Strip Game - A Whirlwind Summer

43. 𝐉𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐀 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄

♪✰❄︎𖤍❄︎✰♪

𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐒

My head was pounding.

I blinked against the sunlight bleeding through the curtains, groaning as I sat up slowly, the ache in my skull a harsh reminder of last night. I rubbed my temples, trying to steady my breathing as a dull nausea twisted in my stomach. The room was unfamiliar, but the tequila on my breath wasn't.

What happened last night?

I shifted on the bed, the sheets slipping off my chest-and that's when I noticed it. A second body. Curled beside me, half-hidden under the crumpled sheets.

Naked.

My heart stopped for a second before accelerating into a full-blown panic. I turned my head, hoping, begging, to be wrong.

But there she was.

Ashley.

Completely unclothed, hair fanned across the pillow like she'd been here all night. Peaceful. As if nothing was wrong. As if this was normal.

My mouth went dry.

No. No. No. What the actual hell did I do?

I staggered off the bed, heart racing, struggling to pull my jeans on with trembling hands. My shirt was on the floor near the door, my jacket tossed over a chair. I didn't remember coming here. Didn't remember drinking this much. I barely remembered Luna.

Luna.

The kiss.

The tequila. The balcony. Her lips.

And then-blank.

My fists clenched at my sides as shame washed over me like cold water. I glanced back at the bed. Ashley shifted slightly, moaning softly in her sleep and pulling the covers tighter around herself.

God.

What had I done?

A groggy sound broke the silence behind me.

I didn't turn around.

"Travis?" Ashley's voice was soft, thick with sleep and confusion. "Last night was...." She turn her head swiftly, not finishing the words.

I squeezed my eyes shut, jaw tightening.

Please don't.

"We-?" she started, the sheets rustling as she sat up.

I turned sharply, cutting her off before she could say another word.

"Don't," I said flatly.

Her mouth opened slightly, confused.

"Whatever you think happened," I said, grabbing my shirt and dragging it over my head, "It was a mistake. I was drunk. Out of my mind. I didn't know what I was doing."

She blinked at me.

"I'm not in love with you. I don't feel anything. It was just... a stupid, meaningless nightstand."

Ashley's face flickered, something raw passing through her expression, but I didn't let it register. I didn't want to see it.

"And you will not tell anyone," I added harshly, buttoning my jeans with trembling hands. "Especially not Luna."

She looked like she wanted to say something, maybe ask why, or defend herself, or cry. But I didn't give her the chance.

"This never happened," I snapped. "You hear me? You don't speak about it. You don't hint at it. You bury it."