Addicted

Chapter 2: Shame

Shane awoke to a rooster crow, with an abnormally large migraine and a heavy feeling. He was in a sitting position on an unfamiliar couch in an unfamiliar house. Shane confusedly looked around the room for clues to his whereabouts. After a moment, Shane felt movement on his chest and looked down to see a stirring Maree. Her blue eyes, half lidded, looking up at his face.  While becoming more aware of his surroundings, Shane realized that he was not only wearing his shirt backwards, but his underwear was missing. His blue hoodie was on the coat rack by the front door, which caught his attention being the only thing blue amongst all of the black and grey decor. 

For a moment, he contemplated closing his eyes and going back to sleep. Maree felt warm against him, her hand under his shirt on his bare chest, and her body pressed against his side. Her fingers left trails of heat on his chest as she pulled away with a yawn. "Good morning, Rooster," Maree said, her voice soothing and sweet. "How'd you sleep?" She stood to stretch, revealing that she was only wearing an oversized grey teeshirt and white panties. 

Shane blinked for a moment, trying to comprehend the vision in front of him. "Morning, Chick." He groaned, then rubbed his face, still blinking hard as if he were trying to wake up from a dream. "I, uh, I slept fine." The inflection of his voice made it sound as if he were asking her a question. Maree rounded the couch they were on, going through the doorway behind Shane. Shane made his way to the front door and pulled on his boots, then adjusted his shirt before pulling on his hoodie. He opened the front door to be greeted by the last of autumn's morning air and zipped up his hoodie. 

As Shane's feet touched the bottom step of Maree's front porch, he felt his heartbeat quicken at the thought of breaking Maree's heart by leaving after a night like they had. He rationed that his aunt and Goddaughter were probably expecting him home last night, and that didn't happen. Walking across Maree's farmland, making his way towards his Aunts ranch, feeling more and more guilty with each step. By the time Maree opened her front door to look for Shane, all she could see was his blue hoodie disappearing in the tree line at the edge of her property. 

As Shane came through the Ranch house door, he was greeted by Jas's piercing laughter. Shane covered his ears and made his way through the front hall and into the kitchen where Marnie stood covered in egg and Jas sat at the kitchen table watching in hysterics. Shane couldn't help but laugh himself at the sight of his aunt such a mess. "Oh, Shane," said Marnie, wiping her face off. "I thought you and the farmer would be sleeping in today. You both had plenty to drink last night." Marnie looked at Shane with a large smile. "We have been expecting you to make a move on her for a while now. She's just so lovely, and her work has saved the Ranch many times." 

Shane frowned at his aunt, knowing she meant well, but this probably wasn't the right time. He may or may not have ruined things with his best friend because he couldn't hold his liquor like he used to. "Well I'm home now, so if that tells you anything."

"Oh, Yoba. What time is it? 7? Did things not go well this morning?" Marnie asked, showing a concern not only for her nephew but the neighboring farmer. 

"Ill let you know if we ever talk again. I kinda just left without saying goodbye." Shane scratched the back of his head, frowning at himself. "I panicked, Marnie. I woke up and I don't remember last night. I could've been a total dick to her last night and she only said good morning to me out of pity. Marnie, I'm freaking out!" Shane shouted, not realizing the amount of panic he was letting out in his voice. 

"It's alright, son. Ms. Burnt is one of the kindest and most understanding people I know. And from what I saw last night, she made a move first." Marnie clapped her hand on Shane's shoulder and gave him a small squeeze. "Can we try to have an optimistic outlook, huh?" Marnie was always so kind to Shane, helping him to raise Jas, letting him stay in her spare room, and raise his chickens in her coop.