Chapter 5- Hangovers and Hunger

Abby turned to her side stretching out under the covers of a very soft bed. She reached across the mattress, fully sprawl out when her arm hit skin that was most definitely not her own. Her brain shut off any of its comprehension receptors and she went back into a deep sleep.

When she woke up later there she saw clothes on the floor and that was in a shirt three times her size. The shower had just stopped and stepped out into her room. “Oh, I was wondering when you’d wake up.”

“What?” Abby asked. “Why are you here? Why am I here? Wait…this is my room.”

“You, missy, had far too many hard drinks for someone your size. You plain blacked out on Aaron’s sofa. I took you to your room where I had to take your old shirt off because you vomited all over it.” Ian replied. “It wasn’t pretty, the vomit I mean. You. You’re pretty, but not when you’re completely smashed. Although I think if anyone’s pretty when they’re drunk, then there’s something wrong.”

Abby just stared at him. “So we didn’t…” She pointed at the two of them “…do it.”

Ian shook his head “Never when you’re drunk.” He casually put on a t-shrit before donning boxers. He went back into the bed with her. “Are you alright? No headaches?”

“I haven’t actually physically gotten up yet.” Abby replied. “You’re sure we didn’t have sex?”

“Yes.” Ian responded, laughing slightly. “Why so interested?”

“Erm, nothing.” Abby replied. “You’re positive.”

“Yes.”

“Absolutely positively sure.” Abby stated.

“YES!” Ian responded.

“Shhh, not so loud I think the hangover is kicking in.” Abby groaned as she abandoned all hopes of telling her friends that she slept with an Olympic swim god.

Abby woke again 3 hours later to find Ian sitting on the sofa next to the bed and watching a bit of the women’s weightlifting. “That is most definitely not a woman!” He yelled as he saw some woman lift an abnormally heavy amount of weights. “Oh, good…afternoon Abby.” He said, looking at his watch. “It’s two p.m. Michael’s called twice, and both times you’ve been asleep. He’s visited at least 3 times, those of which you have been asleep and..”

“I get it…I get it…” Abby replied. “Shower, clothes, be out in half an hour.” She groggilly made her way to the bathroom.

When she was done, she stepped out of the bathroom to see Michael sitting at the foot of her bed watching the Women’s Weightlifting with Ian. “Dude…that is the scariest woman I have ever seen.”

“I know, mate! They can’t be real! They’ve gotta be on steroids or something.” Ian agreed wholeheartedly. When the weightlifter on TV dropped the weights, unable to handle it, however, they appeared disappointed.

“Oh, Abby, good, you’re alive, awake, and sober.” Michael grinned at her. “Wonderful handle on the Peirsol screwdriver last night. He adds like four shots of vodka and a teaspoon of orange juice, let me tell ya that.”

“Peirsol is going to get his ass kicked for that.” Abby replied, making a face. She let her sandy brown hair down and sat next to Ian on the sofa. “What are we doing exactly, today?”

Michael looked over at the two, and cleared his throat. “Well, I know that I’ll be leaving. Just give me a call later because I want to have dinner with you, Ab.” He nodded at them as he left the room.

Abby sighed and put her head on Ian’s shoulder. “Is your whole body supposed to be sore after you drink?” She asked as she sat limpid on the couch.

“You did have a lot…especially if Peirsol screwdrivers have as much vodka as Michael said they did.” Ian replied, putting his arm around her. “You must’ve had at least three of them…and a margarita.”

“I’m not drinking till I’m legal.” Abby vowed as she was hit by the hard migraines that accompany hangovers. Ian gave a slight chuckle before he gently kissed her forehead. He felt her settle in and her hand on his knee as she drew circles with her finger on his pant leg. “Ian…”

“Yes?” He asked, expecting something profound.

“I’m hungry.”

Ian laughed to himself and stood up. “Come on, I’ll get you a smoothie. Just grab some sunglasses, and we’ll go for a walk, I know all about detox.” Abby pouted as she sprawled out on the couch. “Do you just want to stay here all day?” She nodded slowly. Ian patted her back and reached for the phone to call room service.

After two hours of eating, lying down, and eating again, Abby’s hangover started wearing off. Unfortunately Ian was worn out after playing “nurse” for six hours total. They were sitting on the sofa once more when Abby looked up at Ian and softly said “Thanks.”

“For what?” Ian asked, looking at her.

“For not leaving.” She replied. “Because I really like having you here…and I think we-“ But he cut her off and kissed her hard on the lips.

Breathless, Abby stared at him wide eyed, a grin tugging at the corner of her lips. “You know,” Ian started, licking his lips, “I’ve wanted to do that since I saw you in that American restaurant a week and a half ago.”

“Well…do it again.” Abby grinned.

Much later, Michael received a cell phone call from Abby saying she’ll take a rain check on their cousin bonding dinner. Michael looked at the time, ten p.m. Putting two and two together, “Ian, the lucky bastard” he said, laughing to himself.