Tattooed On You

XXVI: Layers of Pain

Staring at the ceiling of my room, I try to remember how I ended up in bed last night. It's a blur, but not because I had too much alcohol. The cause of this blur has brown hair, green eyes, and two dimples, and I'm pretty sure last night was not what both of us thought would happen.

We talked. Properly and without any bickering. We cuddled on the couch. And I just know I fell asleep on him after. And that can only mean one thing.

He brought me to bed.

There are little snippets of how he softly talked to me, but I can't seem to lace the words together into sentences. I don't know if I dreamed it, but I think he talked me into sleep, like a lullaby almost.

He sounded soft, dare I even say sweet. He sounded so different, I'm almost doubting that it was him. But I know it was, because by now, I, sadly, seem to have memorized his voice.

He's crawled his way in, and I'm so disappointed in myself for letting him.

The sound of my phone pulls me out of my heavy thoughts, and it's then that I realize that's also the sound that woke me moments ago. For a short moment, I hope that it's Hero, and I quickly tone down that excitement since we have a game to win.

Eyes on the price, Jo.

I'm therefore quite happy to see it's not Hero, but Densel who's trying to call me. I'm just too late to answer his call, but I also notice that he's texted me.

Densel: Morning Jo. I know we agreed on no working on Sundays for you, but I'm double booked because of the whole John thing. Any way you can help out?

When we talked about my contract, I asked Densel if I could have Sunday for myself, and he agreed because the shop is only open on Sunday once a month. Of course, I have to say yes to his question this time though, if only because I'm also guilty of the fact that John isn't working at Roxy's anymore.

I also think it would be a good distraction. It's Sunday, and I think the guys have a game to play. But as often on Sundays, it will be all chilling at home right when the game is done, and something tells me I shouldn't come even closer to Hero. Yesterday was close enough and now we need distance.

Jo: Hey Densel. Sure, I have no plans anyway. Be there in an hour.

Hitting send, I hoist myself out of my bed. I'm still in the comfy clothes I put on last night, which once again confirms that I didn't see myself to bed.

He even had the decency to keep my clothes on.

***

It's quiet in the house, but when I reach the first floor, both bedroom doors are open. Felix and Hero are out, or they are downstairs. On second thought; Felix probably isn't home. I'm pretty sure he is with Mylena.

Last night, Hero admitted I was right, and thinking back on it now brings a smile to my face. When he reluctantly admitted Felix looks quite smitten, the competitiveness laced through his tone even though I wasn't aware of the battle regarding that subject.

He really does not like losing.

Walking down the second stairs, it stays quiet and for just a few seconds, I'm convinced my roommates are already out. For just those few seconds, I live in the illusion that I have the house to myself which means I'll be able to have a quiet breakfast before heading to work.

Oh, how I wish those few seconds lasted.

But I'm thrown off completely when I walk into the kitchen and see the two people that I -naively- never expected to see together again. Hero is standing near the kitchen counter, only wearing shorts and his hair is still messy from sleep, and glued against his front, is Tiana. She's naked except for a big hoodie that falls over her behind, and she's clearly touching parts of him that suggest what they must have done last night too.