I know better than to drink this much. I’m terrible when it comes to holding my liquor, but Nico insisted. His husband’s friend was at his house so it was the perfect excuse for him to go out. He invited a few of the other full-timers and a part-timer that started after me. Ericka even came along with us. She initially protested, saying she would cramp our style being older, but she was better at drinking than any of us. I, on the other hand, couldn’t stop rambling about my run in with Johnny yesterday.

I didn’t think seeing him would have such an effect on me. I also didn’t expect to see that side of him. He was so confident as he spoke for his work. When Walter tried to poke holes, he didn’t even let the other man finish his argument. But when he spoke to me after a week, his words sounded so harsh. He repeated the same words I had said to him that caused this rift with the intent to hurt me. And it worked. I had no right to be upset. He was abiding by the unwritten rules I had put in place between us. He didn’t fight it. He just did as he was told like a puppy making sure his master didn’t scold him and it bothered me. But for that brief moment when he showed tenderness and concern, I felt a warmth spreading through my body only for Pacey Henley to ruin it. After that, he went back to ignoring me even though he said he wouldn’t. He didn’t text or call. But to be fair, neither did I. Why should I reach out? He can make the first move too.

“Why are men so stupid?” I moaned as I clutched my beer bottle. 

“Aren’t you the one that told him to just ignore you again?” Parker, the other part-timer, asked. “He’s just doing what you asked.”

“I didn’t mean it!” I shouted. “He could have at least answered my text. He wouldn’t even let me apologize.”

“Maybe he needs some time,” Ericka suggested as she rubbed my back. “Sometimes men can be more emotional than us.”

“Yea,” Nico agreed. “I’m sure that guy is trying to give you space. He’ll be all over you again.”

“I don’t need him to be all over me,” I sighed. “I just don’t want him to be mad at me. It’s terrible to say, but he’s so beautiful when he looks sad too.”

“She’s got it bad,” Brandy teasingly whispered to our friends. “She’s so in love.”

“Have any of you met him yet?” Parker asked.

“Met him? I don’t even think she’s called him by his name. She only refers to him as ‘that idiot’,” Brandy laughed. “It’s too bad though. She seemed happier when she talked to him. It was cute when she would try to convince us he was just a ‘friend’.”

“Just a friend,” Nico laughed. “She’s tried so hard to hide him that I wondered if he was real! What you need is for us to set you up with someone. I’m telling you; my husband’s best friend is sweetheart. You’d love him.”

“He’s the one that comes in first thing in the morning, right? He’s always wearing plaid shirts?” Brandy asked. “That guy is super hot. Nerdy as hell, but still hot.”

“Doesn’t he have a kid?” Parker asked with a hint of jealousy in his tone.

“And? I’d call him ‘daddy’ any day.”

My friends continued chatting about Nico’s friend but I wasn’t listening. The more I thought about what they were saying, the more I missed Johnny. Or Seojun as he insisted I call him. Was that still ok for me to do now that we’re fighting? Was how I felt that noticeable to everyone except me? Why did I keep pushing him away? It’s not like I don’t know the answer. I did it so much that it’s become second nature. I needed to push him away. I had to hurt him before he had a chance to hurt me. But I’m still the one getting hurt in the end. I didn’t want to feel this deep, aching pain in my chest anymore. I wanted to drink until I forgot all about Johnny Park.

A few shots and cocktails later, I was nearly at my goal. The only problem was, I couldn’t get home. I doubt I could even tell anyone where I lived at this point. Nico suggested I stay at his place for the night since he had a spare room and would take me back to my car in the morning. He assured me that his husband wouldn’t mind. I met him once and he seemed like a nice guy. He was a tall, sturdy, tanned Latin man. He frowned a lot, making him look stern and almost unapproachable. But the moment he opened his mouth, he was the most playful person you’d meet. Still, I wasn’t sure how he’d feel about a drunk woman crashing in his house. Not that I was in a position to say no. 

The ride to his house wasn’t too bad. It felt longer because of my pounding head. The lights zooming past us were all a blur, making me even more nauseous. For a few hours, I was able to forget my man troubles. But at what cost?

“We’re here,” Nico announced as he pulled into the driveway.

When I got out of the car, I noticed a familiar looking truck across the street. Where have I seen it before? I abandoned the thought because thinking hurt too much right now. The lights in the house were all off, indicating everyone at home was asleep. Nico put a finger to his lips to tell me to stay quiet.

“You can borrow some of my clothes,” he whispered as we tip-toed into the house. “I’ll grab them if you want to go lay down already. Be careful. My husband was supposed to fix the light, but I don’t know if he did so it might be dark.”

“Thanks,” I whispered back. 

I headed to the room that Nico had pointed to. It was nearly pitch black giving it an eerie feel. I tried flipping the light switch on, but nothing happened. Great. I let out a sigh. It’s fine since I can sort of see the corner of the bed. It was probably better for my poor head not to blare any bright lights anyway. As long as I made it there and didn’t fall on the floor, I should be ok.

I hesitantly closed the door, leaving it open a bit to allow some light into the room. I debated sleeping in the clothes I had on, but they reeked of alcohol. I let out a heavy sigh as I stripped down to my bra and panties. Not like Nico or his husband would try anything while I slept. I almost tripped on my way to bed, but luckily still found the edge. I really need to sleep this off. I pulled back the corner of the sheets and climbed in. The mattress was so comfortable, it felt like a cloud.

I stretched as I rolled onto my side, freezing for a moment when my hand collided with something. What was this? It can’t be a pillow. They’re not this warm or fleshy. I walked into the right room, right? I only saw one door and Nico definitely pointed in this direction. A groan came from the other side of the bed and my heart started racing. Pillows don’t make noises like that.

I reached over again. I thought maybe I’d imagined things until I grabbed a very solid and muscular arm. My hand trembled as I moved my hand around only to get a fist full of hardened pectoral muscle. I peeked through squinted eyes and came face to face with a massive forearm with a tattoo covering it. The man next to me turned his head to look at me and I turned pale.

Johnny?!

I let out a scream as I shoved him out of bed before jumping to my feet.

“What the fuck?!” he yelled as he switched on the light on the nightstand beside them. He pulled the comforter up to cover himself. Was he naked?!

I let out another scream as I grabbed the second sheet on the bed covering myself. Instinctively, I grabbed a pillow and threw it at him.

“Ow! What the hell?!” he yelled.

“What the hell are you doing here?!” I yelled back. I was throwing anything and everything I got my hands on. “Why were you in this bed?”

“I was sleeping!”

“Why are you naked?! How did you get here?”

“Stop! Stop hitting me! For fuck’s sake, I was here first! And I’m not naked.” He was about to drop the comforter, but looked down and changed his mind as his face and chest turned bright red.

“Oh my God. Are you…”

“I can’t help that!” He said as he put his hands over his groin area as if to shield it from me more. “I was sleeping. I-it’s involuntary!”

“Are you some kind of pervert?!”

“I’m the pervert?! You climbed into bed with me and started groping me!”

“That was an accident. How was I supposed to know you were in the bed?!”

“How drunk are you that you didn’t notice a six foot four, half-naked Asian man in bed with you?!”

“Fuck you!” I yelled as I threw fhe remote on the nightstand at him.

“Fuck! That hurt!” He yelled as it made contact with his arm.

I didn’t notice Nico and his husband rushing into the room while Johnny was going off on his rant. The couple looked panicked at first, then confused as the large Asian man accused me of molesting him.

“Johnny, I’m so sorry!” Nico apologized. I paused when Nico called him Johnny. “My friend had too much to drink so I said she could stay here. I didn’t know you were sleeping here too.”

“What the hell is going on in here?” The man that came running in the room looked similar to Theo, except he was shorter, broader and had a lighter skin tone. I realized I’d seen him before. He came to the school with Johnny the other day, Mateo.

“I woke up to her grabbing my chest, yet I’m the one getting things thrown at!” Johnny yelled. He was more worked up than I thought.

Mateo pushed his way into the room and walked over to Johnny. “You two weren’t gonna do shit?” he spat. “Come on, Johnny. Let’s get outta here.”

“I didn’t do anything, I swear. I was just sleeping,” Johnny clarified. His massive chest was heaving up and down as he took deep breaths. He must have been more riled up and shocked than I thought. He clutched the comforter as he slowly made his way out of the room.

“You’re good, bro.”

“You just love camping if you’re pitching tents in your sleep,” Theo teased.

Johnny dropped the comforter and lunged at his friend. Mateo stepped in between them before Johnny got to Theo.

“What’s wrong with you?” he yelled. “He’ll knock your ass out!”

“Oh it was a joke. Quit being so sensitive.” Johnny swung a fist around his friend, nearly hitting Theo. 

“Talk to him,” Mateo barked at Nico as he pushed Johnny out of the room.

“I don’t have a shirt on,” Johnny mumbled.

“You also don’t have any pants so your outfit matches. Let’s have another drink and get you back to sleep. Maybe you should cover yourself up. You’re about to poke out of that underwear. Maybe we should get you a bigger pair.”

It quieted down as soon as Johnny and Mateo left the room. I didn’t realize how well-toned Johnny was until now. He always wore loose fitting clothes, hiding that muscular figure. His back, shoulders, legs…they all flexed with each step he took. His boxer briefs were perfectly snug as they covered his private parts, but it couldn’t hide the beautifully shaped a…

“I’m so sorry, Dani,” Nico apologized as he set a pair of shorts and a shirt on the bed. “Theo didn’t tell me he was going to be here. Are you ok?”

I let out a couple of deep breaths as I sat on the edge of the bed and nodded, “I’m ok. Just a little…shocked. Is he ok?”

“Johnny? He’s fine. And harmless,” Theo assured. “He looks intimidating, but he’s a pushover.”

Nico clicked his tongue at his husband swatted his arm. “I can drive you home and pick you up in the morning to get your car if you’re uncomfortable,” Nico offered.

I shook my head. “I can’t put you out like that. I’ll be fine.”

“Ok,” Nico smiled. “The bathroom is out the door, across the foyer, and the door in the middle in the other hallway.”

“Come on, babe, let’s give her some space,” Theo said as he led Nico out of the room.

Once the door was closed, I covered my face with a pillow and let out a scream. What the hell just happened? Does this mean that the friend Nico kept referring to was Johnny? What were the chances that we would be friends with a couple and not know it for two months? We can’t seem to get away from each other. 

After I put on the clothes Nico left for me, I peeked my head out the door to see if anyone was in the hall. I needed to use the bathroom, but I didn’t want to run into anyone - especially not Johnny. Once I saw the coast was clear, I quietly made my way to the other side of the house. I paused for a moment when I spotted Johnny on the couch. He was passed out and there were four bottles of soju on the coffee table in front of him and one more in his hand. He was only in his underwear, slouched on the couch with his legs spread open. He let out a groan as he shifted a little and put his arm behind his head like some kind of alcohol/underwear model.

This isn’t the mild, shy Johnny Park I know. The man in front of me was sex personified. Not that I’m complaining. It has to be illegal to look that provocative. I shook away the filthy, naughty thoughts popping up in my head as I fought to keep my eyes off his lap. I'm just worked up because I’m drunk and he’s basically naked. I don’t trust myself around him right now. I ran the rest of the way to the bathroom and quickly splashed water on my face.

Get ahold of yourself Danielle!

I just need to get some sleep and I’ll be back to normal. I waited for a few minutes before emerging from the bathroom. I looked back toward the living room. Someone must have come out to help Johnny because he had a shirt on now and was laying on the couch with a blanket over him. This looked more like the Johnny I knew – calm, peaceful and harmless. For some reason, this version of him was sexier than naked Johnny.

I couldn’t help but smile as I headed back to the guest room. This weird situation that Johnny and I have found ourselves in was enough to make your head spin. Sure it was tense tonight. We found ourselves in a very precarious situation, but for some odd reason I was still happy to see him. We’ll need to talk this out in the morning, clear the air and maybe start over. We could actually be friends. But is that all I want from him? If I hadn’t pushed him away, with how close we were getting, would we be more than that? More importantly, did I want more than that?

When this night started, I wanted to forget all about Johnny Park. I didn’t want him to cross my mind at all. But it ended with him being the only thing on my mind and in my dreams.