CHAPTER FOUR — STEPHANIE
As soon as we're on the bus, Brayden pulls a flask out of his backpack.
Oh, yeah, did I mention he brought a backpack on our date?
Still, I'm grateful for the chemical aid.
I take a generous swig, then two more. By the time we're at my stop, we're both giddy and light-headed.
I don't remember the last time I felt this happy or this blitzed.
It's basically the same thing, right? I feel like I'm walking on clouds as I make my way towards my front door.
That is, until I hit a rock and stumble.
He grips my forearm tightly, preventing my fall at the last second.
I should be thankful, but his grip is rough. I want his hands off of me.
"Brayden," I whisper. "Don't."
As I reach to grab his arm, the door swings open. I know who's behind the door a split second before I see his piercing blue eyes.
It's David.
And he does not look happy.
"What the hell is going on here?" he asks.
He's wearing gray sweatpants and no shirt. He has a four-pack, and I breathe in slightly as my eyes rest on his chest for one split second.
I force myself to look into his eyes.
"Oh, sorry, we—"
"Hey, are you the guy?" Brayden blurts out.
"Brayden," I hiss. "Come on."
David looks at Brayden, and Brayden keeps talking.
"You know, the jackass landlord?" he asks, laughing.
"Brayden," I hiss again.
I grab his arm to pull him away, but David grabs my arm, stopping me.
My skin where he touched me feels like it's on fire. He only holds his hand there for a second before releasing my arm. But I can still feel his fingerprints lingering.
"I am," David says, looking slowly from Brayden to me. "Why? What have you heard?"
"Oh, just that you're a real hard-ass," Brayden says, giggling.
"Brayden, that's enough," I say.
My entire face feels like it's on fire.
I grab his arm and drag him away. At the last second, I glance back at David. I try to force a half smile as an apology, but he looks stone-faced. It reminds me of the look my father would give me when I was in big trouble. My stomach drops.
I'm overthinking this. I mean, I'm sure it'll be fine in the morning, right?
I try to quell the rising feeling of panic in my chest as I lead Brayden into my room. But the more I think about it, the more I freak out.
Brayden practically drags me to my bed. I haven't even decided if I wanna do anything with him or just go to sleep.
But before I have time to process what just happened, Brayden's hands are all over me, like a dog pawing its owner. Brayden's hands feel grubby, like a middle schooler's, as they claw at my shirt buttons.
"Listen, Brayden, I don't know if I want to—" I say.
"Shh," he says, putting a hand to my lips. "It's okay."
I sigh. Fuck it, whatever. I don't even care at this point. I strip off my clothes until I'm just in my underwear.
"Holy shit," he says, looking at me. "You're a literal goddess."
I beam. It's the first time I've felt confident this entire evening.
"Your landlord is a real douche," Brayden says as he flops into my bed.
All of a sudden, it's like he's forgotten that he was trying to fuck me just two seconds ago. He's like a puppy with ADHD.
"Hey, you know what? Let's wake him up."
"Brayden, I really don't think—"
Before I can say anything, Brayden starts jumping on the bed, and each time he jumps up, he slams the ceiling.
"Brayden," I hiss. "It's—"
"Hey," Brayden yells. "I bet you're just jealo—"
I've decided I've reached my limit. I grab his arm and pull him down.
"You need to go," I say. "Now."
"But I just—"
"Out," I say. "Bye. Thanks for the date."
I grab Brayden's clothes and shove them at him, and then shove him out my door. I collapse into my bed. I close my eyes, and when I open them, the entire world is spinning.
Fuck, I'm gonna be so hungover tomorrow.
The thought that I should get some water flashes across my mind, but before I can act on it, I'm drifting off to sleep.
The End