Ace (Book 1)

Chapter 3. Busted

"Coffee or Tylenol?" A deep voice asked from behind me.

I didn't have to look up to know it was Ace. I sat at the kitchen island with my head in my hands. "Mm," I groaned. "Do you have to be so loud?"

Ace chuckled. "First hangover?"

Last night's events were still a blur. I couldn't see anything past the pain that was throbbing throughout my head. The sound of his chuckle made my stomach twist again. I had already puked twice.

"Yes," I murmured. I heard the faucet turn on.

"Here," Ace said.

I looked up through my tangled hair.

Ace had slid a cup to me and three Tylenol pills. "Don't drink that too fast and don't drink a lot of it, or you might puke," he said.

"I already have," I muttered. I took the glass and tossed the pills into my mouth. I sipped a little water to swallow the pills. It was hard not to drink much of it because my throat was so dry. "I'm never drinking again."

Ace laughed. "That's what they all say." He turned around and started making a pot of coffee. It was impossible not to notice that he was shirtless.

His back had more tattoos. Ace was covered in ink. It was hard to believe that such a gorgeous man would be standing in my cousin's kitchen. It felt like he didn't belong here but maybe somewhere in a book or a movie. Even through the ink that stained his skin, I could see the defined muscles in his back.

My gaze dropped; I didn't want to be caught staring at him. It was rude to stare at people. It was difficult not to stare at him, though. I was sure most girls had difficulties not looking at him. Once I was past how intimidating Ace looked, I realized how gorgeous he was. I was never the type to have a crush. Besides, I was nowhere near his type. I was sure his type was beautiful blond girls or something.

"Maybe you should eat something," Ace suggested.

"Why? To puke again?" I arched a brow.

Ace turned to face me as the coffee pot brewed behind him. "No, if you eat something to soak up some of the alcohol, you might feel better."

"Ugh, do you do this a lot?" I asked in disbelief. Who would anyone want to do this over and over?

Ace smiled and shook his head. He stared down at his feet. "Yeah, I guess. More than you, that is for sure. You drank a lot and probably too many different types of alcohol. Next time stick to one kind, and you might not get a hangover."

"Next time?" I groaned. I lowered my head into my folded arms that rested on the counter. I couldn't focus on this gorgeous boy; my stomach was queasy as it was.

Ace made some noise as he moved around the kitchen. Every time a cupboard shut, I cringed. Everything sounded so much louder than usual.

"Try this," Ace said.

I looked up to find two pieces of toast in front of me. I sighed as I looked at it warily.

"Just eat it slowly," Ace said.

I gave him a dubious look.

Ace smirked. "Just trust me, Aria."

"Sure," I said.