Best Friend's Brother

Chapter Five

My alarm woke me up in time for me to get ready for work but it was so faint I wasn't sure I was hearing it at all. I stretched and yawned, blinking the sleep out of my eyes.

I swung my legs out of the bed and was instantly aware of the pounding in my head. I groaned and rubbed a hand over my face, distinctly aware of the fact that I wasn't wearing any clothing.

I scooped up the first piece of clothing I found – the shirt that Matt was wearing last night – and put it on. I scooped my dress up off the ground and snuck out of the room.

I made it into my room and turned the alarm off right before running into the bathroom to throw up. Maybe drinking so much wasn't such a good idea on a work night.

I quickly hopped in the shower and washed my hair to get all the grime from last night out of it. Once the shower was done I towel dried my hair and got dressed in a black pencil skirt and a white blouse because it didn't take any thought and my head hurt too much to think.

I folded Matt's shirt and brought it downstairs with me, throwing it onto the floor in his room as I walked past.

I walked down to the kitchen and grabbed two glasses. Once they were filled with water I downed the one and refilled it to sip while I brought the other glass to Matt.

I knocked on his open door and he moved around on the bed. "Hmm?"

I walked into the room and held out the glass of water. "It'll help with the hangover."

He sat up and rubbed his eyes. "What time is it?"

"About quarter to seven. I have to go to work soon so I thought I'd say bye before I left. And bring you some water so your hangover isn't too horrible."

He looked at the bed beside him then to his clothes on the floor. He seemed confused about what he saw and I wasn't about to clear things up for him. His eyes fell on me and I felt my cheeks heat up. He cocked his head to the side and then looked back at the bed. "Ah, did anything happen last night?"

I lifted the glass of water to reclaim his attention and he mumbled his thanks as he took it. His hangover helped me distract him in this simple way and draw his attention away from the question I didn't have the mind to answer yet. It was still all too fresh.

"Anyways, I have to go in order to get the manuscript in on time so tell Whit I say hi when you see her later."

I scurried out of the room before he could repeat his question. I made it as far as the hallway before I leaned against the wall and closed my eyes. There was no way I'd be able to tell my best friend that I just slept with her little brother.

I took a deep breath and continued down the hall to where I'd left my work stuff. Picking up my purse I checked to make sure I had my phone and the manuscript. Once I knew for sure I had both I left the house leaving my spare house key and a note taped to the back of the door.

The drive to work was uneventful. I spent the whole time thinking back to the previous night and wondering if we had used protection. I couldn't remember if we had but I was praying we weren't that stupid. It would be hard enough for me to talk to Whitney without explaining to her how stupid I'd been.

I was passing Hilary on my way to Jones' office when my phone rang. "Hello?"

"Claire?"

I heard the note of panic in Matt's voice and wondered what was wrong. "What's up?"

"Why's there blood in my bed?"

I froze just inside Jones' empty office.

"Claire? Are you still there?"