Glass Jaw

Chapter 9

"Go away," I mumbled as something grabbed my ankle and shook. I kicked, making contact with whatever monster was trying to wake me up at this ungodly hour. I wasn't going to open my eyes and figure out exactly what time that was, but I could feel that it was too early.

"For fuck sakes," someone growled in pain and shook my ankle again.

"What," I snapped as I lifted my head and opened my eyes. It took a few blinks for the room to come into clarity and even then it was hard to focus. My brain felt swollen inside my skull as it pushed at every corner in hopes of bursting free.

"Ow," I whined and held my head, closing my eyes again to the cruel world that would wake me up like this.

"Ryan," someone snapped and this time I recognized the voice.

"Landon?" I squeaked and opened my eyes again.

Landon stood at the foot of the bed, stiff and uncomfortable as he stared intently at the ceiling. I was confused for a moment as I looked around for the culprit.

Jackson laid next to me, flat on his back with one arm under my pillow and the other cast across Jules' stomach. My body was curled toward him, dishevelled and twisted which made me think I was kicking a lot last night. The blanket pushed to the end of the mattress confirmed that theory.

My cheeks heated with embarrassment when I realized my t-shirt was twisted around my torso, revealing not only my tummy but how awful these shorts fit. Shorts that had ridden so far up my butt that I might as well be in one of those cheeky bikini bottoms.

"Sorry," I said as I pulled the blanket across my lap.

Landon kept his eyes on the ceiling as he dug his hands into his pockets and said, "You ready?"

"For...?"

"Do you not want to do the project anymore?" he asked, sounding as though he hoped my answer was yes.

"I... yes. I do, I mean. I just didn't realize you'd want to do it so early," I whispered, not wanting to wake up Jules or Jackson.

"It's ten," was Landon's only response before he turned and left the room.

I dropped back onto the pillow with a groan and covered my hands over my eyes. Did I really want to spend my first hangover trying to get along with Landon? I contemplated staying in bed and letting him figure out on his own that I wasn't coming, but common sense won out. I had to take advantage of whatever spell Landon was under and hopefully, we could finish the project before it broke.

I shook Jackson lightly and laughed when he smacked his mouth and let out a grunting snore.

"Jackson," I whispered, "Where can I find things to clean up?"

"Under sink," he mumbled before turning over and burying his face under Jules' pillow.

I snuck across the hall to the bathroom and took inventory of what I'd need. I found an unused toothbrush under the sink as well as makeup wipes and toothpaste. I used them quickly but still didn't feel clean enough when I was done.

Fairly certain that Jules' wouldn't mind, I decided to quickly use her products in the shower. My tight muscles relaxed as I stepped under the hot little bullets of water. A soft sigh escaped my lips as I stretched and embraced the feeling of almost being human again. I used the smallest droplet of Jules' products in case they were expensive and savoured the fresh smell of coconut and lilies.

When I was done, I wrapped a towel around myself and stared disappointedly at the crumple of clothes on the floor. I should have packed my own stuff but never in a million years had I expected to be invited over for a sleepover.