Flat 64

Chapter 16

"Lottie, I think you lost your shorts or something." Marley laughs out, with a knowing look that makes me want to shrivel up and die. Hearing this, Jackson quickly turns towards me, his eyes scanning my very exposed lower half, which is covered only by a pillow. He scrambles to get his footing back, before he throws my duvet back over me, checking that I am fully covered. Marley laughs even harder, which forces our attention back to him. "Drew is gonna love this." He says, shaking his head with sarcasm, about to walk out of the room.

"Wait!" "No Marley!" Jackson and I shout at the same time. Jackson rushes to the door, pulling Marley into the room before shutting it behind him. I rush to find my shorts from under the covers before slipping them on and jumping out of bed. Marley sees the door shut, and sighs. Taking the hint, he goes and gets himself comfy on my bed with a cheeky smile on his face. "Guys, I'm flattered and all, but I'm not in the mood for a threesome... Actually, I'd have a go at it with you Lottie, you can find another girl to join us. Not interested in being naked in a room with that guy though," he says, nodding towards Jackson, whose face is slowly turning deadly. I can see how much Marley is enjoying getting a rise out of him, and he grins harder when Jackson takes the bait. "Shut up Marley. You know that's not what you're in here for and..."

"Oh, that's a shame. Another time then Lottie?" Marley buts in, smirking at me. Jackson does not seem to find what he said funny though, and he quickly holds my waist, holding me against him. "Like hell will that happen." He bites back, causing a gasp from me, and Marley's laughter to continue. I removed myself from Jackson's arms, glaring at both him and Marley. "Seriously Jack? He's obviously joking so chill out. And Marley, please shut up or you're going to wake the others up. Wait, what are you doing up anyway? You're usually dead to the world until at least lunch." I ramble away, desperate for this whole situation to just disappear. Jackson only shakes his head and me, sulking slightly. It's an amusing sight, but Marley on the other hand, looks smug as ever, which frustrates me beyond belief. "Well, if you must know, you guys aren't exactly quiet. I mean, I almost came in last night to tell you both to shut up just so I could get some sleep. You're lucky that Drew and Danny's rooms are on the other side of the flat. When you woke me up this morning, I couldn't take it anymore so I decided to join the party." He finishes with a shrug, as if what he said wasn't absolutely mortifying. I know Jackson and I didn't exactly do anything bad last night, but the fact that he could hear us talking or whatever still freaks me out. What if Drew heard him in here? I look at Jackson, filled with anxiety over what we do now. He meets my gaze, equally worried.

"So, how long has this been going on for then?" Marley asks, taking my attention away from staring at Jack.

"Um, well... I-" I huff, frustrated with myself that I couldn't manage to get any words out. My brain is in shambles and I just can't think straight. Jackson takes over from me, saving me the embarrassment of being illiterate. "Not long," is all he says, which causes Marley to roll his eyes. "C'mon guys, you've gotta give me more than that. I want the details. When did it start? Are you together together? Have you fuc-"

"Okay mate, stop." Jackson says, interrupting his humiliating interrogation. I have no idea how much Jackson is going to tell Marley, and I'm a bundle of nerves standing at his side, looking down as I fiddle with my shirt as a distraction. "A couple of weeks ago, I guess." He mumbles, sounding unsure of himself. He looks at me before carrying on, "And no we... we haven't really spoken about that stuff yet" he says, and I know he's referring to the part where Marley asked if we are a couple. Marley hums in response, his face still showing his clear amusement over finding this out. "So are you guys open then? Is that why you're going on a date with that guy from yesterday, Lottie? Very progressive of you guys." He finishes winking at me. I feel Jackson's eyes suddenly burning into me, but I avoid looking at him and keep my attention on Marley. "Mike is just a friend Marley, my boss, actually. I'm not meeting him today for a date, I'm just going for my shift at the bar," I reply casually, also letting Jackson know that it absolutely is not a date. I know it's my fault that Marley assumed it was something more, I didn't exactly correct him yesterday. If anything, I'm grateful that he brought Mike up, considering I completely forgot I had work later today. "Mhm, sure. You're just friends, but you came home in his clothes after staying at his house? Okayyy, whatever you say." Marley rolls his eyes at me, clearly not believing my story. I don't have a chance to reply to him, as Jackson beats me to it. "Stop interrogating her, it's none of your business why she stayed at his house." He says, clearly equally as uncomfortable as I am in this conversation. It's silent in the room for a moment, and I watch as Marley's expression changes, and he's so easy to read, to the point that I can practically see the wheels turning in his head.

"Oh my god. How did I not notice it before?" He whispers out, to no one in particular. Jackson and I look at each other, but neither of us have any idea what he's going on about. Eventually, he fills us in on his apparent realization. "It started when the rest of us were out that night, the night before I walked in on you naked in the lounge." He said with wide eyes. "I was not naked! I had a blanket around me and I... Wait, how did you know ?" I asked in disbelief, the context of what he said only hitting me halfway through me defending myself. Marley looks at Jackson, smirking before turning back to me. "We could all see how much you were avoiding him recently. When I mentioned it to Drew, he seemed oddly pleased but refused to tell me what the deal was. I just assumed he had pissed you off or something, but that's not right, is it?" He says it as more of a statement than a question, but he turns to focus on Jackson and he carries on speaking, not giving me a chance to say anything. "And you're not subtle either you know. Casually asking where she is any chance you get. And knowing all of this now, it's obvious why you stormed out of the lounge yesterday after that guy came round with her clothes. You were jealous." He says proudly, grinning as if he had just solved the most difficult puzzle to exist. I hadn't thought about why Jackson left so quickly yesterday, and the realization has me turning to look at him, wide-eyed. He avoids my gaze, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. Without thinking, I reach out and gently take his hand in mine. Jackson turns to look at me, smiling slightly, before he interlocks our fingers. I watch as his thumb rubs in comforting circles, forgetting that Marley is even here.

"Jesus Christ, well I'm officially tapping out as third wheel." Marley chokes out, standing up from the bed to leave, but I quickly run in front of the door blocking it. We haven't spoken to him about the one thing that we actually needed to talk about. He raises his eyebrows at me in question, but I huff out in frustration, practically in denial over the fact that I would ever say what I'm about to say.

"Marley, promise me something." I say, shakily. He only nods for me to continue.

"Don't tell Drew."