Number Eleven

Chapter 9.

Ava POV

Waking up this morning, I can tell something's different. 

When did my bed get so comfy? Why does my pillow smell so good? 

I carefully start to peel open my eyes, expecting to see the light pouring in through my sheer curtains, only to find nothing but utter darkness. Either I changed my cheap curtains out for blackouts when I was drunk, or I'm not in my room.

Oakley! That's the smell. Also bacon? Besides the point, Ava!

Okay, so I'm in Oakley's room. First things first.

I lift the blankets quickly, a breath of relief escaping through my lips when I see the oversized shirt hanging off my torso. That would have been awkward. 

Second, he's not in bed. Third, I really have to pee.

I prepare myself for the cold I'll face as soon as I leave the warmth of this huge bed, and run to the door that I can only hope leads to a joined bathroom, and not some secret s*x dungeon, as fast as I can.  

After stumbling the entire way, I finally make it into what thankfully turned out to be a bathroom. Finding a spare toothbrush sitting on the counter by the sink, courtesy of Oakley I'm guessing, I try to somewhat make myself look like something other than a raccoon that just crawled out of a garbage can.

With the ponytail I luckily still have on my wrist, I sweep my knotted mane into a messy bun on the top of my head and manage to wash away the remnants of eyeliner and mascara around my exhausted green eyes with bitterly cold water.

Now either I put back on my uncomfortable clothes from last night, or I wear his shirt. It's not like it isn't long enough; the damn thing goes down to my knees. Okay, shirt it is.

When I get to the closed bedroom door, I pause with my hand wrapped around the brassy doorknob when I hear Oakley talking to someone.

"Thanks, ma, I know you guys would have been here if you could. I love you too."

Okay, I know you shouldn't eavesdrop, but I can't help it! He's a mama's boy. That's adorable.

When I open the bedroom door, my mouth drops when I see a shirtless Oakley wearing nothing but a pair of baggy grey sweatpants, standing in front of the oven making breakfast?

Oh sweet baby Jesus.

I can't see what he's doing from where I'm standing, all I can see are his incredibly defined back muscles flexing with every move he makes.

Yummy.

A large tattoo on the back of his neck catches my eye, intriguing me with its intense designs as it trails its way over his broad shoulders, expanding until it reaches the middle of his back.

 I'll have to ask him about it later.

"Good morning," I say, laughing as he jumps when I speak, a few colorful curse words slipping from his lips as he does so. 

He turns around,  his face lighting up as he grins at me. "Morning beautiful. Coffee?"

Okay, is this for real or am I being Punk'd right now? Ashton Kutcher come out wherever you are. No way this guy is the real deal.

"Yes please, just black. Also, do I smell bacon?"

He hands me a red mug, a similar shade lighting up his cheeks as I start to get the feeling he's never cooked breakfast for a girl before. There are those damn butterflies again. 

"Yeah, figured you were gonna be hungry. Bacon is one of the best hangover foods. For me anyway."

I walk over and wrap my arms around his waist, placing a kiss on his tattoo. "Thank you."

Woah, when did I become so bold?

I feel him shudder and hear the sharp intake of breath he takes as he pours his coffee. "Uh, yeah, of course." 

It's good to know I affect him when I'm sober too.

I remember everything that happened last night, although I wish I had forgotten some things to avoid the inevitable embarrassment I know I'm going to receive, but I'm also glad I know that I physically affect him like he so clearly does on me.

I feel my face getting warm just thinking about my little ass shake stunt last night.

I pull my hands from around his waist and move towards his raised kitchen table.

Before I sit down, I notice him staring oddly at me. Do I still have black smudges around my eyes or something?

"Do I have something on my face?" I start rubbing under my eyes in hopes of getting rid of whatever's there.

"No, you just look good in my clothes," he winks before turning back around to get our breakfast.

"Oh." I look down at my bare feet and let the blush come rushing back full force and welcome the grin that starts stretching its way across my face.

                                                                                         ~~~

I'm putting the breakfast dishes into the dishwasher when I feel Oakley pull me into his chest and kiss me on the head.  "You busy today?"

"Other than class at 3:30 not overly. Why?" I turn my body around so I can look up at him and lean my back against the counter.

"Let me take you on a date." His voice seems to have gotten deeper as he says this. His arms are on either side of me now, as he leans in closer, closing me in.

The burning intensity in his eyes is enough to ensure he can hear my erratic breathing. I'm panting like a dog in heat for crying out loud.

"Um yeah-yes, sure. Sounds good to me." God I sound like an i***t.

"Yeah?" My heart picks up when I see a giant grin take over his chiseled features — the dimples. Be still my beating heart. 

"Okay, I can take you home in a couple of minutes so you can change? I mean unless you wanna wear just that on our first date?" he winks before leaning down to press a gentle kiss on my cheek.

"Yeah, I bet you wouldn't mind that, would you? I'm just going to put my clothes back on and then we can head out." I give him a shy smile before ducking under his arm and putting some much-needed space between us.

"I definitely wouldn't mind. Just wear the sweatpants I gave you last night, I mean if you want to put them on this time." The cocky grin on his mouth is well deserved. Right, the sweatpants I didn't wear so that I could shake my ass at him. This conversation just got really embarrassing.

"Shut up. I was hot." Okay, not a complete lie.

"Yeah, you were." My face is certainly feeling hot right now.

"You can use my room, I'll change in the bathroom after I shower, just let me grab some clothes." 

He heads to his bedroom after sending me another wink.

After I'm dressed in the sweatpants that I had to roll up five times in order to avoid falling flat on my face and the same shirt from earlier, I sit on his bed and wait for him to be done while scrolling through my phone.

Around five minutes later, he comes strolling out of the bathroom looking incredibly handsome, no surprise there.

He's wearing beige khakis with a tight white long sleeve shirt that leaves no arm muscle to the imagination. Not that I mind. His hair is swept up behind a backward grey baseball cap, and I can smell his delicious body wash from here as it wafts over me.

"Are you done examining me? Do I fit the part?" He lifts an eyebrow and smirks as he watches me practically eye-f*****g him again. I seem to be doing that a lot.

"No actually, I don't think I am," I boldly announce while subconsciously gnawing on my lip. He makes a noise that sounds like a mix between a growl and a moan and I slowly bring my eyes up to meet his. His eyes have darkened in color, and I can feel the s****l tension building between us fast.

Maybe he'll finally pounce on me.

Nope, who am I kidding? He abruptly coughs, throws a Saint's hoodie on, and goes out to the living room. "Ready to go? It's ten so we still have plenty of time."

I sigh before answering, "Yep, let's go."

                                                                                            ~~~

Opening the door to our apartment, I see Morgan and Matthew making out on the couch if you could even call it that, without a care in the world.

"Guys! Didn't you have enough time last night? Please tell me you weren't just about to have s*x on OUR couch!" I shriek while Oakley covers my eyes from behind and chuckles in my ear.

They jump apart and Morgan reaches for the blanket lying beside her before covering them both up. "You could have given us a heads up at least, ass hat," she glares at us while Matt laughs at her embarrassment.

"Bro go get dressed, not everyone wants to see... all of that," Oakley waves his hands in front of Matthew.

As soon as both of them head to Morgan's room to get decent, I tell Oakley to sit anywhere but the couch while I get ready.

Half an hour later, I'm showered and ready to go. Deciding to throw my hair up in a ponytail due to the lack of both energy and time, I yank on a pair of black leggings along with a long-sleeved white shirt and a pair of fuzzy black socks. Not the most fashion-forward outfit, but we're just going skating.

Oakley informed me that we'd be going to the rink since the team doesn't have practice today. I decided not to tell him that I am, in fact, an excellent skater, mostly for the reason being I didn't want to have to bring up that David was the one that taught me.

Plus, I would much rather have him close to me, teaching me, than farther away.

Taking a few deep breaths, I exit my bedroom and walk into the living room.

All three of them are sitting on the couch with Matt and Oakley watching whatever hockey game is on the TV. Morgan is lying with her head in Matt's lap, scrolling through her phone.

"Good to go?" Two heads snap in the direction of my voice before Morgan decides to pop up and throw me a smirk and a thumbs up before returning to her phone.

Oakley quickly stands up from the couch and makes his way over to me before wrapping an arm around my waist and leaning down to whisper in my ear, "You look beautiful."

I shiver from the breath trailing its way down my spine and unconsciously lean my head to rest against his. He pulls back slightly to place a gentle kiss on my cheek before pulling away entirely and grabbing my hand, lacing our fingers together.

You would think I would be used to the shocks I feel every time we touch by now, but I'm so not. 

"You kids have fun, but not too much fun. Don't do anything I wouldn't do, Ava." 

I roll my eyes before trying to drag Oakley out of the apartment as quickly as I can before Morgan tries to really embarrass me.

"Yeah yeah, see you later mom," I shout before rushing us out the door.

"What's the rush speedy? Can't wait to get me alone?" Oakley wiggles his eyebrows up and down as we make our way to his truck.

"In your dreams, hotshot." I keep my head down as I answer in hopes that he won't see the blush I'm once again sporting.

"You're right; we are alone in my dreams." 

Surprised, I snap my head up to look at him, only to get a simple wink along with his cocky smirk just as we reach his truck.

God help me.