Fighter {Completed}

Chapter Six: You're My Sister, Always {Ellie}

Chapter Six: You're My Sister, Always {Ellie}

I'm hot.

I'm too hot.

I need air.

Shoving the covers off of me, I suck in deep breaths as my fan blows on me, the sticky feeling of sweat making me groan aloud. My hair sticks to my face and my clothes bunch up, glued to me as well.

Gross.

God, what am I wearing?

Looking over myself, I frown. Jeans, my dressy shirt, and even my shoes adorn my body. And then I pause.

How the hell did I get here?

The image of me walking through the door is clear, but was it a cab? Had to have been. Everyone else was way too drunk to drive me home. The bartender must've called one for me.

But how did I even get to bed?

I swear, I passed out on the couch.

I let it go, and with a sigh, I get up, stripping out of my clothes and throwing on a new pair of pajama shorts and t-shirt. My stomach lets it's whale-call begin as I make my way toward the kitchen. Delicious aromas float in the air as I enter, making me even hungrier.

"That smells really good," I comment, stepping into the kitchen.

Cole's shirtless form sits at the bar again, mouth tearing into a piece of bacon as if he's starving, which, he probably is. He was just as drunk as I if I recall correctly.

Well... at this point, my memory probably isn't the most trustworthy.

"Good morning, dollface," Sebastian greets, grinning with his non-hungover self.

Lucky bastard.

"Good morning," I tell him, trying to offer a smile.

"How'd you sleep? Cole said you were pretty messed up last night." I nod, the memory of yelling at Cole at the bar flooding into my mind. Heat coats my cheeks and I sneak a glance at the brooding boy eating at the island.

"Yeah... Last night wasn't my proudest night."

Did I do anything else embarrassing?

"Hey, how'd I get to bed?" I ask, looking at Sebastian. He shrugs, raising his eyebrows. "I remember coming home and that's about it."

"Wasn't me. I was busy," he says, smirking. I open my mouth just as a beautiful brunette walks into the room, her face clearly red as she hears Sebastian's words.

"Alright, well at least you're home and safe," Sebastian tells me, pulling the girl to him and gripping her ass, not bothering to hide it at all. She blushes deeper, smiling softly as she shoves his hands away.

I laugh, shaking my head.

"I took a cab here with Scarlet and Asher, but that's about all I remember."

"Well, props to you for at least getting home. I ended up on my mom's front yard my freshman year of college," the girl says, grinning at me. I can't help but laugh, picturing the scene. "It takes a smart girl to make it home even after being plastered."

"No, it wasn't." Everyone turns to Cole, who glares at me. "It was stupid. You should've let me call you a cab like I said, instead of trying to wander around drunk just begging for some guy to kidnap you."

Humiliation burns through me, my face feeling as if it's on fire and my heart sinking low in my chest.

He's not wrong.

Instead of commenting, I just roll my eyes at Cole, letting his words hang in the air.

No longer hungry, I shake my head. It's best to just go back to my room. I don't want to deal with him right now. I've got enough shit without him adding to it.

I leave the kitchen without another word.

"Smooth," I hear Sebastian taunt Cole as I turn the corner. Once I reach my room, I close my door behind me, heading for the phone sitting on my bed.

The next few hours pass quietly, everyone recovering from a night of heavy drinking, and after playing on my phone and watching T.V. for a while, I decide to take a quick shower.

The water is hot as it runs down my face, soothing my muscles and making me feel more relaxed instantly.

Once I'm clean, I head for the kitchen again, my hunger finally driving me to get something to eat. Sebastian sits in the livingroom, T.V. loud as he plays his game. Cole sits on the couch, lacing up his shoes as he hunches over.

"What's up," Seb asks, not looking at me.

"I'm starving," I tell him, moving past him and toward the fridge. I make a quick sandwich, eating it in record time. A bag of chips rests on the counter, and I snag them, unfolding the opening and stuffing a few chips into my mouth.

"I'll be back later," Cole says, standing and heading for the door.

He dresses in a pair of athletic shorts, loose on his legs and easy to move. His top half is adorned in a dark blue hoodie, but the garment does nothing to hide his physique.

I pull my eyes away and focus on the screen as Sebastian plays.

He leaves without another word, and I take his seat on the couch as Sebastian pauses the game. His gaze locks on me and I raise a brow.

"What?"

"Tell me why I saw Cole carrying you to bed last night," he demands, eyes hard as he stares at me.

"Cole carried me to bed?" I blanch.

"Yes. Did you sleep with him?"

"Christ, Sebastian. No!" I feel the blood rush up toward my face, my body feeling hot as embarrassment runs through me.

"Good." I wait for him to elaborate, but he just stays silent, confusing me further.

"Why, 'Good?'" I question.

"Because my adoptive little sister isn't supposed to sleep with my best friend. That always ends badly."

My heart melts.

"Your little sister?" I ask, hearing the awe in my voice.

"Yes, Ellie. You're my sister, always. Blood or not." He smiles softly, before sighing. "Look, I'm not knocking Cole. He's a great guy and he's damn sure always had my back. I just... I wanna make sure that before you get involved with him that you're not being pressured into anything or-

"Woah, woah, woah! I'm not...getting involved with Cole! I barely know the guy. He's said probably a total of ten words to me and they've all been insulting. I don't want to be involved with him." I shudder, the blush in my cheeks making me begin to sweat.

"Oh," Sebastian frowns, confused. "Okay. Sorry, I thought... I don't know," he laughs. "Maybe I'm just reading the room wrong."

"Definitely wrong."

"My bad," he laughs, shrugging and then unpausing his game, the conversation officially ended. As I glance toward the front door that Cole had exited through, another question begins begging to be asked.

"Hey, can I ask you something about him?"

"I thought you said you didn't want to be involved," he taunts, raising a brow as he pauses the game again.

"Sebastian," I roll my eyes. He nods for me to ask the question. "Why is he always here? Doesn't he have his own place?"

"He does, but he... It's complicated. Cole doesn't like to be alone. He likes company."

I nod, the new revelation about Cole easing my curiosity.

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