Chapter Nine:

I was at home, before I knew it. I dropped off the paperwork to G and biked home. I knew that I should be infuriated that Matt would pull something that, but I really wasn’t. Annoyed? Sure. Surprised? Aggravatingly so. But I wasn’t mad. If anything, I was mad that I wasn’t expecting it. After Brian, I should have been prepared and I definitely wasn’t.

I sighed and contemplated throwing myself onto my bed. I wasn’t at work for long, but I’m not about to stink up my sheets after that.

I frowned. I should probably give them a wash, especially after the night that Dean stayed over. I was too tired to do it yesterday. I stripped out of my clothes and stripped the sheets off of my bed. I carried the bundle over to my washer and dryer and dumped it onto the floor. I switched the load of work clothes from the washer to the dryer and got the sheets and my clothes from today washing. Good.

I grabbed my spare set of sheets and made my bed in record timing. I took the quickest shower known to man and reluctantly blow-dried my hair. I just changed my pillow-case and I wasn’t about to soak this one.

Satisfied that I was productive enough to sleep, I slipped into bed and buried myself under the covers, not even bothering to put clothes on. I set an alarm for a few hours later, charged my phone, and set it on my nightstand. I yawned and closed my eyes. I am so ready for this nap.

---

Loud banging yanked me from my dreams. I winced and sat up. I glanced at my clock and scowled. I haven’t even been asleep for an hour! It’s only eleven am. I still have seven hours, until Brian will even be here. This better be a fucking emergency.

I stumbled out of bed and walked over to the door. The banging just got louder. I tripped over a shoe and cursed. I hopped around on one foot and realized that I still was naked.

Well, shit. I spotted an oversized hoodie hanging from the side of my desk. I pulled it on and zipped it up, most of the way. That’ll have to do. I glanced down to make sure that it covered all of my important bits. Thank God, I’m short.

I looked through the peephole and saw Dean and Alexander standing outside of my door. Really? It had to be them. I looked around my room, wishing that I had more clothes handy, but saw none. I took a deep breath and unlocked and opened my door.

The banging stopped, as soon as Dean saw me. I felt the heat from his eyes wash over me and didn’t miss the fact that he bit his lip when he saw my lack of clothes.

“Did we catch you at a bad time?” Alexander asked me, also taking note of my clothing choice. I nodded.

“I was sleeping.” I answered in a chipped tone, directed to Dean. He shrugged and looked at me, sheepishly.

“You didn’t answer you phone.” Dean apologized. I rolled my eyes.

“What do you want?” I asked him. Alexander looked amused at the fact that I was angry with Dean and not with him.

“I wanted to apologize about last night and to see how you were settling in here. Have you had any problems? We try to be as accommodating as possible.” Alexander responded for Dean. I gave him a small smile.

“It’s great here. Really. I love it. I haven’t had any issues. I haven’t met too many of the people, but everyone has their own lives. I really do appreciate you letting me stay here.” I told Alexander. He smiled.

“There is no need to thank me, Karen. Your well-being is thanks enough.” He assured me. Dean looked like he was about to say something, when his phone went off. He looked apologetic, but pulled it out of his pocket anyway. I don’t care who he talks to. I care when he wakes me up to do it.

“Listen Courtney, now isn’t a good time.” Dean spoke into his phone, quickly.

“Dean,” the woman on the other end of his call whined, loudly. “You’ve been dodging me for weeks. I’m beginning to think that you don’t like me. We both know that I’m too pretty for that to be the case.” She flirted with him, shamelessly. Something about her tone sounded so familiar, I just couldn’t place it.

“Courtney, I’m in the middle of something.” Dean tried, again.

“Something or someone?” She asked him and then it clicked. He’s talking to Courtney Gilbert. We used to be friends, close friends. Then, she decided it was her life mission to fuck everyone’s boyfriends in school, it didn’t matter that she was older than they were, either. Since she graduated she started stripping, but I guess she stopped. I understand working for your money, but I draw the line at boyfriend stealing.

“Courtney,” Dean sighed, still not getting through to her. He looked at us for help. Alexander just watched the situation unfold and merely shook his head. I held my hand out for the phone. He handed it to me, gratefully.

“Dean can’t talk right now. He’s using his tongue for other things. Trust me. He’s putting it to better use than talking to you.” I told her, before hanging up. Dean stared at me, gaping. I handed him his phone and he pocketed it. “You’re welcome.” I deadpanned. It seemed to shake Dean out of his trance.

“We normally have weekly dinners in the lobby. The next will be tomorrow, if you’d like to join us. It starts around seven.” Alexander invited me. I nodded.

“I won’t miss it.”

“Excellent. I’ll see you, tomorrow. I’ll leave you to talk.” He excused himself.

“I can’t believe you just did that, babe.” Dean breathed. I laughed.

“Can we talk inside? I’m practically naked out here.” I requested. He nodded and followed me inside.

“Is someone jealous?” He teased. I rolled my eyes.

“As if,” I replied. “I just don’t like her. You can sleep with whoever you want. We’re friends, D. That’s it. Courtney’s a whore. Just tell me if you start hooking up with her, so I know when to stop hooking up with you. I’m not about to catch something.” I told him. He smirked.

“I’ve made that mistake and not looking to repeat it.” He assured me, still trying to undress me with his eyes.

“Good. So, not to be rude, but you gotta go. A girl needs her sleep.”

“I can tire you out.” He offered, but I shook my head.

“I’m still recovering from last time.” I made a face at him. He chuckled. “And I have plans tonight and I need to be able to function comfortably.”

“You have plans?”

“Yes.”

“With who?”

“Why do you care?”

“I’m your friend. I’m allowed to be concerned.”

“With Brian.”

“Why?”

“Because I can. Just to hang out. No expectations. I figure I owe him that much. I made it clear that nothing else was going to happen. Okay, Dad?” I quipped.

“Okay. I’m going. You can sleep, but feel free to take that off, before I go.” He winked. I threw a pillow at him. He threw it back and saw himself out. Men. Can’t live with ‘em and can’t… Well, that’s what they make vibrators for.

---

I stretched and grabbed my phone, lazily. I beat my alarm by five minutes. It’s a quarter after four. I shut off my alarm and stared at the ceiling, relishing in my good mood. Sleep does wonders for the soul. I stretched and tried to summon the urge to pry myself from my warm cocoon.

I jumped when my phone went off. I hit ‘talk’ without checking to see who it was.

“‘Lo?” I answered, lazily. I heard chuckling on the other end.

“I just wanted to make sure you weren’t bailing on tonight.” Brian breathed. I laughed.

“I still have over an hour to come down with a life-threatening illness.” I assured him.

“I don’t care if you’re dying. I’m still dragging your ass out.”

“Okay, Dad.” I snorted. “Well, I have to go and finish laundry so I don’t have any excuses later. Unless you plan on stalking me to make sure I don’t leave the country?”

“No, I’m good.”

“I ruined your secret plans. Didn’t I?”

“A good stalker never reveals his plans.”

“Whatever you have to tell yourself, creeper,” I replied, hanging up. I frowned. I really do need to finish my laundry. I crossed my loft and opened the dryer. I got my clothes folded relatively quickly. Once my sheets were in the dryer, I sauntered over to my closet.

What to wear? It may not be a date, but that doesn’t mean that I’m gonna go out looking a hot mess. I pulled out a pair of dark pair of jean shorts that have started to fade, a long gray Nirvana tank top, a green cardigan and burnt orange flats.

I put on my undergarments and clothes, before my stomach growled at me. I made some Ramen noodles and perched on the edge of my counter, eating. That’ll hold me until I eat later.
I tamed my hair and left most of it down. I played up my eyes, but didn’t do much else in the makeup department. I don’t want him to get the wrong idea.

Brian and I rode in silence. I suggested walking, since the bar wasn’t too far from my place, but he was set on driving. I looked out the window, until we got there.

As soon as we arrived and the car was off, I let myself out. A smirk played on Brian’s lips, but he didn’t say anything. We walked up to the bar and he opened the door for me. I wanted to protest, but thanked him instead. I think I surprised both of us.

“Karen! Brian!” Steven, the owner, greeted us. I smiled and walked over to him. He pulled me into a quick hug, before embracing Brian. “I didn’t expect to see you two tonight, together, anyway.” He joked.

“Weirder things have happen.” I made a face at him. He boomed with laughter.

“Sit down. Do you want your usual?” He asked both of us. I nodded. “I’ll be right back with that for you.” He promised, before walking away.We took a seat at a nearby table. I don’t sit at the bar, because I don’t want to get the man in trouble. I’m underage and I’m not about to be responsible for everyone’s favorite bar closing down.

“You look nice, Karen.” Brian told me, warmly. I cracked a small smile.

“Thanks, so do you. Of course, normally I’m in my work clothes. It’s really not hard to dress nicer than bike shorts and a tank.” I joked. He laughed.

“Touché.”

“So… what do you wanna talk about?” I asked him. He shrugged.

“We really don’t know each other. I just want to change that. What can it hurt?”

Notes

Once more of the story is established, there will definitely be more drama, because I'm hopeless and cannot help myself. More of both guys in upcoming chapters!

Announcement: I will be out of town/across the country May 15-May 25. My sister-in-law is renewing her vows. I also have a ton of friends/family that I haven't seen in like a half a year to cram into that short amount of time. With that being said, I'm going to try and update at least once or twice while I'm away, but it's a BIG possibility that I just won't have the time. I'm going to try to at least write so I have something to post when I get back into town. May 26th updates will be regular again - every few days.

Feedback? (More of the Karen/Brian not-date next chapter!)

Cookies and pie,
Katie