In Between

CHAPTER TWO

THE POUNDING INmy head beat like a hammer before I could even open my eyes. A slick sheen of sweat covered my face, and my stomach lurched at the thought of moving, even to roll over and check my phone. With my eyes still closed, I reached sideways to feel for the nightstand where I always kept my phone. But this felt weird. The nightstand was too low, and the bed felt roomier and softer than usual.

I opened my eyes to find myself in a dark room that was definitely not my own. What the hell? Where am I? Fractured memories of last night came flooding back to me. Going to the bar, Leah and Angie abandoning me, Luke flirting and apparently attempting to spike my drink, those two guys saving me and beating the shit out of Luke. Oh my god, I thought, that’s embarrassing. I was drunk off my ass. And now I would be willing to bet that this strange place I’m in is their house, and I’m going to have to sneak out so they don’t see me disgusting and hungover and embarrassed. What if something else happened after I blacked out last night? Shit. I sat up quickly, then instantly laid back down. If I moved at all, I was definitely going to throw up.

I slowly turned my head to the side and grabbed my phone. They had plugged it in to one of their chargers, at least. I had a few notifications, none of them important. And zero texts from either Leah or Angie. Fuck them. I couldn’t believe they left me, drunk and alone, when we planned to spend the night out together. Not to mention the fact that I rode with them in the Uber there and that they knew I didn’t have an apartment key right now.

Next to where my phone had been lying, there was a folded piece of paper. I grabbed it, not sure if it was even meant for me, and opened it up. In scrawled handwriting, there was a note:

Serena,

You were not in a state to be left alone last night, and you admitted to not having a key to your apartment. We brought you here because this was the safest option. You’re free to stay and shower (down the hall, first door on the left, towels in the cabinet), or you can leave if you’d like. There’s a glass of water and some aspirin on the table if you need it. Also, no need to sneak out; The door is straight down the stairs and nobody will bother you here. If you need a ride, I can bring you back. We’ll be downstairs if you need anything.

-Damien

Well, I suppose I’m lucky to be alive and in one piece considering I let two total strangers take me back to their place. I gingerly pushed myself up and grabbed the aspirin bottle off the side table, shaking out two and washing them down with a big gulp of water. My phone showed that it was still morning, around 10 a.m., and I had two options: call an Uber or someone to pick me up while trying not to vomit (unlikely that I would make it that far, especially in a moving vehicle) or go back to sleep. I decided upon the latter. After all, this was one of the most comfortable beds I had ever been in, and the down feather comforter felt like wrapping myself in a cloud. I’d just rest for a bit longer. . .

When I woke up for the second time, it was due to an incredible smell that was filling the air. I could make out the smell of garlic among everything else, and my mouth watered. Shit, what time was it? I grabbed my phone, feeling much better than I had earlier, and read the time. 4:00 p.m. Holy shit, did I sleep all day?

Guess it was time to plan my escape and avoid any human contact. I’d order an Uber after I walked down the street a ways so I wouldn’t have to wait in or in front of the house. Leah would have to be home right now. I’d call her on my way back to make sure.

I stood up, looking around the room at my surroundings. This had to be some sort of guest bedroom, as it was devoid of personal belongings and seemed to have a slight formality and newness to it. At least I wasn’t taking up anyone’s space. I would have felt much worse if this were someone’s bed. Tiptoeing across the carpeted floor, I opened the door and peeked out into the hallway, then dashed to the bathroom down the hall. I was glad Damien had included that information in the note.

In the restroom, I splashed my face with water and made an attempt to straighten the hairs that were sticking out wildly in all directions. I wished I had a toothbrush. I felt gross, not having had a shower for over twenty-four hours. Not to mention I was still wearing my skimpy dress and makeup from last night.

After doing my best to look semi-presentable, I took my phone and crept down the stairs. I could hear rock music echoing from a room somewhere downstairs. But as I was about to run out the door, something in my mind stopped me. As much as I wanted to get home and avoid embarrassment, I should probably thank them for last night. They did save me from who-knows-what with that asshole Luke, after all.

I turned and followed the music. When I entered the kitchen, I was surprised to see both Damien and Alex there cooking. Alex stirred something on the stove and Damien cut up a loaf of bread. At my entrance, Damien looked up from the bread he was cutting, his broad shoulders looking comically large over the small kitchen island, and grinned. “Hey, look who’s alive!” he joked.

Alex turned his head to meet my eyes and gave a quick nod of acknowledgment.

“Hey, uh, I just wanted to say thanks again for last night.” I said. It was hard to keep my eyes off of Damien, who was wearing a black tank top that displayed his sculpted muscles and veiny forearms covered in tattoos, and that his wavy brown hair was tied back into a ponytail, which somehow made him look even sexier.

“Oh, it’s no problem. Hopefully you’ve slept off most of the hangover by now. That little dude at the bar was an ass and got what was coming to him. Hey,” he added, “wanna have some food with us? We’ll have extras.”

I really wanted to get home, if only to take a shower. “Oh, I don’t think so, but thanks,” I replied. “I should get back to my apartment soon. My roommate is probably worried.” That was a lie, but he didn’t need to know that.

“That’s not what it seemed like last night.” Damien’s face darkened slightly. “You told us that she basically abandoned you while you were drunk for some random guys.” I silently cursed my drunk self. I must have been really far gone last night, because I didn’t remember talking about that at all.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. What are you making, by the way? It smells incredible.”

“Alex is cooking some spaghetti with chicken Parmesan, and I’m in charge of the garlic bread.” Damien grinned, comically proud of his small contribution. “He’s the better cook. But like I said, we made some extra in case you decided to hang out here for a while.”

The smell of the food and the added double-dose of eye candy was enough to make me want to stay. Plus, I secretly hoped that Leah would realize I hadn’t been home since she left me last night and get worried. Maybe that was childish, for me to hope she worried about me, but I didn’t care. She should at least feel a little guilty. I shrugged. “Guess I can stay for a little bit longer.”

“Awesome.” He grinned again.

I gave him a quizzical look. “You seem very excited to have me around for not knowing me at all.” As much as I hated to admit it, his excitement for me to stay gave me butterflies in my stomach.

“Sorry. I mean, I’m very glad you can grace us with your presence for a bit longer, Serena,” Damien said with a sarcastic, over-exaggerated formality.

I snorted and rolled my eyes, but my amusement was quickly replaced with worry. Did something happen last night between me and them? That would explain why he wanted me to stick around a bit longer . . . “But really,” I said, “You’ve only spent the last ten minutes with me as a somewhat functional, sober person. I can’t imagine I was much fun to be around last night.”

“I’d beg to differ,” he teased, raising his eyebrows. “In fact, it was pretty damn entertaining.” Alex snickered softly in the background, his shoulders shaking with a quiet laugh. Shit, what did I do last night that would make them both laugh at me like this? The possibilities were endless. I could just imagine the embarrassing, ridiculous sorts of things I could do when I was drunk. Did they take me inside while I acted like a drunk fool and confessed my deepest secrets to them? What if they had tried to have sex with me and I threw up on them while I was blacked out? That sounds like something that would happen to me. I had woken up still in my dress, but that didn’t necessarily mean nothing happened. My face felt warm and I hoped they couldn’t see the heat that was undoubtedly creeping into my cheeks.

“Ummm, how was it entertaining?” I asked, trying to maintain a cool facade and keep my thoughts from spiraling any further.

“I can only assume you don’t remember, considering the state you were in. It might be better if you just don’t ask,” he said nonchalantly, tossing the bread, which he had covered in butter and garlic, into the oven. My heart jumped wildly in my chest.

“Damn it, just tell me.” I sat on the barstool across the island from Damien and looked up at him expectantly. He casually rubbed his hand under his chin, scratching at his dark beard. I made an effort not to stare. This man looked like a damn Greek God, and here I was, coated in dried sweat and alcohol from over twelve hours ago.