Behind Closed Doors

Chapter 22: Chuck Bass and Blair Waldorf

"Who wants mimosas!" Mickey called as Y/N started to clear the table. Mary's hand shot up, and Joe let out a small chuckle.

"I'll have one too, hun, thank you," Daisy replied. Y/N shuffled dishes into one hand and raised the other.

"Do you want one, babe?" Mickey looked to Edward, who nodded.

"Might as well make enough for all of us, Mickey. Looks like another day of getting bombed." Chris grinned.

Mickey set to work making enough drinks for the entire crew. No one had to twist his arm, Y/N thought with a smirk.

Mickey daintily placed a full glass into everyone's hand. He held his up as if to toast.

"To friendship!" Mickey proclaimed, clinking his glass with Edward's. A chorus of repeats followed and more clinking glasses. Y/N saw Mickey nearly drain the whole glass. Edward placed a hand on his shoulder and shot him a look that Y/N read as 'slow down.'

"Oh!" Daisy exclaimed. "We should go in the hot tub!"

Tom nodded, as did Mary, Mickey, and Joe. Y/N almost nodded herself, before realizing how bad of an idea it was.

If she was in her swimsuit, everyone would be able to see that her entire torso was covered in bruises. The ones on her back, fine, everyone knew why those were there. They weren't cute, but they had an easy explanation. The small bruises that dotted her neck and chest? Not as easily explained.

"Um, I don't think I want to," Y/N said cautiously. "The other night Daisy and I drank in the hot tub and I woke up with a vicious hangover. I don't think I can drink and be in the hot tub at the same time." She gestured with her mostly-full mimosa.

Daisy quirked an eyebrow, but nodded. "That makes sense. Alright." She looked at Chris and Edward.

"Fine, I guess I'll join," Edward sighed. "I won't have any fun though." Mickey kissed his cheek.

That just left Chris. "I'm also going to have to pass." Y/N let out an internal sigh of relief. "You know, gotta stay out of the water for at least 30 minutes after you eat!" He laughed unconvincingly.

"You're an idiot." Mary rolled her eyes. "Just come in with us."

"I'm good, really. I'll help Y/N clean up."

"I doubt she wants your help, Chris." Mary glared. It seemed that while Y/N had told her that things were resolved, Mary still hadn't forgiven Chris.

"Fine. If you must know, I have an awful stomachache, and I'd like to curl up in bed so I don't shit my brains out. Happy?" Chris glared back.

Mary grimaced. "Alright, do you, dude." She walked off to go put on her swimsuit, as did the others.

That left Y/N and Chris to clean up from breakfast.

"Shit your brains out?" Y/N questioned quietly.

"No one ever asks questions if you mention having to shit your brains out. It shuts down conversation." Chris grinned.

"I mean, I don't even know if I want to talk to you now..." Y/N laughed.

"Exactly! And no one will ask why I don't want to go in the hot tub, and therefore won't see how you mauled me. Excellent plan!"

Y/N laughed again as she gathered plates from the table. Their friends one by one returned from their rooms and made their way out the back door to enjoy the hot tub.

Chris handed Y/N a dish towel. "I'll wash, if you dry."

Y/N accepted. The two worked in silence for a while, finding a rhythm together of washing, drying, and returning dishes to their rightful homes. The domesticity of it was almost soothing. Part of Y/N wondered if they were getting too comfortable with each other. That part of her was afraid he'd hurt her the same way Austin did, so she chose to ignore it. Those patterns of thinking weren't helpful. This was an entirely new situation, and Chris wasn't Austin.