Flip the Colleague [Flip Zimmerman]

Ch 12: Heartbroken

Author's note:
Buckle up, babies. This one is another rollercoaster but I am so excited to share it. I know exactly how I want this story to end (dramatically, of course) so just enjoy the ride! I'll take care of you, I promise. ;) - xo

Flip slowly stirred from a dead sleep when he felt your hand brush his shoulder. The gentle caress was immediately followed by a splitting headache. He must have drunk too much the night before. He pinched the bridge of his nose and rolled over to face you. For a moment, he thought you coming to see him was just a dream—but he was awake now, and you were beside him.

He rolled onto his back and instinctively pulled you against his chest. With his eyes still closed, he felt your head settle into the hollow of his shoulder and inhaled deeply, breathing in your hair. But something was wrong. Your scent was different.

He squinted, the pressure in his head intensifying. Slowly, he opened his eyes and looked down.

It wasn't you.

His heart stopped.

By then, you and Sara were settling into your new apartment, still unpacking odds and ends. You didn't have work that morning, yet you woke early anyway, your body still stuck in its old routine. It felt good to finally have a slow morning to yourself. You lingered in bed for a while before getting up to make a large pot of coffee, knowing most of it would probably go to waste - but you loved the way the smell filled the apartment. It reminded you of Flip.

You knew he had the day off, too, so you waited, planning to call at a decent hour. Though knowing him, he was probably already awake. The man hardly ever slept.

Flip abruptly shoved himself out from beneath the woman. She lifted her head and looked up at him.

It was her.

"The fuck!?" Flip tried to shout, but the pounding in his head stopped it short. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood. Looking down, he realized he was still wearing his jeans, but no shirt. His gaze flicked back to Mandy. She appeared to be naked—except for his flannel shirt draped over her shoulders.

His stomach churned, both physically and mentally.

Mandy stretched her arms over her head and yawned. "Good morning."

"No... no. NO." Flip shook his head, clinging desperately to the thought that nothing had happened. "I didn't fucking touch you. I wouldn't touch you."

Mandy grinned. "You wouldn't? You have before."

Flip dragged both hands through his hair, then paused to clutch his head. He was trying to piece together what the hell had happened - how Mandy ended up in his bed, and why his head hurt this badly. He wasn't a stranger to drinking or hangovers, but this was different. This felt like a full-blown migraine.