Ties That Bind

Chapter 4. Trouble

The next morning would await Stevie with a pounding headache and an unfamiliar place as she opened her eyes to roll out of bed. As the brightness of morning shone through some cream, paper like shades---it forced her to wake up.

Eyes roaming the ceiling, she had to get up to figure out where exactly she was. Tossing her legs over the edge of the bed, she pressed a palm to her head and she looked down, only to see Robin and Lori on the floor. "What the hell," she mumbled and looked down at her attire.

She was still in her black dress from the night before; short sleeved, low cut V neck, it went to her shins though it gathered at the center and it created an odd edging while tiny pieces of fringe and black beading created a beautiful passementerie design---although, she was missing her seven inch platform boots, while nylon tights remained on her legs.

"Hm..." she mumbled and finally pushed herself up fully, though she did bend down to pick up her boots. Stepping over the girls, she ventured through and came to realize where she was; it was her back apartment.

"Alright, look, Buckingham," she cut off his guitar playing and coffee drinking.

He looked up at her and he rose his brows, almost wanting to laugh but definitely keeping it at bay.

"You may think you have all the edge in the world to make women just fall over you," as she slipped her boots back on, toppling as she didn't have the balance to do so. "Because you have those charming blue eyes, you play guitar and are in a band, but look---it's not gonna work on me," she pointed out before picking up the other boot. "Okay, so what did you do to lure us in here?" she huffed as soon as she zipped up the boot, just to let her hands to her hips. "Well?"

Scoffing, though more or less laughing, he stood up to approach her. "I didn't do anything," he put his hand on his chest.

Hands falling to her side, she creased her brow and took a step back from him.

"You guys were loaded off your asses and you told me you couldn't find your keys to get into your place. Red passed out on the ground, Robin right with her and you held conversation with me long enough for me to get you into the bed," he explained.

Huffing, she moved her arms and crossed them. "Where did you sleep?" she had to ask.

"On the couch out here, I usually do anyway," he shrugged since that was a true statement, even in his own home.

"Well..." she mumbled to herself, not sure what to say. As her eyes roamed around, she did see that his place was a little more together than it was the first day she had spotted him.

He arched both brows before turning around to head to the kitchen. "Coffee?" he asked. "You seem like you could use some," he smirked under his breath.

"Sure, I could..." she lingered---nearing his counter top to only rest her arm on it. "But I obviously have to wake the girls."

"I'm just sayin', a hangover like yours... Thought you'd wanna treat that before you try to kill your friends for pissing you off..."

She gave a sarcastic grin---her smudged eye makeup doing nothing for her case.

"Just a suggestion," he winked as he handed her a cup of black coffee. "I don't use cream or sugar usually, but that might whip you into shape quicker," as he took a drink.

"Hm..." she had to stare at him before taking a sip of the piping brew.

"Alright, what exactly is your problem with me?" he had to laugh.

"Don't be conceded," she leaned on his counter, holding herself up. "It doesn't have to be a you thing... It can be lots of things. I have a short temper for a lot of people, but your presence brings a sort of chaos I've never edured before."