Sober

Ch. 14

Nick and I wake up late into the afternoon, sprawled out on the bed. I peck him on the cheek before wandering out of my room, still half asleep as I walk to the counter and start eating some chips with some of the food that Deja cooked.

Deja.

I glance over and see her sitting on the couch. She looks me over, and I blush as I stand there in my underwear, but then she goes back to watching TV.

"H-Hey," I mutter.

"Hey." She says flatly.

I can't come up with what to say, so I turn away and keep stuffing my face with food. Eventually, Nick leaves the room, his hair sticking up all over the place as he walks over to me, only wearing that extra-large t-shirt and his boxers.

He's covered in hickies from his neck down to his thighs that contrast greatly with his skin tone. Due to the current environment, it's more embarrassing than it is hot to me.

Deja looks at him, raises an eyebrow, and continues ignoring us.

"You say anything yet?" He whispers to me.

"N-No," I say sadly and hand him the bag of chips.

"Let me talk to her." He eats a handful before walking towards her, but I grab him.

"At least put some pants on," I say and chuckle.

"I can say the same to you. This is probably making her even more suspicious—I'm assuming you were dressed when she saw you last night."

I snicker as Nick closes the bag. He goes back into our bedroom and luckily comes back with some more clothes on.

He then cracks his knuckles, taking a deep breath as he walks over to my roommate. I watch from afar, and oddly enough, she doesn't give him any shit.

"Hey, um, can I talk to you?"

She smiles at him as he sits beside her. "Yeah, what's up?"

Nick adjusts his shirt. "So...Kyler told me about last night, and it's seriously a misunderstanding. I know you don't really wanna talk to him, but nothing happened—I promise."

Deja looks off to the side.

"And he didn't tell me to say this! I just...I don't want you to get any bad ideas about him or me or anything that's gone on."

"So, he didn't take advantage of you?"

Nick shakes his head.

"But you have like three hickies right there."

He jumps. "I—! It's not—" He proceeds to trip over his words and then takes a deep breath. "That's not from last night," He mutters and covers his neck.

Deja still looks suspicious, and I can see that Nick's ears are red. "That's not important right now," He goes on. "I got in another fight with Zeke, and he got me really drunk, and...then Kyler beat the shit out of him."

"A-Again?! Wait—"

Nick stands up. "Don't be mad at him! Kyler practically saved my life, and then he took me here because I was sick and could barely walk, let me shower and just..." He smiles. "...made me feel loved for once."

I blush, but as Deja looks at me, I turn away.

"W...Wow."

She massages her temples. "I mean, that's nice and all—well, not the Zeke part! But while it's sweet what Kyler did for you and nice to know that he didn't ditch me to get laid, I still..." She trails off. "I just wish he would be honest with me!" Deja glares at me from across the room.