Page 39 of Hunt for the Roses
I put my phone down on the nightstand and throw my head back on the pillow as I rub my eyes and groan. When I decide to get up, I’m throwing my covers off of me and notice I’m in my pink plaid pajama pants and an oversized black t-shirt. I furrow my brows momentarily because I don’t remember changing into these clothes at all.
Did Dane walk me home?
Oh my god, did he have to change me?
I feel so confused and embarrassed as I reluctantly make my way downstairs to my front door. When I open it, I am greeted with Dane who is dressed in a pair of navy gym shorts and a gray t-shirt. His skin looks damp, indicating he just finished working out, but he’s also holding a small cup of coffee out to me.
“This should help wake you up.”
“Thanks,” I mumble as I take the cup, and then I look at him questioningly. “Did you bring me home last night?”
“Yeah, I was on ‘damage control’ duty by the end of the night,” he jokes.
I scrunch my face apologetically. “Sorry. I hope I wasn’t too annoying.”
He shrugs. “No more than usual.”
I laugh and nod my head as I lift the flap to the top of my coffee, and then I take a sip. Once I swallow my first gulp, I ask him another question. “This is kind of embarrassing, but how did I get in these clothes?” I ask as I point at my wardrobe. “I literally don’t remember much after the Cyndi Lauper dancing.”
“You can relax, you dressed yourself. Apparently, you’re on autopilot when you’re drunk,” he says with a smile.
I take another sip of my coffee before responding. “Wow, I’m impressed with myself.”
“I was too.”
I squint my eyes accusingly at him, but Dane holds his hands out in defense. “You were in the bedroom with the door closed. I was in the hallway.”
“Good. I thought I’d die of embarrassment if you had to dress me like a toddler, or watch me try to dress myself.”
“No need. You’re in the clear.”
I smile as I look Dane over for a few moments and then say what I really want to say. “Thank you.”
He knows I’m thanking him for taking care of me last night, and Dane nods back in acceptance. Then he places a hand on the top of my head as he says, “Just stay out of trouble today, yeah?” Dane smiles as he turns away to head back to his house, and then I decide to retreat into my own home to plop myself on the couch with my surprise coffee.
Today is definitely a Netflix day.
* * *
Dane
I ring my mom’s doorbell, expecting her energetic self to greet me at the door because I’m following through on plans to have dinner with her and her boyfriend.
When the door swings open, my mom doesn’t disappoint. “You made it!” she exclaims as she brings me in for a bear hug.
“Even remembered to pick up the hamburger buns,” I say as I return my mom’s hug.
My mom pulls back with a smile and then turns to walk in the house. “You saved me a trip. Thank you.”
“No worries. Just not sure I’ll go back to the grocery store on a Sunday,” I say as I set the rolls on the kitchen counter.
My mom takes a sip of her coffee, then leans one hip on the kitchen counter as she faces me. “Yeah, it’s always a madhouse on the weekends. Doesn’t help that it’s a holiday weekend either.”
“Yep. Chaos automatically ensues,” I say as I walk to the kitchen island and grab an apple from the fruit bowl. When I take a bite, I start to talk mid-chew. “Where’s Chris?”
“Upstairs getting changed. I think he just showered.”
“So, how are things with him?”
