The Brothers

Chapter 5

It's daylight when I open my eyes. 

My head is aching terribly and for the twentieth time, I swear to myself that I'm never getting drunk again. My legs are totally cramped from the tight jeans that I slept in, and my mouth tastes like cotton wool.

I can't believe that Harry actually let me sleep in his bed.

I press a thumb into my aching temple, asking myself if drinking was really worth it. Deciding it probably wasn't, I push the duvet back and I get out bed.

I wash my face in his bathroom before I walk back to the bedroom. I find lotion on the dresser and I squeeze some of it onto my palm.

"What are you doing?" The calm voice makes me jump.

I slowly turn around.

Harry is leaning against the bedroom door, his cold eyes on me.

"I was just..."

He cuts me off.

"Using my stuff wasn't part of the deal."

"I know. I was just-"

"Just... Just leave."

"Hey, I'm sorry. I really didn't mean to upset you."

He doesn't say anything. He just steps into the room and lies on his bed, clothes and everything.

I briefly wonder if he got somewhere to sleep after he allowed me to h****k his bed.

Maybe he didn't, and that's why he's in a mood?

I guess we'll never find out."

"You're still here."

I blow out my breath.

"I was just leaving."

**

Downstairs, everything has been cleaned and the living room is immaculate. There's no one in view and the wall clock says it's a few minutes to noon.

I can't find my purse.

"Hey," someone says from behind me and I turn around.

It's Willy. My mood brightens up immediately.

"Hi."

"How are you feeling?"

"Like s**t. I have a massive headache, and I somehow managed to piss Harry off."

"I'll get you some painkillers. About pissing Harry, don't worry about that. It's the easiest to do."

"He gets mad often?"

"Often? Try all the time. What has he done to you?"

"Nothing. He was just mean. I didn't expect him to react like that so it kinda threw me off."

"What happened?"

"He let me sleep in his room and-"

"Woah! He talked to you?" The surprise in his voice is obvious.

"Yeah, but I kinda wish he didn't."

"Harry doesn't usually speak to people. He hates everyone."

"Even you?"

"Even himself.".

"But why?"

"Forget it. Just try and stay out of his way, and you'll be fine. His mood shifts faster than a piston."

"I kinda figured that out."

"So, do you want to take a shower?"

"I don't have a change of clothes and I should really get going. Lisa might be worried about me."

"I doubt she is."

"Why would you say that?"

"Every Friday, Lisa hooks up with a random guy. They go to his place and stay there until Saturday evening, then they come here together for the Saturday night party."

"Lisa has a boyfriend. She wouldn't do that."

"He's just a boyfriend. He hasn't put a ring on it yet."

"So it's okay if she cheats on him?" I ask him, clearly dumbfounded.

"I just don't care. She can dish her body to anyone she pleases. She's really good at what she does."

"How do you know?"

He shrugs before answering.

"Harry isn't too secretive."

"She used to be Harry's girlfriend?" The shock in my voice makes him smile.

"The just hooked up once. Harry is not very keen on dating. None of us is. Life is less dramatic that way."

"Wow! I can't believe this will be my new normal."

"You think what we do is not okay?"

"I didn't say that. I've never met people like you guys. All my life, I've been taught that s*x doesn't come before marriage. Now I feel like I was duped."

"That's kinda cool, actually." He laughs. "So, shower or breakfast?"

"I'm starving."

In the dining area, Charlie is on the phone, a mug of coffee in his hand. His eyes widen when Willy pulls a chair for me and he quickly ends the call.

"Wow! Look who is feeling romantic this morning!" He exclaims sarcastically.

Willy ignores him.

He places a mug of coffee before me and I help myself to buttered toast and eggs. I feel Charlie's eyes on me the entire time but I don't meet his gaze at any point. I find his stare unnerving.

Willy pulls a chair beside me while I focus on staring at my plate.

"You're staring at her, you know?" I hear willy saying beside me and I look up.

Charlie is grinning at me.

"I'm just reminiscing last night's memories."

"What happened last night?" Willy asks with a frown.

"Go ahead. Tell him." Charlie smirks at me.

"Tell him what?"

"You don't remember?"

I stare at him in confusion, and I groan when the drunken kiss flows into my head. I had forgotten all about it. It was one of those mistakes that you make while you're drunk then you wake up with no memories whatsoever.

What the hell was I thinking?

That's exactly the problem, I wasn't thinking at all.

"You see? She does remember now." Charlie tells his brother with a smug smile. God! I want to hit him with something.

Willy turns to gape at me.

"You two didn't...did you.. Did.."

"Yeah we did, Willy. You have anything against it?" That's Charlie.

"Was that before or after you came to my room? " Willy asks me, startled.

"Before...." I squeak.

Charlie pales.

"She was in your room? I knew this innocence thing was a pretense!"

I shake my head at Charlie. I'm trying to figure out what's wrong with him. This guy has more red flags than the Beijing Olympics.

"I'm not hungry." I mutter under my breath as I push my chair back, and I walk out of the room without a backward glance.

Honestly, f**k the brothers.

I have no means whatsoever to get home. I left my purse and my phone in Lisa's car last night and now I'm f*****g stranded.

I'll go upstairs and find one of those party makers who were too hungover to leave on time. If I'm lucky, someone will let me use their phone.

I stalk down the corridor on the first floor and I knock on a random door. When I get no response, I push it open.

It's a study; a very spacious one. The desk is unoccupied and I eye the phone on the table. I could just call Lisa..

Ugh! I don't know her phone number off head. That sucks for me.

As a last minute thought, I decide to call my phone.

I swipe to unlock the screen and I'm instantly relieved that there's no password.

Careless much?

The wallpaper catches my eyes for a second there. It's a photo of a very pretty little girl.

Pushing that out of my mind, I quickly dial my number.

I wait nervously as the call goes through, and a moment later, Lisa's voice fills my ear.

"Hi, this is Bree's phone. Leave a message."

"Lisa, it's me."

"Hi, where are you?"

"I'm still at the exact place where you left me last night. How could you leave me here?"

"Hey, calm down. I saw you kissing Charlie in the garden and I decided to leave with Stan. Are you okay?"

"Am I okay? Are you serious?"

"I'm so sorry. We're coming to get you. Stay put."

"Thank you."

I place the phone back on the desk and when I turn around, Harry is standing at the door and he's clearly not too happy with me.

I can easily guess why.

"Which part of do not touch my stuff is so hard to understand?" He asks as he closes the door behind him and stalks into the room.

"I'm sorry. I had to."

"Is it in your bucket list to see how much you can push me before I snap at you?"

"Um..not really. "

"Can you go home already? The party ended hours ago so you're overstaying a little bit."

I want to roll my eyes but I know better, plus I'm too frustrated right now. I somehow managed to cross all the three brothers lines in a half a day.

I can't believe that I was such an i***t to kiss Charlie. What had gotten into me?

Something clicks into my mind then. Willy probably thinks that I had s*x with Charlie.

Ugh! Why do I even feel like I owe Willy any freaking explanations?

"Bridget?" Harry's voice is a mere inch way from me.

"Yes?" I look up into his dark eyes.

"I'm saying, go home. Where's your mind?"

"I'm sorry."

I glance at him as I close the door behind me but he's not even looking at me.

I literally fly down the stairs, and I'm so relieved when I find Lisa waiting for me in the living room.