The Soldier's Roommate

Chapter 10: What the hell just happened?!

Alice

I wake up to the sun shining in my face, the throbbing pain in my head almost exploding when I open my eyes. "Ugh... Fuck..."

Events of last night flash through my mind as I try to sit up properly, taking a deep breath to get the dizziness to stop. I remember Elijah carried me up the stairs, and I remember I told him that I thought he hated me.

Stupid wine making me babble...

What I also remember is him admitting that he doesn't want Felix to sleep in my bed. I know I should be pissed about it - He definitely has no right to keep my best friend away from me.

I don't feel pissed, though. I feel kind of... Happy? I guess?

Maybe because it shows that he does not, in fact, hate me. Even if he has a weird way of showing that.

The sound of some commotion downstairs brings me out of my thoughts, and I rub my hands over my face, trying to come to terms with the fact that Felix is probably still downstairs and will burn the kitchen down and help him...

Wait.

Wait.

Today's Saturday. That means Jake will be here in... Fuck, my phone says it's eight A.M. already. I have less than two hours left before my brother shows up on my doorstep.

I groan when I realize I have to get into the shower soon, otherwise I'll have to greet my little brother with hangover-stench and flour in my hair.

But just as I get out of bed, trying to find something to wear for the day, I hear his voice.

"Liss! Get up!"

Well, I guess I'll greet my little brother with hangover-stench and flour in my hair.

I jump into some silk pants and an oversize blouse, spray some deodorant over myself and wrap my hair into a messy bun before I sprint out of my room and down the stairs.

Felix, Elijah and my brother sit on the bar chairs by the kitchen counter, laughing about something I didn't hear, and I can't help but just stand there, watching these three men with curiosity.

Why the hell is Elijah sitting with them? Why is he laughing like that?

"Liss!" Jake suddenly spots me and turns around, a wide grin on his now way too grown-up looking face.

"What the hell are you doing here already?!" I ask as I throw my arms around him and spin us around like he was still eight years old, eliciting a laugh from both Felix and Elijah.

"Nice to see you, too, sis." Jake laughs as he pulls back, studying me up and down with a raised brow.

"Don't look at me like that, baby bro. You can't show up here at this time of day and expect me to be ready!"

Jake laughs, pulling me in for another hug when he explains, "I know, I know. I just wanted to surprise you! But imagine my surprise when I rang the doorbell and that hunk of a man opened the door."

He nods toward Elijah who just shakes his head laughing, distracting himself by staring straight into his coffee while mumbling something inaudible.

"Yeah, sorry," I laugh, "I guess that means you met my new roommate."

When I told Jake that I moved out of my place, I just told him that I found a better house that is cheaper than mine. I didn't really want to tell him about the arrangement itself; I know he'd only feel guilty since I'm helping him out with the new car he wants to buy.