Betrayal

Chapter 17

Ali

I have a hangover.

My head is aching and my stomach is upset. I lie on my back and take deep breaths. I don't want to throw up. My mouth is dry and tastes vaguely of the alcohol I drank last night. I look to my left and see that Dominic's fast asleep beside of me.

I piece things together after what happened with Warren and I. He sent me into the house first. I showered, brushed my teeth, and nearly passed out in bed from exhaustion. At some point Dominic came in. He asked me why I didn't come back to the bonfire. I can't remember what I said, I was half asleep.

I can't believe I cried in front of him. It must've been the alcohol. It still embarrasses me. I wasn't in my right state of mind and lost my head the same way I did at the hotel. But I'm glad I apologized to him. It makes me feel as if there's a weight off my shoulders.

The walk to the bathroom makes me realize how sore my hips are. Even my insides feel sore. From him. Even thinking of it makes me shudder and become aroused.

I put on a t shirt and a pair of Dominic's boxer shorts, pull my hair up, and brush my teeth. After I wash my face I stand in the doorway of the bathroom and stare at Dominic while he sleeps. I think he wanted to have sex last night, he tried to, but I didn't let him. It makes me feel guilty.

Shouting breaks my attention from my thoughts. It's Warren. Dominic stirs and his eyes open, he sits up, and squints at me.

"Jesus, is that my dad? What is he yelling about?"

"I don't know," I say and hurry out of the room.

I look both ways down the hallway and Dominic is behind me, puts his hands on my shoulders, and then moves past me. I follow behind him. We stop at Lola's open bedroom door.

Warren and Lola are standing across the room from each other. He looks as if he's about to go for a run or he's just gotten back from a run. Rebecca is standing by the window that overlooks the ocean.

"This is ridiculous, dad. I'm eighteen. Who cares?"

"I care. It's my house," he says angrily. "You're bringing some random guy into my house? Fucking some guy in my house? I don't think so."

I peer around into the doorway and cover my mouth. The guy Lola was dancing with is standing by the bed, half dressed, and looks like he's afraid to move. Warren is red faced and points his finger at him.

"You. Get the fuck out of my house."

He doesn't hesitate and rushes past Lola, past Dominic and I, and practically sprints down the hallway and toward the stairs. I look back to Lola. She looks so upset but more than that, she looks angry.

"You're acting crazy, dad."

"I don't care. It's my house. My rules."

"Mom doesn't care. She hasn't even said a word."

He looks at Rebecca and motions a hand at her. It prompts her to clear her throat.

"She is eighteen, Warren. I don't think it's that big of a deal."

He scoffs.

"You don't care that she's bringing some guy she met on the beach last night into our house? She doesn't even know him. I don't know him. It's my fucking house!"

"It's our house," Rebecca says quietly. "Dominic's allowed to have Ali here. So maybe it's just..."

He's silent for a moment and clears his throat. My face begins to turn red.