Just Friends

Chapter Thirty-Nine

"He's in there?" Ellie exclaims in surprise.

"Yeah." I groan taking a sip of my third cup of coffee this morning. "He came in at about 3:30 and scared me half to death. Oh, and that reminds me, we really need to hide that spare key better."

After Braden had fallen to sleep, l climbed out of bed, made myself a drink and curled up on the sofa to watch a film until Ellie had woken up. When she asked why I was already up, I gave her a brief explanation until she demanded a coffee before more details.

"Why?" She says, confused. "I thought he didn't want a relationship?"

I shrug, placing my cup down onto the Kitchen table. "I don't think he does."

Ellie looks at me sympathetically and says, "then what exactly did he have to say?"

"l don't know. He was drunk." I Slump further into my seat, exhausted from my lack of sleep. "He said that he was sorry for what happened at the lake and that he doesn't want anyone else."

Ellie's eyes widen in surprise, and I immediately know that she's going to demand more information. I'm too tired for this, but at least I can talk to her about it before I have to face Braden.

"He said that?" Her previous looks of caution and sympathy are quickly replaced with curiosity and excitement. "Jo!" She shrieks. "That's amazing news!"

"How is that amazing news at all?" I Sigh. "He was drunk, remember? He might not mean any of it. For all I know, he could wake up and regret coming here in the first place."

I know that I probably sound miserable, and I'm complaining way too much, but with the excitement radiating off Ellie, l feel like someone has to balance things out.

"Ah! The keyword there, Jo, is 'might'!" Ellie smiles and takes a large gulp of her coffee. "Plus!" She continues, a little too loudly. "Liquid courage!"

"ugh," I groan. "I knew you were going to say that." I smile back at her, but it quickly falters as we hear a door from down the hallway, open and close.

I know that when I look at Ellie, my moment of panic is clear on my face, but she only grins back at me, almost unable to control herself and her excitement.

As he walks into the kitchen, I sit up straight in my seat, immediately tense. His hair sticks up in odd places, like it often does in the morning, and I assume, by his lack of T-Shirt that he must have gotten too warm at some point during the 'night'.

I find myself biting my lower lip as I take in the sight before me and immediately try to focus on anything else.

"Please," Braden Says with a sleepy smirk. "Don't stop on my behalf."

Clearly it was apparent precisely what we were talking about.

"Oh, don't worry," Ellie begins to say, looking at me and raising her eyebrows, clearly having the time of her life. "we weren't talking about anything interesting," she lies.

"Huh," he responds with another smirk, clearly not believing her as he begins to make himself a coffee. When he's filled a mug he turns to look at me, his eyes still heavy with sleep. "How are you this morning?" He asks a little awkwardly.

"Tired," I laugh nervously.

Braden cringes slightly and lifts the cup to his lips. "I'm sorry."

I shake my head and wave a hand in dismissal before draining the rest of my own coffee.

Ellie stands beside Braden, looking back and forth between us with a knowing smile.

I feel impatient. I want to ask, but not when we have an audience.