worth the risk • dean portman

chapter three

morgan

I don't want to wake up.

After the night I had, waking up is the last thing I want to do right now.

Championship celebration parties are my favorite, because everyone goes crazy at them. And if you're on the team that won the championship? Forget it. You're usually in another universe by the time the night is over.

Without further ado, let me give you the rundown of last night.

We got to Aaliyah's house around six, and had her mom take some pictures of us. The guys showed up an hour later, and the party officially started at eight. After hanging out and having some drinks, everyone started to disappear. Ella and Adam disappeared first, but that's not a shock. Those two can't keep their hands off each other as it is, and it's even worse when they're drunk. Sadie and Charlie disappeared for a bit, but they weren't gone as long as everyone else. Addison disappeared with Luis, and I can't deny that I'm a bit disappointed. Soon enough, it was me and Dean who disappeared, and it was nice to be alone with him for a while. We all eventually ended up back at Sadie's house, and the last thing I remember is passing out on the couch in her basement.

The universe has decided to bless me with a miracle, because I'm somehow able to function as I sit up and get my vision to focus. I'm even more shocked to notice that my head is barely hurting. I guess I'm able to handle my drinks better than I thought.

I text my mom to come get me, freshening myself up while I wait. I pull my hair back into a bun, splash some water on my face, and brush my teeth using the toothbrush Sadie keeps for me here.

I feel a slight wave of nerves as I walk into my house after picking up the rest of my things from the dorm. The Kennedys aren't coming until this afternoon, but I just can't stomach the idea of seeing Jake. He's been obsessed with me since we were kids and doesn't seem to get the hint that I'm not interested.

Even worse, my dad is just as obsessed with him as he is with me. He doesn't even know about my relationship with Dean, because I know that he'd lose his mind if he saw him. My mom is the only person in my family that knows, and I plan on keeping it that way for a while.

It's not like I don't want to tell my dad, but he's wanted me to marry Jake since I was born. I mean, the guy's disgustingly attractive, smarter than anyone I know, and has been in love with me since I can remember. Plus, us getting married would benefit both of our dads, because the corporation that they co-own would turn into some superpower family business.

Unfortunately for my dad, I have no interest in ever becoming anything with Jake. He's a good kid, but I'm fully and ridiculously in love with Dean. Besides, Jake is going to college next year and I'll be a senior. Too many boxes checked on my "no" list.

If you're wondering why the Kennedys are coming, it's because they have a house here that they use for a few months of the year. They always come down around Thanksgiving and leave just before spring break. Jake does online school for the time he's here, and he's always gone by the time lacrosse season starts. I guess being the captain of his fancy prep school team means a lot to him.

Their house is actually across the street from mine, because our two houses basically take up the entirety of the end of my street. My street ends in a little circle area, and our houses are the only two that are down here.

I decide to take a bath to de-stress, because I'm going to need a clear mind to deal with Jake, especially when I'm hungover. I add my favorite soap into the water to make it a bubble bath, smiling to myself as I watch the bubbles form. A good bubble bath never fails to make me relax.

When the water is hot enough and the bubbles are about to overflow, I get into the bath. I close my eyes and replay my favorite parts of last night, because it'll be the last moments of peace I have for a while. Before I know it, an hour has passed and my parents are calling out to me that they're leaving for the airport. I don't know why they're leaving so early, but at least it gives me more time to freak out without any interruption.

Once I'm all dried off, I twist my hair into a towel and throw on a loose black cropped t-shirt with some gray sweatpants. I'm not bothering to dress up, even though we're going out to dinner with them tonight. I want as little of Jake's attention on me as possible.

I brush and braid my hair once it's dry, and finish off my after-bath routine by doing my skincare. Since I have a while before my parents get home with the Kennedys, I Facetime Dean to distract myself.

"Hey pretty girl." he says with a smile as he answers the call. "What's up?"

"My family friends are coming today, and I don't want to see them." I answer with a frown, and Dean's face falls deep into thought.

"Is that the family of the guy who you say is obsessed with you?"

I nod and let out a sigh. "Yup. He still thinks that we're going to end up together one way or another."

Dean snorts as he adjusts the camera so I can see him. "Tell him to keep on dreaming babe. We both know that we're forever."

I can't help but blush, but that quickly goes away when it registers where he is. "Dean, are you talking to me while you're driving?"

"Sure am."

"Are you kidding? You're such an idiot!" I yell, rubbing my hands on my forehead. "Hang up the phone and pay attention. I can't have my boyfriend dying on me!"

His response is laughter, but he's finally able to talk after a few seconds. "Oh relax babe, I'm fine. But as you wish, I'll hang up. Love you!"

The call ends, and I can't decide if I want to laugh at him for being so cute or punch him for being such an idiot. Doesn't everyone know that you're never supposed to Facetime someone while driving?

Apparently everyone but Dean.

I don't have much else to do, so I decide that the next best thing to do is to sleep. It ends up working, because I'm being woken up by loud knocking coming from the front door. That and the thirty missed texts and calls from my parents.

I yawn and stretch as I walk downstairs, then take a deep breath as I unlock the door. It's fine. Everything's fine. He's just a family friend.

Of course, Jake is standing at the front of the group. He immediately steps forward and wraps his arms around me, pulling me close to him. "Hey Morg. I missed you."

I hug him back, but only because mine and his parents are standing right there watching us. "Hi Jake. Missed you too."

"Morgan, it's been forever!" Mrs. Kennedy chirps as she basically shoves Jake off of me and gives me the tightest hug I think I've ever experienced.

"Good to see you Mrs. K!" I say as enthusiastically as I can, because again, my parents are standing right there.

"What have I always told you about calling me Mrs. K?" she asks in a teasing tone as she reaches forward and twirls a strand of my hair. "Dave, Vanessa, she's gorgeous! I mean, she always has been, but look at her now! She's stunning!"

I smile politely and send a "help me" glance to my mother, who seems to get the message. "Morgan, why don't you go show Jake the changes we made to the basement? I think he'll like them, considering the boys do."

I nod and flash a smile at everyone. "Great idea Mom! Excuse us."

I start sprinting towards the basement, not even bothering to look back and see if Jake is following me or not. I just need to get away from them.

Soon enough, I hear Jake's deep voice from behind me. "Wow, I like it."

"I'm glad." I respond tightly, turning around to walk back up the stairs.

"Morgan, wait." he calls out as I'm halfway up the stairs.

I turn back around, my patience wearing thin. "What?"

Jake swallows nervously and looks up at me sheepishly. "About the boys your mom mentioned before, are any of them your boyfriend?"

And before I can stop myself, I'm saying...

"Yes."