MY BROTHER'S BESTFRIEND

Chapter 4: Is he... Jealous?

Chapter 4 - Is he... Jealous?

Valerie's Point of view.

I wake up to a pounding headache, my body heavy and warm under the blankets. I try to move, but something - or someone - is holding me in place. My cheek is pressed against something hard, my legs tangled with another pair, and there's and arm wrapped around me, holding me close. 

I freeze. 

Slowly, I open my eyes, and my heart skips a beat. I'm not alone. Jake's lying next to me, his chest rising and falling steadily beneath my head, his arm laid over my waist. Jake. Mason's best friend. What the hell?

I blink, trying to make sense of the situation. I remember the party, Alec kissing me, and Jake pulling me out of the crowd - but I don't remember this. How did we end up like this?

A small part of me - a stupid part of me - doesn't even mind. Lying here, wrapped up in Jake's warmth, feels oddly... comfortable. Like it's exactly where I'm supposed to be. But that thought sends a surge of panic through me, and I carefully start to pull away from him. 

Before I can fully escape, there's a knock on my door. 

"Val? You awake?" Vik's voice calls through the door, loud. "I brought coffee! Let me in." 

My eyes widen in panic. I can't let her see Jake here. I nudge him urgently, and his eyes slowly blink open. It takes him a second to realize where he is, and when he does, he looks just as panicked as I feel. 

"What the-" he starts to say, his voice low and hoarse, but I cut him off in a whisper.

"Hide! Get in the closet. Now!" 

"What? Why?" 

"There's no time. Hide!" 

Jake hesitates, confused, but when Vik knocks again, he scrambles out of my bed. I point to the closet, and without another word, he ducks inside. 

I would laugh if it was a funny situation. But instead I straighten out my clothes quickly, running a hand through my hair, and rush to open the door. 

Vik is standing there with two cups of coffee, her eyebrows raised. "Finally. You look like you just crawled out of bed." 

"You have no idea," I mumble, my heart still pounding from the close call. I step aside to let her in, praying that Jake stays quiet in the closet. 

Vik hands me a cup of coffee, then plops down on my bed like she owns the place. "So, spill. What happened last night? I didn't see you after a while. You disappeared after that kiss with... what was his name again?"

"Alec," I say, feeling the heat rise to my face. I glance nervously at the closet door, hoping to God Jake can't hear us. 

Vik takes a sip of her coffee, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. "Yeah, Alec. So, how was it," she leans closer to me, "was he a good kisser?" 

I force a laugh, trying to act casual. "Uh, yeah, he was... fine, I guess."

"Just fine?" Vik raises an eyebrow, smirking. "Come on, Val, are you lying to me? Was he shit at kissing, is that what you're trying to tell me?" She shrugs. "He seemed cute enough, tho." 

"Vik! No." My heart races. I can't exactly tell her the truth - not with Jake hiding in the closet, probably hearing every word. "No. He was good. Well, he was fine. It's not anything special." 

She frowns, disappointed. "That sucks. He looked decent from afar. Guess his face was the only fine thing," she says winking. 

I roll my eyes as she laughs at her own joke.