Audrey — Chapter 3 : The Morning After

Oh my god, what have I done.

I wake up naked with Evans Carter sleeping beside me. Good job, Audrey. Meet a guy once, then let him in your bed. Real proud moment.

He’s out cold, breathing easy, looking way too damn cute. Not the point. The point is: how the hell did he even win me over?
It’s barely seven. Too early. Normally I’d sneak out after a hookup, but… it’s my own apartment. Not much sneaking possible when he’s here.

Not only did Evans manage to charm me, he stayed the night. In my bed. In my space. Am I really that easy? No. Definitely not. This is an exception. A hot exception, but still.

I slip out of bed and head to the shower. Hot water, vanilla lotion, hair dryer, the usual ritual. By the time I step back out, Evans is stirring.
He cracks one eye open. “Mornin’.”
“Morning, sunshine,” I say, blasting the dryer.
“What time is it?”
“Eight, maybe.”
He groans and flops face-first into the pillow. “Too early. Why are you awake?”
“This isn’t a hotel, Carter. Get up.”
“Shhh. Five more minutes.”
I laugh. “Fine. But don’t blame me for the noise.”

Sure enough, the dryer does its job and he sits up, yawning.
“Sorry. Not sorry,” I grin.
He stretches. “Early shift?”
“Nope. Don’t go in until noon.”
“Then why torture yourself waking up this early?”
“Because some of us function like normal humans,” I shoot back. “Also, anyone would’ve woken up after last night.”

That earns me a smirk. He slides closer, bold as hell, and cups my ass like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
“Really?” I deadpan.
“You know,” he murmurs against my neck, “we could pick up where we left off…”
I step aside. His lips hang open.
“Listen, Evans. Last night was fun.”
He cuts me off, mocking my tone: “But it can’t happen again because blah blah blah…”
“Hey!” I swat him with the dryer.
“That’s what you were gonna say, right?”
“Well… duh.” I pout, still fussing with my hair.

“Didn’t you enjoy it?” he asks.
I glance at him, cheeks heating. “I did. Okay? It was fun.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“It was a hookup, Evans. That’s it. I don’t even know how it happened, but it doesn’t need to happen again.”

Before I can step away, he grabs me, spins me toward him, and stares right into my eyes.
“You loved it,” he says quietly.
I swallow, try to look away. “I… I did.”
He grins and kisses me. Deep. Hungry. And damn it, I kiss him back before my brain catches up. I melt instantly… then shove him off.
“Evans!” My voice comes out louder than I meant.
He blinks, confused.
“It’s not happening again.” This time, I say it firm.

~

So yeah. Judge me again. Morning after, round two. What is it with this guy?
Fuck.

Again, I end up in the shower. Same hot water, same vanilla lotion, same “what the hell am I doing with my life” thoughts. Round two in less than twelve hours.
When I come out, Evans is half-dressed, pulling on his jacket.
“Done with your shower?” he asks.
“Sharp as ever,” I deadpan. “You know, you could actually use it too. Soap works wonders.”
He laughs. “I’ll shower at home, love. Running late.”

That love word sticks weird in my chest. Not used to that.
“Something happen?” I ask, eyebrow raised.
“Yeah. Long story. I’ll tell you sometime.”
“Right.”
He smirks. “Aw, you look sad I’m leaving.”
“You wish. Been waiting for you to leave since morning.” I roll my eyes.
“Sure you have.” He steps closer.
I turn my head. “Fine, whatever. It was… a good time.”

Before I can finish, he grabs me, pulls me in, and kisses me—soft, uninvited, like he owns the moment. And damn it, I kiss him back.
When he finally lets go, he murmurs, “Don’t say it’s over.”
“We’re not done?” I ask, arching a brow.
“Of course not.”

He smiles, warm enough to make me forget myself for half a second.
I snap out of it. “Listen, Evans—”
“You’re not looking for a relationship?” he finishes.
“…Well, yeah.”
“I know.”
“Uh… what?”
“Relax. I can still come to the bar as your friend, right?”
“I guess.” Yeah, sure. Friends. Friends don’t usually shove their tongues down your throat.
“Good enough for me.” He grins.

His grin is stupid. Stupid and warm.
“You just want sex,” I shoot back.
“True. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want you.”

Okay… yeah. That one hits. I blush like an idiot.
“Don’t worry,” he adds with a wink. “I’ll try to keep it no-strings. Maybe.”

I laugh, but it’s nervous. Normally I’d have kicked any guy out by now, but Evans is different. Confident. Too damn sure of himself. And I’m not stopping him.
He grabs his keys. “Okay, Audrey. I gotta go. I’ll see you soon.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Say it properly,” he teases, hand on the door.
I sigh. “Yes, Evans. I’ll see you.”
“Good.” He flashes one last grin and walks out, leaving me with a stupid smile I didn’t mean to have.

~

“Whatttt—you slept with hot drunky?” Mindy blurts loud enough for the whole bar to hear.
“Hey! Shhh!” I hiss, practically choking on my drink. “Do you want Max to hear?”
“To hell with Max. How the hell did that even happen?”
“I… I don’t know.” I groan.

“Oh please. I saw you two flirting last night. And then poof, both of you vanish after your shift. Don’t tell me…”
“Argh, Mindyyy.” I bury my face in my hands.
“So you did,” she gasps. “Oh my god, you did.”
“Sorry, babe, it’s just… hard to believe,” she says, eyes wide with delight.

I’m already blushing like an idiot when Tara, perched on a stool nearby, chimes in.
“Don’t mind her, Audrey. She’s just jealous.”
“Damn right I’m jealous. Did you see him, Tara? Hot as hell.”
“I bet,” Tara chuckles. “Otherwise our Audrey wouldn’t bother.”
“Shut up. Both of you.”

Tara’s been around since school. These days she’s married, working some fancy pharmaceutical job, doing the whole “successful adult” thing. Good for her. Really, I’m happy she’s sorted her life out. Me? Not so much. She wants to stay in Ashford Hollow forever. I can’t. I won’t. But hey, she’s married, she’s settled. Makes sense for her.

They cackle like it’s the funniest thing in the world. Me, the sarcastic, sharp-mouthed Audrey, reduced to a flustered wreck. God, I need better self-control.

Their voices yank me back when Mindy waves a hand in my face. “Earth to Audrey. So… how was he?”
Tara’s staring too, waiting for my answer.
“I… uh… well…”
Mindy squeals. “That good, huh?”
“Shut up!” I snap, blushing harder.
“I knew it,” Mindy crows. “The second I saw him walk in.”

And of course, perfect timing, Max strolls over.
“What are you girls gossiping about?”
All three of us freeze.
“Well?” Max eyes us.
“Nothing, Maxie. Just Tara’s new boyfriend,” Mindy blurts without missing a beat.
“What?” Tara sputters.
I nearly spit out my drink laughing.
“Thought you were married,” Max frowns.
“She can still date, can’t she?” Mindy grins like the devil.
Max narrows his eyes at Tara. She shoots me a glare before snapping back, “Don’t you have something better to do than harass paying customers?”
“Fine, fine. As long as you’re paying,” Max mutters and walks away.

I snort. “Thank you, Tara.”
“You should thank me,” Mindy winks.
Tara glares at her. “I’ll kill you.”
Mindy just laughs louder, soaking it all in.

We’re still laughing when the door of the empty bar creaks open. And who else but hot drunky himself strolls in.
God must really love watching me squirm.

“That’s him,” Mindy whispers, eyes glued.
Tara’s staring too as Evans walks in like he owns the place. Same brown jacket, same confident stride. And the whole time? His eyes never leave me.

My chest tightens. Breathe, Audrey. It was just a hookup. Just a hookup. So why the hell do I feel like a teenager again?
“Hey, Audrey,” he says, stopping in front of me.
“Hey, Evans.”
And damn it, I’m already blushing.

To Be Continued