City to Sticks

Chapter Eight

8—Jake P.O.V.

I squinted as I tried to open my eyes, but the morning light was shining through the window, right into my face. God that hurt. Come to think of it, my whole body hurt, but my head hurt the worst. What the hell? Had I been beaten up? No, I suddenly remembered that I'd had the not-so-bright idea to try to drown my feelings for Holly. I'd consumed more alcohol than I should have and now I would pay for it today, I thought as I rolled over and buried my face in my pillow. It didn't smell like my pillow though, I suddenly realized. It smelled like...Holly.

I bolted to a sitting position, which caused my whole world to spin out of control and I clutched my head in agony. When the hammers in my head calmed down, I tentatively opened my eyes again and began to freak out. Where the hell was I? I scrambled from the bed and looked out the window, seeing Hal and Hessie's barn. My eyes widened and I looked around again. Holy hell, I was in Holly's room. I looked down to find that I was still fully clothed. Even so, if Hessie found me in Holly's room, I'd be toast. So I grabbed my boots and tip-toed my way out of the house. I scrambled into my truck and sped out of the driveway in a quick hurry.

At home, I went straight to the bathroom, where I striped down and took a shower. After, I scrubbed the fur off my teeth and then got dressed before heading for the kitchen, where my mother was washing dishes. She glared at me, "Did you not come home last night?"

I looked at my feet, "No ma'am. I'm sorry."

"Where did you spend the night? Do we need to have the sex talk?" Mom asked, making me blush.

I might be eighteen years old, but talking about this kind of stuff with my mother was embarrassing. "No, mom, nothing happened last night. I spent the night at Hal and Hessie's."

Mom's eyes widened, "In the same bed or a different bed as their granddaughter?"

"Mom!" I said exasperated, but she just gave me the look that clearly said she would fillet me alive if I didn't answer, so I sighed and said, "Honestly, I'm not sure where Holly slept, but I woke up in her bed this morning."

"What do you mean, you're not sure?"

I rubbed the back of my neck and admitted, "I might have gotten a little drunk last night. I know you don't approve of underage drinking, so spare me the lecture. My pounding head this morning is punishment enough. I just...Holly has me so messed up and I wanted to drown my sorrows I guess."

Mom sighed, "You've really got it bad for this girl, don't you?"

I nodded, "Yes, ma'am."

"So what did you do after waking up in her bed? I hope you thanked her, because it sounds like that dear girl probably took care of your stupid butt last night." Mom stated.

My eyes widened, "Um, I kind of tore out of there, like a bat-out-of-hell. I was afraid that Hessie would catch me in Holly's bed and I freaked out."

Mom glared, "You get your butt back over there and thank that girl. Besides, you've got your chores to do over there."

"Yes, ma'am." I muttered, embarrassed, but mom kissed my forehead. Then she handed me a bottle of water and a couple muffins, on my way out the door. It didn't take me long to get back over there and I wondered where Holly was.

Hessie suddenly approached me and asked, "What are you doing back? Aren't your chores done?"

"Um...no, I have a couple things to finish up." I tell her, completely confused. What did she mean my chores were done? I hadn't even started on the cows and today I was scheduled to clean out the barn stalls. They were a mess.