was up now so she reached for her notes on the coffee table and continued reviewing them.

The following morning, Stacie and Cynthia Rose are at their work building on a Sunday looking for Beca. Security confirmed that Beca indeed got in last night and has not left the building.

"I'm going to kill her." Stacie says under her breath as they wait for the elevator to take them to the top floor.

"Stace let's wait to hear what she has to say first."

They first went to check her office but she wasn't there. They then decided to take the stairs as they make their way down to the studios.

They saw the red light in one of the studios was on and Stacie led the way. Cynthia Rose followed not even knowing what to expect to see on the other side of the door.

It wasn't what they saw but what they smelled first. The studio reeked of alcohol. Beca's never pulled a stunt like this before. Stacie was about to lose her shit until they saw their friend passed out on the floor with the empty bottle beside her and sheets of paper and tissues everywhere.

"Oh my god, is she dead?" Cynthia Rose said.

They approached her slowly, Stacie was poking her with the mic stand. Cynthia Rose picked up the sheets of paper lying around and read the lyrics to the song. She showed Stacie who could only shake her head.

"Could you get her some water and something to eat. I'll try to get her up." Cynthia Rose nodded. "Oh and I think she has an extra set of clothes in her office. Could you grab those too?"

"Sure thing. I'll be right back." Cynthia says as she leaves the studio in a hurry.

Stacie sighed and looked down at Beca's lifeless body on the floor. It's been a while since she's seen her friend like this. "Oh Becs. What happened?"

That was another long shift for Chloe and she couldn't wait to go home to her actual bed and get proper sleep. She was listening to a random radio station while driving as if on zombie mode and was on autopilot as she parked her car on her usual spot on the driveway.

She turned the engine off just as the guy on the radio said. "What a pleasant surprise to all Beca Mitchell fans this morning. I must say, as a fan myself, what a treat indeed. The Grammy-award winning producer who is currently the President of In-"

Chloe went wide-eyed as she hurriedly turned the car back on and turned the volume up of the radio. Chloe was tapping her foot impatiently and stopped when she heard the guy on the radio again.

"Released by SoundCloud. It also appears to be an original. Beca Mitchell or anyone from Indie Music Group has not released a statement about the new music. We have also reached out to them for any comment. In the meantime, this is for everyone who has not heard Beca Mitchell's latest single, this is Everglow."

Oh they say people come

They say people go

This particular diamond was extra special

And though you might be gone

And the world may not know

Still I see you celestial

Chloe gripped on the steering wheel tighter. There was no mistaking it was Beca's voice. She was definitely the one singing. But there's something so raw about the whole thing. It was giving Chloe goose bumps.

So how come things move on

How come cars don't slow

When it feels like the end of my world?

When I should but I can't let you go?

But when I'm cold, cold

When I'm cold, cold

There's a light that you give me

When I'm in shadow

There's a feeling within me, an everglow

What I wouldn't give for just a moment to hold

Yeah, I live for this feeling, this everglow

So if you love someone, you should let them know

Oh, the light that you left me will everglow

Chloe had tears welled up in her eyes threatening to fall but not quite yet. She knew Beca best expressed herself through music. She didn't want to be assuming but she knew the song was about them. There was a feeling of finality in the song and whether she admits it or not, her heart broke a little.

"This has triggered a debate online as to who the song is about. A lot of people are saying that it's about Jesse Swanson but really that's mainly because she has remained under the radar that people don't really know anything much about her. Some say that it's just a song, it doesn't have to be about anyone. But then die-hard fans argue that Beca Mitchell's music was never 'just a song'. If we are not mistaken the last single she released was Safe & Sound and there were speculations that was about her son but that was never confirmed either. What do you guys think? Reach out to any of our social media accounts. We would love to hear from you."

The radio hosts have now started discussing other news and Chloe was still in her car frozen in place. She was staring at the radio still. She blinked back the tears and tried to compose herself. It shouldn't have to matter she thought to her self. They were over a long long time ago anyway. Beca's jacket was demanding for her attention again. She couldn't explain it but something changed for her last night. She saw a glimpse of what she and Beca had and maybe that's why she was having these feelings.

She jumped and screamed when there was a knock on her door. Chicago was on the other side with a worried look.

"Are you okay?" He mouthed.

Chloe turned the car engine off again and grabbed her stuff. Chicago hugged her.

"I heard what happened. I'm so sorry."

Chloe appreciated the gesture. "You don't have to worry. It's okay."

"I know it's not. It's the hard part of our jobs. I'm always here if you want to talk about it."

Chloe already forgot about the incident at work. She quickly runs her hand through her hair. "I'm really okay. Like you said, it's a part of what we do. I'm really tired, I'm going to catch up on some sleep."

"Of course, go for it."

Chloe smiles at Chicago as he opens the door for her. "Thank you." She makes her way up to her room and plugged in her earphones. She really shouldn't be doing this to herself but she lets Beca's voice lull her to sleep.

It's been a few days and everyone is still talking about Beca's song. Beca has issued a statement that it was released by mistake and that it was in its very early stages. She adds that she appreciates everyone's support for Everglow and promised there will be another version released in the near future. Nothing else has been said about it but it doesn't stop the speculations and people continue to talk about it.

Chloe's been staring at a blank text message screen. She's wanted to send Beca something, anything but she just can't find the right words. The song probably meant nothing and she's making a big deal out of nothing but there was something she can't quite put her finger on.

She decides to settle with this and sent Beca the text.

To Beca: Hey Bec. Thanks for the other night. I have your jacket, let me know when you're free and I'll drop it at yours or something.

Stacie had been working nonstop since Beca's surprise release. Beca had been saying sorry nonstop as well.

"Were you really only meant to send it to her?"

"Yes. I didn't mean to cause any trouble. I was supposed to just record it and send to Chloe. It was supposed to be just between us two. I intended that song to be for her ears only. Now I don't even know if she's heard it."

"Oh she's heard it for sure, it's everywhere. Everyone loves the song too. I have several radio stations wanting to book you in for an interview and a live performance. One way or another, you're going to have to talk about this to the press in detail and perform it."

"But we already have so much in our plate. This is the last thing that we should be focusing on."

"I know but it's getting everyone's attention and it's pretty good for the company."

"Is it really?"

"Yeah I mean now people are looking our way and paying attention to what we release. Some would even go as far as it was a great marketing move, risky but it paid off."

Beca shrugged. "Lucky me I guess."

Stacie and Cynthia Rose exchanged looks again. They were really worried about their friend.

"Have you talked to her about it yet?"

Beca shook her head. "I don't even know where to start. I don't think there is anything to talk about. I think the song speaks for itself."

Stacie sighed. "You know, you should give Chloe more credit. Stop running away and just talk to her. She deserves that much."

"I don't want to bother her anymore. At least this time when I run into her, there will be no more hard feelings. "

"So what now?"

"I think she needs space right now. Besides I got us into this mess, I think we should focus on this one for now."

Stacie knew better than to argue when Beca was being like this. She gives her a knowing nod before leaving her office.

Beca looked down on her phone and her heart skipped a beat when she saw Chloe's name. She typed out her response and sent it before she changes her mind.

To Chloe: You're welcome and don't worry about it. I'll have someone pick it up. Thanks.

It's not that Chloe saw or talked to Beca often since they reunited in LA but she's been feeling uneasy ever since that night Beca came to visit her at the hospital. For some reason beyond her, Chloe couldn't stand it that Beca was avoiding her. The flowers stopped coming as well. If it wasn't for Aubrey arriving this weekend she would probably just be overthinking the whole thing in her head nonstop.

"So what if she is avoiding me? Why do I care so much if she is? God why am I like this? Why do I care?"

Her thoughts have been filled with Beca more and more these past few days and it didn't help that her song has reached the top five and was being played constantly everywhere.

Like right now, while she was waiting for Aubrey out here in the airport arrivals, the overhead speakers were playing Everglow. She even knew the words to the song by heart now. The only time she stopped thinking about Beca was when she saw Aubrey walking out the gates.

She started jumping and waving her hands. Aubrey did the exact same thing when she saw her and they both ran into each other's arms.

"Oh my god, I missed you!"

"You too. How have you been?" Aubrey looks at her closely. "You lost weight, have you not been eating properly? I'm telling you Chloe you should really start taking better care of yourself."

"Stop it, I'm fine. I am taking care of myself I promise. How was your flight?"

"Long. Can I shower first before you take me anywhere?"

"Of course. Come on let me take you home." Chloe helped Aubrey with her bags and they walked to her parked car.

Chloe didn't dare turn the radio on. She didn't want to risk Beca's song to play right now. She was sure Aubrey has heard of it. She was also sure that Aubrey was just waiting to pounce on her about it.

Aubrey looked around. She wasn't that familiar of the place yet but she could tell this was not the way home. "Where are we going? I thought we were going home first?"

"About that. I have news."

"What?"

"I moved out. Officially just a couple of days ago."

"What?!"

"Yeah the hospital offers accommodation anyway, so I just had to send in a request and hey three days later, I have a place."

"Oh my god."

"I know. I think it was time too. We talked about it and we agreed it would be best for Jamie and he is also taking it very well. I already gave him a mini tour and he said as long as he was allowed to come over to visit or sleep over he was fine."

"Oh my god." Aubrey repeated leaning back in her chair.

"Yup I know."

"Well in that case, I have news too."

"Yes. Please tell me."

"I only bought one way tickets."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm not going back to New York." Aubrey says in one quick breath.

"What? Wait. Oh my god. Are you telling me what I think you're telling me?"

"Yes and there's more."

"Why didn't you tell me? We could've moved in together. Wait. I'm pretty sure you can still move in with me." Chloe was all sorts excited. She missed her people and having one of them move here permanently with her was such a plus. "Wait. What do you mean there's more?"

"I broke up with Dave."

"What?!"

"A while ago now actually."

"Bree. Why didn't you tell me? Oh my god. I can't focus. Can you hold that thought? We're five minutes away from my place. I don't' wanna crash."

Aubrey just nodded. They kept to themselves the rest of the ride. It's like both women were trying to process what's happening and organize their thoughts. The moment Chloe pulled out her keys from the ignition, she couldn't wait anymore and picked it up exactly where they left off.

"So you broke up with Dave? When?"

"Yup. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. It's just that you had so much going on already with Beca being back in your life."

"Bree that doesn't matter. You should've told me. Are you okay?"

"Yeah I mean I've been meaning to move to here anyway."

"Was that why you broke up with him?"

"It was a part of it. But it was really when we started living together. We couldn't get anything right and it went downhill from there."

"Oh my god. Oh Bree, pleases don't ever feel like you can't tell me things, okay?" Chloe says as they step in the elevator.

"Well, there is an actual reason why I didn't tell you."

Chloe didn't say anything and just waited for Aubrey. When it didn't seem like Aubrey was going to continue Chloe rolled her eyes.

"Please just tell me what it is. You're killing me here."

"Okay. I didn't tell you cause I'm moving in with Chicago." Aubrey says cautiously observing Chloe's reaction.

"Why would you be moving in with him?" Then Chloe's eyes bulged. "Oh my god! No." Chloe wasn't sure why she sounded horrified.

Aubrey tries to hide her face with her hands as she settled on the barstool on the counter. She was blushing like crazy as Chloe connected the dots.

"Oh my god you're not kidding." Chloe couldn't believe it. "I need a fuckin' drink." It was barely noon but Chloe was rummaging her cupboard for alcohol and glasses.

"It just happened. Can you make that two please?"

"Sure can." Chloe says already pouring two glasses.

Beca, Stacie, Jesse and Cynthia Rose were in their weekly meetings to stay on top of things and to provide updates of each of the departments. But their past two meetings have been mainly about Beca's surprise released.

Stacie was done telling Beca off because of her little stunt. Besides the whole debacle turned out to do more good for them than bad. She also couldn't handle that her friend's been punishing herself enough already. Beca's been acting like a robot lately and drowned herself with work. Since her song has been doing well in the charts, they decided to re-record the song and produce it properly but even though Beca won't admit it, they know she's been having a hard time to sing it.

"Hey Becs, we're grabbing a drink later if you want to join us."

"Nah, I'm gonna have to pass. I wanna lie low for a bit to get everyone off my back."

It's been a while since Beca has been hounded by the paparazzi or the press but this was her own doing so she's gonna have to suffer the consequences.

"Are you sure? We invited Chloe and she said she was down for a catch up."

Stacie elbowed Cynthia Rose for even mentioning the name. Cynthia rubbed the area that Stacie elbowed just now but it didn't stop her from continuing.

"I think this will be good for you. You can't avoid her forever. Besides I don't think she's mad."

"I'm not avoiding her and really the last thing I want to happen is for the press to be looking at Chloe's direction right now. So you guys have fun later and have a drink or two for me. Now if there's nothing else, I'd like to go back to my office."

Stacie held Cynthia Rose's arm to stop her from saying whatever it was she was going to say.

"Nope that's all for us. Let us know if you need anything." Stacie says for the two of them.

"Yup. Alright you too." Beca taps the table twice and gets up.

Chloe and Aubrey were dancing around Chloe's living room to whatever song was playing on the radio. They ended up not going anywhere and just kept drinking at Chloe's. They were definitely feeling the alcohol now. It was only until Beca's song came on that they fell back to the couch.

"Oh great. Not this song again. I'm telling you Aubrey, don't date a singer. They haunt you with their songs. It's not fair."

"That's right. Spill. What's up with you two and that song? Shit Chlo, did you turn her down that hard?"

"Of course not."

Chloe told Aubrey everything that happened from the time when she left a voice mail on Aubrey's phone to Beca being in her office to her driving home to a song released by Beca that same night. Everything happened within less than twelve hours.

"Wow. Do you think she meant to release it?"

"What do you mean?"

"The timing of the release and all is a bit."

"She already said it was released by mistake."

"Come on don't believe everything you read Chloe."

Chloe thought about it. "I don't know. I mean, why then? Yes we have been fighting but that night we weren't and I saw glimpses of my old Beca and what we had. Why release a song as if she's saying goodbye to me for good? Is this supposed to be closure?" Chloe replayed that night again. She probably couldn't blame Beca to think to say goodbye for good after that but still she was the opposite. She was almost hopeful after.

"From what you're telling me, I agree, I do think it's goodbye. Were you looking for closure? Or maybe she was. I think that's closure?"

"Not really, I don't think so? Am I crazy to feel like this? I'm almost uhm.. I feel-" She wanted to say heartbroken.

"What? What do you feel?"

"Sad." Chloe sighed and blinked back the tears.

"I think you two should just really talk it out. There's only one person that could answer all your questions."

"We have tried talking and she doesn't have the answers either."

"Well there's one other person."

"Who?"

"You."

I looked at Aubrey and rolled my eyes at her playfully.

"Will she be there later?"

"Who knows?"

"Will you be okay? What will you do when you see her?"

"Nothing. I'll be fine don't worry. You know me." Chloe then starts to panic as it starts to sink in to her the situation she put herself in. "Oh god oh god, why did I say yes to later?"

"Let's drink some more?"

"Yes. Lets." They got off the couch and head towards the kitchen for refills.

Beca got into work early on a Monday morning. Not that she was trying to avoid Stacie or Cynthia Rose she wasn't avoiding anyone. It's just that she woke up early and couldn't go back to sleep.

It was barely time for a coffee run when Stacie and Cynthia Rose invited themselves to her office. She doesn't even know why she tries to get away from these two.

"Come on just tell me how it went. Let's get this over with."

Stacie looked to Cynthia Rose. Beca was a bit surprised that Stacie was giving Cynthia Rose the ropes on this one.

"Well. She was a no show. She kind of ditched us but not really."

"What do you mean?"

"Well long story short. She started day drinking on Saturday and passed out and woke up with a terrible hangover on Sunday."

"Chloe?"

"Yup."

Beca looks to Stacie. "Do you believe that?"

Cynthia Rose answers for them. "Well you see it was a rare weekend where Chloe wasn't working so she kind of went crazy and it's been a while since she's been drinking. I think it's totally believable."

Stacie just shrugs. "I mean. It happens."

"Huh." Was all Beca could say. She found that rather interesting.

Beca couldn't stop thinking about it. It probably was true, she thinks to herself. It was too much effort to make up a story like that if you just wanted to back out from a night out with friends.

Beca wasn't supposed to be here. Fred was more than capable of picking up Nate on his own. Nate hung out with Jamie today at Jamie's. When Beca found out about this, she contemplated all day whether or not she should be here yet here she was outside Chloe's doorstep.

She looks around again and rang the bell only when she was convinced that the paps did not follow her.

She didn't wait long before someone answered the door but no one could have prepared her for this.

"Jesus Christ!"

Aubrey just stood there with her arms crossed and eyebrows raised to the roof. Beca thinks okay, Chloe was telling the truth.

"Please don't hurt me. I come in peace. I'm just here to pick up my son." Beca surrenders.

"His Dad already came for him."

"What?" Beca then grabs her phone from her back pocket and true enough there was a text from Jesse saying that he will pick up Nate.

"Fuck. I'm sorry. I just saw his message."

Aubrey just nodded but didn't say anything else. Beca thought she was just waiting for her to leave.

"Is Chloe home by any chance?" She asked since she was already here.

"No. She doesn't live here anymore."

"What do you mean? Where'd she go?"

Aubrey just gave her a look as if to say, 'really you think I'll tell you her new address'.

Beca seemed to get the message. "Right. Gotcha."

"Is that all? Well, off you go then."

"Yup. Sorry if I bothered you."

Beca nodded and started to walk away. But for some reason, she turned back around. Aubrey was still watching her and didn't move from her spot.

"You know what I get it, okay. You hate me." Beca starts to march back towards Aubrey. "And you have every right to hate me."

Aubrey nodded in agreement. Her face is still not giving away any emotion.

"Look you can stop worrying about me. I think you'll be glad to hear that I'm backing off, alright? I don't want to hurt Chloe anymore. I'm leaving her alone, I'm letting her go, I'm setting her free, whatever you wanna call it. So stop looking at me like that." She's not sure why her voice is rising.

"Like what?"

"Like that. I don't know. Like I'm the bad guy."

Aubrey doesn't say anything cause she can see that Beca has more to say.

"I get it. I can't just barge into her life whenever I feel like it. It seems like everyone's moved on but me. I'm the only one hung up about this whole thing so I should just let it go."

"Every time I see her, it just makes me so angry at myself, how I walked out on the love of my life, the one who I was supposed to spend the rest of my life with. And then it makes me feel guilty cause it's like I blame my son for losing her but I don't so I get more mad at myself."

True enough Beca had a lot to say.

"All these years I kept telling everyone that I thought I had to choose or that Chloe deserved better but the truth is I wanted to protect my son from finding out the truth. The last thing I want is for him to feel like I didn't want him. Nate is my everything."

Beca didn't even care anymore that she was crying in front of Aubrey. She was about to walk away again when Aubrey finally spoke up.

"How much do you love Chloe?"

"I love Nate more than anything in this world but fuckin' hell Chloe is a damn close second."

"And how badly do you want her back?"

Aubrey was very hard to read. Beca still had tears in her eyes and continued to sniff. "Didn't you just hear what I just said? I said I'm done. I'm letting her go."

"Okay, so you don't want her back that bad then."

"What are you saying?"

"If I said to you I'll help you get your second chance."

"Hang on a minute. Why would you do that?"

"Cause you're not the only one with the questions Beca. Chloe deserves answers too."

Beca looks at Aubrey. She wants to make sure Aubrey''s not playing with her feelings. "You're really going to help me?"

"You can think about it if you want. I don't want you rushing this. This is Chloe we're talking about."

"Then fuck it. I'm in."

"You only get one shot at this."

"What do you need me to do?"

"Meet me tomorrow. Let's get some rest."

"Okay I can do that." Beca stepped closer and was about to wrap Aubrey in an embrace when she saw Aubrey step back and hesitate. "Too soon?"

"Way too soon."

"Sorry. I'm going to get going now. Thank you again."

"Don't thank me yet."

That night Beca could not sleep. She kept twisting and turning in bed. She couldn't get her head around what Aubrey could possibly have planned for her to be able to win back Chloe. All she could think of is maybe Chloe said something to her.

Beca was too excited to sleep. Tomorrow couldn't come sooner enough.

The next thing she knows is she was waking up to her phone ringing. She checked the time quickly before answering.

"Stace it's 7am."

"Where the fuck did you go last night?"

"Woah. Chill. Who died? What happened?"

"Listen to me Becs. I'm going to send you something right now and you're going to listen to it. Then you're going to get your ass over here and explain to me what the hell happened last night so I can fix this."

There was urgency in Stacie's voice that Beca just knew that whatever happened is definitely serious.

"I'll be there in half an hour."

"Good." Stacie ends the call.

Beca opens the attachment Stacie has sent her and saw it was an audio message.

"Holy fuck if I released another fuckin' song in my sleep, I swear…" Beca says to her self.

The moment Beca heard the opening lines, all the blood drained from her face.

"Look you can stop worrying about me. I think you'll be glad to hear that I'm backing off, alright? I don't want to hurt Chloe anymore. I'm leaving her alone, I'm letting her go, I'm setting her free, whatever you wanna call it. So stop looking at me like that." She's not sure why her voice is rising.

"Like what?"

"Like that. I don't know. Like I'm the bad guy."

"I get it. I can't just barge into her life whenever I feel like it. It seems like everyone's moved on but me. I'm the only one hung up about this whole thing so I should just let it go."

"Every time I see her, it just makes me so angry at myself, how I walked out on the love of my life, the one who I was supposed to spend the rest of my life with. And then it makes me feel guilty cause it's like I blame my son for losing her but I don't so I get more mad at myself."

"All these years I kept telling everyone that I thought I had to choose or that Chloe deserved better but the truth is I wanted to protect my son from finding out the truth. The last thing I want is for him to feel like I didn't want him. Nate is my everything."

"How much do you love Chloe?"

"I love Nate more than anything in this world but fuckin' hell Chloe is a damn close second."

Beca was left slack-jawed. The first thing that comes to her mind is if Aubrey knows about this already cause she might have just lost all her chances at a happy ever after with Chloe. Then she thinks about Nate.

She calls Stacie back.

"Stacie. Where did you get this? Is it out?"

"It's already all over the internet."

"Fuck fuck fuck. Where's Nate?"

"He is on his way here as well. Jesse is bringing him. He's okay don't worry."

"I'm on my way."