Break My Fall(9)

Lee





I was never drinking again. An out of tune marching band was banging around in my head all day long and I honestly don’t know how I wasn’t fired because I had vomited loudly in two of the ensuite bathrooms I was supposed to clean.

I had been close to a panic attack when I got dressed this morning. My uniform was so tight around my chest that I was in fear of bursting the seams. The length wasn’t much better falling a good two inches above my knees. However, I was covered in the in the important areas so I focused on that slightly positive piece of information.





It was after ten before I got home. I went and changed into my pajamas, then headed to the kitchen, walking past the closed living room door in my bid to get coffee.

The kitchen was spotless. Cam must have cleaned up most of the post party mess and I was grateful. I didn’t think I could deal with the smell of stale beer. My stomach still felt raw from the amount I drank last night. I boiled the kettle and leaned over the counter while I waited. Instant coffee was going to have to do; I didn’t have the energy to prepare anything more lavish.

The living room door opened and I heard voices. I groaned, hoping they weren’t going to have another party tonight. I wasn’t used to the party lifestyle, wasn’t used to these kinds of people.

Cam’s voice called from the living room. “You back Lee?”

I debated whether to answer, before deciding not to. I had gone to bed quickly last night after the whole ‘Kyle incident’ and when I left for work this morning she was still asleep.

I couldn’t answer her questions any more than I could answer my own. I was appalled at myself. Cam had been right about one thing; I needed to stay away from Kyle. He had a very weird thing indeed going on with Rachel and I didn’t want to get in the middle of it. They were so strange; they didn’t behave like boyfriend and girlfriend.

Louder shuffling from the doorway made me realize I had no luck. I kept my back to her and prepared my coffee. So, she was waiting for me to bring it up, great. I took a deep breath and with my coffee cup in my hand I turned to face her. My heart dropped when I realized it was not Cam who had walked into the kitchen. It was Kyle.

Kyle leaned against the doorframe with his arms folded across his chest, his face set in a deep frown. I jumped and my cup slipped from my hand shattering against the kitchen tiles.

“Jesus,” he muttered as he strode toward me. His slipped his hands around my waist and literally lifted me off the ground, moving me away from the broken glass. His touch warmed me and I shuddered. He moved his hands away from me quickly. “You burned?” he asked as he stepped further back from me. I shook my head. He let out a breath, nodding. Walking across the kitchen, he grabbed a broom and dust-pan from beside the back door.

“What are you doing here?” I managed to squeeze out as I watched Kyle sweep up the broken glass. He was dressed much more casually tonight. His black t-shirt rode up his back while he bent and the small strip of tanned skin peeking out from his shirt made my face flame. Kyle did dangerous things to a pair of jeans. I didn’t know if I was turned on or embarrassed. I guessed both. To be honest, he blew me away.

He tossed the glass in the waste bin and turned to face me. “I live here,” he said simply. “Besides, I never miss Thursday night poker with Cam.” He smiled fondly when he said Cam’s name. They must be friends, close friends. Jealousy swirled inside me. Had they done stuff together, other than poker? Cam had a reputation and so did Kyle by the sounds of it. I frowned at the thought. Maybe he was more Derek’s friend. Cam had said he and Derek were best friends. I didn’t care. I shouldn’t care.

Kyle smiled and leaned against the counter; the same counter as last night. “I was away for a few days, didn’t know we had a new roommate. You know Cam well? I’m Kyle by the way.” His smile was friendly, but his eyes were guarded. I wasn’t sure what to make of him. He was behaving as if he hadn’t kissed me last night…maybe he didn’t remember? He could have been drunk.

I eyed him nervously. “Uh, yeah, I just moved here from Louisiana. I’ve known Cam my whole life. We used to live next door to each other. She moved away when I was twelve, but we kept in touch. I’m Lee.” I held out my hand, but he made no move to shake it. Instead, he studied my outstretched hand and burst out laughing. He was laughing at me and worse his laugh was making me blush. My cheeks reddened with embarrassment. What was so funny?

“It’s a little late for formalities princess, considering I was closely acquainted with your mouth last night”