Eric
Joan issound asleep when we pull into my driveway. She wasn't kidding when I overheard her tell Lisa she was a lightweight. But I also don't think she realized just how strong my best friend makes her drinks. Thank God she doesn't make them like that at the bar. Otherwise, we would lose money on liquor.
I put the car in park and get out as quietly as possible. I don't want to do anything to disturb Joan.
Rounding the car, I open the passenger door. I do everything I can not to wake her. Even though I know she'll feel it in the morning, she looks so peaceful.
Leaning over her, I unlatch the seat belt and let it fall into position. I grab her in my arms and pull her out of the car. It's a bit of a struggle. Lifting her off Lisa's porch was easier since there was more room to move around. The car doesn't exactly provide a lot of space.
She doesn't wake up or freak out or anything like that. In fact, she does the opposite and snuggles deeper into my chest. This is a scenario I've dreamed about since she started working at the bar, and it's finally a reality. I would only prefer she was sober and not drunk.
Once I have a firm grasp on her, I kick the car door shut and head to my front door.
Thank God Lisa talked me into upgrading to a lock with a pin code. I don't have to mess with jostling my keys while trying to keep a grip on Joan. It's the best investment I've ever made.
Swinging the door open, the only light shining is the one above the stove. It stays on so I can see when I get home late at night.
Now to figure out where to put Joan. There's the couch, but it isn't exactly comfortable. There's also the crappy bed Lisa bought when she lived here. I don't exactly want to put her in there, either. I will take that bed and she can have mine.
I push the door closed before heading down the hall to my bedroom. I'll come back and lock the door once I know she's settled. Luckily, I didn't make the bed this morning and it'll be easier to tuck her in.
Setting her on the bed, I remove my arms from around her body. The thought of changing her clothes and putting some of mine on her passes through my mind. But I knock it away just as quickly. She can't be comfortable in the clothes she's been in all day,
I lift the blankets until she's completely covered. She may not be comfy, but she will be snug.
The bed moves as I slide off it to lock the door and get her some water in case she wakes up, but a hand clamps on my arm. "Don't go."
What do I do here? The smart thing would be to move her hand and leave the room anyway. I've never been accused of making great decisions.
Patting her arm, until she moves her hand, I get off the bed and kick off my shoes. My feet move toward the other side of the bed at an agonizing pace even though my heart feels like it's going to beat right out of my chest.
"Eric?" Joan's voice is a soft whisper in the stillness of my room.
I don't bother taking my pants off, I don't want her to wake up and freak out. She may have the idea of me being a playboy in her head, but I would never allow someone to think I took advantage of them.
I lie down next to her, on top of the blankets, and rub her back. "I'm right here."
"Okay." She scoots closer to me, and I wish this was an ordinary night. One where we end up at my place after a date. But this is fine.
Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I open the app for my door lock and engage it. Seriously, I love this damn lock.
My eyes are focused on the ceiling, even though the room is pitch black. Her soft snores fill the space between us, and despite trying to stay awake to make sure she doesn't need anything...my eyes drift shut.
Something slams into my chest. It takes me a second to realize I’m not on my usual side of the bed. And…I’m still in the clothes I wore last night. The shrieking woman next to me reminds me of last night’s events, and I glance in her direction.
“Where am I?” Joan lifts the blankets.
“Do you remember anything about last night?” I slide off the bed to ease her fears.
“Not really,” she scrunches her eyebrows and curls her fingers into a fist. “I know the drinks Lisa made were strong. I vaguely remember getting in the car with you.” Her eyes bounce back and forth around the room. “Wait.”
“Yeah?”
“You and I—” she motions between the two of us, “we didn’t do anything, did we?”
“No,” I shake my head. I figured she’d understand that when she realized she still had her clothes on, and I’m fully dressed. “I’m not an asshole.”
“I-I’m sorry,” she covers her face with her hands. “I don’t think you are. It’s just jarring waking up next to you.”
