Page 13 of Beg Me

How the fuck did she get in here? What am I doing on the floor? Fuck.

Everything from this morning starts to flood my memory as Janice reaches her hand out to me to help me stand. I take it sighing, and pull myself up. The world spins just a touch.

Fuck this hangover is bad.

Almost as if she can read my mind, Janice opens her hand with two little white pills in it and a glass of water.

At least, I hope it’s water. I can’t handle anything else.

Taking them from her I drink them down, feeling relief that it’s not vodka, as that’s totally something Janice would do. I start to rub the back of my neck, and I feel Janice’s eyes bore holes through my skull.

Finally looking at her I shrug. “What’s up?”

Really? That’s all I can come up with?

So much game there. Ugh.

It’s pretty obvious she feels the same about what I just said with the look she is giving me.

“Oh I don’t know, the weather is nice. I had a crappy date last night. And oh yeah, you walk into the bathroom. Without knocking, might I add. Saw me finger fucking Olive, and ran out like a scared animal that just saw its biggest predator. Want to explain what’s up with that?”

Looking down, I blush and continue to run my hands over the back of my neck, up to my hair, jostling it around until I’m comfortable enough to talk.

“I didn’t see anything, lots of steam.”

That’s a bald-faced lie.

“Bullshit Zander, I’m not an idiot. I know you. If you saw nothing, why did you run out like that?”

Fuck, she’s got me there. I have no answer to that, so I just shrug.

I’m so uncomfortable right now. “Sorry Janice, I don’t feel great. I’m going to head home, either close up and put the closed sign out, or work the shift. Entirely up to you. Have a good night.”

“Coward,” she hisses as I’m walking out the door.

Yeah, I know it’s a coward’s move, but I have no clue what else to do at this point. My head is spinning and I just need to sleep.

Walking out to my truck I look up at the apartment where my dreams were so close to being made last night, and see Olive sitting on the couch, with her curtains wide open.

Close your curtains unless you want more weirdos sneaking peeks.

You mean you? Do I need to be worried about you sneaking peeks?

Never. You know I’m the most respectable man around.

*Eyes rolling emoji* Okay, thank you. I will close my curtains. Have a good night.

You too. Lock your door and your deadbolt.

*eyes rolling emoji x4*

Hopping in the truck, I start it and pull out, heading home. Tomorrow will be better. I’ll talk to them both then. Maybe I won’t be such a pussy after I get some sleep.

Chapter 7

Janice

Blasting Sleep Token in the bar all night is definitely going to affect my tips, but I don’t care. The way Zander took off like that pissed me off. Listening to some good music will help me not absolutely lose my shit on everyone.

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