Like You Mean It

Chapter 8

Beca sleepily opened her eyes at the gentle knocking on her bedroom door, resisting the urge to burrow back beneath the covers when it slowly opened letting light into the room. Chloe must have realized the situation, stepping inside and closing the door behind her.

"Hey."

Beca appreciated the soft tone, trying to pull her mind from the foggy sleepy feeling. "Morning," she yawned, turning her face into her pillow.

Chloe kept her distance, though Beca was aware of her unwavering gaze.

"Quit staring at me, Beale," Beca muttered, forcing herself to sit up a little and rub at her eyes, unaware that her tank top had ridden up high on her stomach during the night. Gathering her bearings, Beca finally focused her gaze on the redhead, growing impatient waiting for her to explain her presence.

"As much as I love being woken up early," Beca drawled, her lips curling into a semi-frustrated smile before continuing, "Why exactly am I awake?"

Chloe's eyes snapped up to meet hers, seeming to shake out of her thoughts. "Aubrey's flight landed and she's catching a cab here. I thought you might want some notice before we have company."

Beca sighed, both grateful at the heads up and irritated at the thought of Aubrey infiltrating her home. Processing those words for a second, Beca suddenly made a connection she hoped was wrong. "Wait... is Aubrey staying here? Like, overnight?"

Chloe's eyebrow rose as she answered, "Of course. I can't make her get a hotel. It's only for two nights... surely you can survive that."

"But... where is she sleeping?"

"With me."

Beca frowned at that answer, and at the easy tone with which Chloe answered her. "What?"

Chloe didn't look bothered at all, replying, "We've shared a bed many times before. It's not a big deal."

"Uh..." Beca trailed off, unsure why exactly she was so uncomfortable with that idea. Maybe discomfort wasn't accurate... she hated the idea of Chloe sharing a bed with Aubrey.

Chloe seemed to pick up on it, and Beca decided she also hated the knowing smile that graced the redhead's face. "Bec... are you worried about Aubrey and I sharing a bed? You know we're just friends..."

"What... no, it's fine," Beca stuttered, wondering where all that honesty from the night before had gone. It should be easy for her to just tell Chloe that yes, it did in fact bother her and she'd much rather find another solution... like maybe Chloe sleeping in here with her. "Oh shit..."

Chloe crossed her arms over her chest. "Okay, so you suck at lying. We've covered that. Also, if you don't want me to sleep with Aubrey just say so."

Beca closed her eyes trying to block out the images that Chloe's words unintentionally caused, growing more irritated by the second at the way this conversation was going. She knew there was no reason to be jealous of Chloe and Aubrey's friendship, and she had bigger problems to focus on... like the fact that she was now thinking about Chloe in her bed and what actions might follow that scenario.

"You just caught me off guard... it's fine, I promise," Beca sighed, running her fingers through her hair. "How long do I have before she gets here?"

Chloe shrugged, apparently letting it go. "Thirty minutes," she answered, turning to leave. Pausing at the door, Chloe half-turned to look at her. "You know Bec, if you want me in your bed... all you have to do is ask."

Beca flushed at her tone, her irritation coming back at Chloe's flirty teasing. "Yeah, well I don't. At all... so don't worry about it."

Chloe chuckled and slipped out her door, her voice floating back through the opening, "Whatever you say. Also, it's almost noon... get your ass up."