Compromise-Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw-

Chapter Sixteen

I woke, though feared opening my eyes. The ringing in my ears and the thumping in my head was the first sign I was hungover. The next was the foul taste in my mouth from the nights drinks, then the curling in my stomach. I let out a soft groan, feeling my body overheating from the thick blanket I seemed to be in.

With my eyes still closed, I slowly peeled the blanket off, nervous if I move too fast or much, that I'd puke. With a deep inhale, I started to open my eyes. I groaned again, as the light in the room momentarily blinded me. I squeezed my eyes shut, before trying again, until I could open my eyes. The light in the room was coming from the left side of the room. Glancing over I seen black shutter blinds cracked open slightly, preventing the true intensity of outside in.

My eye brows furrowed as I quickly realized I didn't recognized where I was. The room was a soft grey colour, except for the wall the bed was against, which was a bit dark, acting as an accent wall. The bedding was mostly different shades of grey as well, pillows were scattered on the bed and the floor. The sheets and blanket beside me indicated someone had been sleeping with me.

I wracked my brain for memories of the night before, but a lot of it was a blur or just nonexistent. After a minute, some started to come back. I remembered meeting Kelly, and my harsh interaction with her at the beginning of the night. I remembered flirting with Hangman...

Oh no.

Once I remembered accepting a drink from him, a nights worth of flirting came rushing back. I remembered dancing with him, talking, laughing and drinking. I could vaguely remember sitting on his lap at one of the tables with our friends. Though it was blurry and then my memory started to fade. I'd blacked out. 32 years old and I was still blacking out to drown my troubles.

My heart raced quickly, as I sat up, though too fast. I closed my eyes as the room spun from the sudden movement. Once I settled, I opened them again, and looked down at my body. I was in clothes, though not as many clothes as I would want. I had a large white tee shirt on, clearly not mine, and only my underwear on my bottom half. I swung my feet off the side of the bed and looked on the floor, finding my shorts, bra and shirts folded on the bedside table. I grabbed my shorts, slipping them on.

With a pounding head, I grabbed my bra and shirts, before stepping away from the bed. There was three doors in the room. One lead out of the room, one I imagined was the closet and the last I assumed was an ensuite. He must have been in the ensuite, which is why I woke up alone. With my stuff, I walked over to the door that made the most logical sense to be the main one, and opened it. I had been right. It lead into a hall, which lead to a set of stairs. I quietly walked down the hall and crept down the stairs.

Mentally I cursed myself for my drinking. What had I been thinking?! Well I actually knew the answer to that. I had been upset with Rooster, with Kelly, but mostly myself. I shouldn't have been so rude to Kelly, maybe she had a better reason for being such a bitch. I wasn't sure. I found the door, which wasn't too far from the stairs, and started to slip on my shoes.

"Didn't realize you were a runner." His voice said behind me with a chuckle, making me freeze. I slowly lowered my foot, and straightened up. With one shoe on, my bra and shirts awkwardly in my hands and likely crazy hair, I turned around with wide, awkward eyes. My gaze met his, likely full of shock. He had an amused smile on his lips, as he looked me up and down.

"R-Rooster?" I barely managed to say. His smile only grew, and he chuckled again.

"I take it you don't remember much from last night." He stated. I pressed my lips together, then shook my head, which I regretted right away. I winced from the pounding pain in my head.

"I figured you probably wouldn't. Come on, I'll make you some breakfast." He said. "Unless you really want to leave." He added unsure. I did, though not because I wanted to be away from him, but because I was embarrassed. However, the curiosity was eating away at me. What the hell happened? And how did I end up in this house with Rooster?