Wreck Me

By Maria E. Monteiro

After a night of heavy drinking Piper wakes up to find Chase in bed with her. She panics and runs off hoping never to see him again. Little does she know Chase will invade her life in every way possible and become the person she needs the most.

Will they be able to fill the void in each other? Or will their past wreck everything?

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jun 17, 2014
• ISBN: 9780985348144

Book preview

Thirty-Three

Chapter One

Lips on my neck.

The pressure of his body on top of me.

His clammy hands touching my skin.

Why is the room spinning? Someone, please stop my bed from moving. I try to open my eyes but they’re glued shut. Struggling, I finally manage to open one and then the other.

No one is on top of me. Where did he go? I blink trying to focus my vision. Oh my head. It feels like there’s lead in it. The smell of stale beer swims by my nose bringing on a wave of nausea. I think I’m going to be sick.

Without moving a muscle my eyes begin to bounce around the room.

A white ceiling with an unrecognizable light fixture.

Bare windows allowing the cruel bright sunrays to enter.

A chair near the window.

A Yankee’s tapestry on the washed-out blue wall.

This is not my room. Where the hell am I?

Heavy breathing shakes my already frantic nerves. Oh my god, there is someone lying next to me. My throat closes as each one of my muscles turn rock hard. This can’t be happening! What did I do?

I wrap my fingers on the edge of the covers and lift them hoping the stranger next to me does not wake up. Good, my bra and underwear are still on, but where’s the rest of my clothes? And who took them off me? I need to remember what I did last night.

The throbbing pain in my head is making it difficult. My eyes close as I try to recall what happened.

I remember coming to the frat house with Amber and Dixie. I also remember taking my eighth shot of Patron followed by many Solo cups filled with beer. Why did I drink so much?

Another memory swims through my head of this big football player-looking guy with a sexy smile. He and I kept sharing glances with each other all night. His honey brown eyes had me under a trance.

Oh my god, I remember dancing with him. I was grinding on him like a cat in heat. I’m such a fool. My eyes close again as I try to dredge up what happened next, but complete darkness enters my brain.

How the hell did I end up in his room? Did he put something in my drink, or did I allow the alcohol to take my brain hostage and make me do something foolish.

My heart rate speeds up as I find myself at the edge of freaking out. Did we sleep together or not?

I turn to check if he’s the guy I was dancing with last night. His bare back is to me preventing me from seeing his face. This is bad, the worst thing I’ve ever done.

All I wanted to do was let off a little steam, and not think about my issues with my boyfriend Mike. Ohmigod, did I cheat on him? I’ve messed up big time.

I try to sit up but freeze in place as the bed creaks beneath me. Please don’t wake up, please don’t wake up. I peek over and notice he’s still breathing heavily.

I need to get out of this bed and this room. I bring one leg down, and then begin to slide the rest of my body out of bed to the cold hardwood floor.

My skin prickles with goose bumps, the sun is failing its job of providing warmth. I get on all fours and crawl around searching through piles of the mystery man’s clothes for anything that belongs to me. He is so messy. There’s nothing of mine here.

I peek under the bed, but only spot balls of dust and one single gray sneaker belonging to the stranger in the bed. Damn, where can my stuff be?

Your clothes are on the chair by the window, a low deep voice utters. Every hair on the back of my neck rises as the floor drops out from under me.

I lift my head and glare into the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen. A wide smile spreads across his face, and I realize this is not the guy I was grinding with last night. I don’t remember seeing this guy at the party.

Good morning, he says, running his hand through his thick black hair.

Without saying a word I get up and grab my clothes off the chair. I slip into my pink top and jeans.

Are you okay? he asks, sitting further up bringing his fingers to the bridge of his nose.

Did you slip something in my drink? I ask. Not like I expect him to tell me the truth. But it’s the only possible explanation I can think of, because I don’t remember talking to him.

Are you kidding me? He stands up revealing his tight abs. I turn away not wanting to see an inch of him. He’s already gotten to know me in ways only a few people have. I didn’t put anything in your drink. You were drunk and—

And you had no problem taking advantage of that. I don’t even remember talking to you last night, I spit out, glaring at him once again.

As he puts on his black T-shirt and jeans he snaps, I didn’t take advantage of anything! Instead I pulled the asshole, you were all over at the party, off you. He was having trouble understanding what the word ‘no’ meant.

My breath gets caught in my throat. What? I manage to utter.

I was walking by and saw this big ass guy on top of you. You were out of it but were still able to mumble the word no.

My insides cringe at the thought of some monster on top of me. How did things get so out of control? All I wanted to do was spend a nice quiet night at home. Why did I go out with Amber instead?

I kicked him out of the room and wanted to get you out of here. But I really wasn’t in any condition to take you home. So instead I put you in bed.

Who took my clothes off?

I did. But you already had your top and pants half way off.

I still don’t get why you were in the bed with me? I ask, not sure whether he’s telling me the truth or not.

I was making sure no one else came in here to take advantage of you. I guess you can call me your night watchman, he laughs. I don’t find it as funny as he does. Look, we didn’t have sex or anything. I promise. Besides I like my girls conscious and lucid.

I shake my head wishing none of this ever happened. I have to get out of here.

Wait, I’ll walk you home, he says, putting on his sneakers.

No. It’s fine. I don’t live far from here.

I turn to walk away, but he grabs my arm preventing me from taking another step. Aren’t you even gonna tell me your name?

It’s Melissa, I lie, wanting to get away from this whole messy situation.

Nice to meet you Melissa. I’m Chase. Now I have to insist I walk you home.

I said no. I yank my arm out of his grip. Thank you for everything. I’m fine now. I wanna get out of here.

I’m not letting you leave until you say I can walk you home. I can’t believe this guy. Why can’t he just let me leave? Doesn’t he understand I can’t be in here a minute longer?

He steps in front of me and puts his arm across the entry blocking my exit. This is ridiculous. I take a deep defeating breath in and mumble, Okay.

Here. He hands me a red sweatshirt. It’s too cold outside for you to go out like that.

Thanks. I slide into it and welcome its warmth.

Okay. I just gotta use the bathroom and then I’ll walk you home.

I nod.

You promise you’ll wait for me in here?

Yes. I force a smile hoping he believes me.

He turns and exits the room. If he thinks, I’m going to wait for him he’s crazy. I peek out of the doorway to see him enter the bathroom at the end of the hallway. I take off as fast as I can until I’m out of the frat house and two blocks away.

My weak legs force me to stop running. Out of breath my tears begin to seep out of my eyes. My throat burns trying to hold in the loud scream of fear and frustration. If that guy had not walked by when he did last night, I would be living a different story.

My skin burns knowing unwanted hands were touching me. I feel so scared, betrayed, but most of all ashamed. I can’t believe I allowed myself to get into that situation.

Is this the walk of shame I’m witnessing? Lola asks, opening her brown eyes wide as I walk through the front door of our three-bedroom apartment.

Not now. I’m not in the mood. I walk right past her straight into the bathroom and pull out a bottle of aspirin from the medicine cabinet.

I stare at myself in the mirror and notice my black mascara smeared under my gray eyes and my blonde hair full of knots. I look like crap. I swallow the two pills down and turn the water on.

Are you okay in there? Lola asks, knocking on the door.

Yeah, I’m gonna take a shower.

Fine. But when you get out we’re gonna talk. I ignore her and step into the tub.

The hot water runs down my body erasing the smell of that guy’s cologne and stale beer. I scrub my body extra hard. The thought of someone on top of me, not caring that I was saying no, turns my stomach. I know nothing happened, but I can’t help feeling disturbed by it all.

I try again to search my mind for any other memories, but nothing comes up. Maybe I can get Amber to fill in the blanks. First I have to find out what happened to her last night.

My hand hovers over my tattoo of the name Jonah on my lower abdomen and I try everything I can, not to cry. Every time I touch his name the piercing pain I’ve tried so hard to bury resurfaces and nudges my heart. A tear travels down my cheek as I remember his beautiful face.

I know he wouldn’t approve of how I behaved at the party. Or how I behaved since I’ve arrived at Castle Bridge University.

I lower my head allowing my tears to blend in with the cascading water. For him I must promise to stop finding myself in situations where I can get hurt. I need to get my shit together and become the person Jonah needed me to be.

I stay in the shower until my tears no longer want to escape my eyes. The aspirin is beginning to work its magic on my head. I wish it had the same effect on my stomach. All the alcohol keeps flipping things all over the place in there. The last thing I want to do is to throw up.

I walk out of the bathroom and begin to head towards my bedroom. Hey Piper, umm... Lola says, following behind me.

Not now Lola. I’ll talk to you later. I just need to put on my pajamas and go under my blankets for a while.

No I just wanna warn you...

I step into my room and every ounce of air exits my lungs. Mike is sitting on my bed.

Chapter Two

Where have you been? I’ve been calling you all morning. Mike asks, furrowing his brows as he waits for my response. Damn, I must have left my cell phone at the frat house.

I spent the night at Amber’s. Please let him believe me.

He lowers his head. I guess I don’t blame you for not answering my calls. I wouldn’t answer either if I were you. Mike stands up and steps closer to me.

It’s not a big deal. I walk past him to my dresser and begin to pull out my undergarments. I can’t look at him in the eyes, especially after making a fool of myself the other night.

His cold hands land on my shoulders and turn me back around to face him. My back digs into my dresser. Mike slides his hands to my waist and looks at me with his tender sea glass green eyes. You told me you loved me. I think that’s a big deal.

I pull away remembering his response. Yeah, and you told me you weren’t ready for that right now—

Piper? Lola says, opening my door. I’m sorry to bother you guys, but Piper you have a phone call.

Tell’em I’ll call’em back later, I respond not taking my eyes off Mike.

It’s Amber, and she said she needs to talk to you.

I snap my head towards Lola, Amber? I’ll be right there. As much as I want to continue my conversation with Mike, I have to go find out what happened to her last night. Most of all I need to find out why she left me all alone at the party.

I’m sorry Mike, but I have to take this.

Can’t you call her back later? We’re in the middle of something right now, he asserts, shaking his wavy brown hair off his face.

I’m sorry but it can’t. I’ll be right back. I walk out of the room and grab the phone from Lola. Muffling the mouthpart I ask her, Why didn’t you warn me Mike was here?

I tried, but you didn’t give me a chance. He’s been calling all morning. And then he showed up here insisting to wait in your room while you were in the shower. What’s going on between you guys?

I’ll tell you in later. Listen, can I use your room to talk to Amber?

Lola raises her eyebrows. Sure. But you gots lots of explaining to do, she says, with her best imitation of Ricky Ricardo.

Please tell me you’re okay, I say into the phone, closing Lola’s door behind me.

Yeah. How about you?

I feel better knowing she’s fine. But then rage begins to build in my gut. I’m not sure if I would’ve rather her been in some sort of trouble, or anything to explain why she would leave me alone at the party.

I’m okay now. Where did you go last night? Why did you leave me at the party all by myself? I ask trying not to raise my voice.

Me? You’re the one who left.

What?!

Dixie said you left because you were tired. So I went with her to another party.

Did you know how much I was drinking? My heart pounds in my chest with anger. I can’t believe she went to another party.

No. I mean I knew you had one or two shots, but—

Try eight.

What? I didn’t realize you had drank so much.

I don’t get it. Where were you? Why weren’t we together? I ask, trying to remember the last time I saw her at the party.

We were. But then I ran into Charlie and went to talk to him. You disappeared and when I tried to look for you, Dixie told me you already left. She begged me to go with her to this other party because some guy she likes was gonna be there. Why? What happened last night?

I want to yell at her and tell her what a horrible friend she is for not making sure I was really gone. But the part of me that’s ashamed of the way I behaved at the frat house stays quiet. Nothing.

You sure?

Yeah.

Good. Well, let me tell you why I called. I hooked up with Troy Sanchez last night. After a year of chasing him I—

I’m sorry Amber. I’m happy for you, but Mike is here and I have to go deal with him. I’ll talk to you later.

Wait.

What?

Are you mad at me?

No. I have to go. I hang up the phone before she can say another word. I’m more than mad at her. I can’t believe her and that bitch Dixie. She’s still mad Mike chose me over her. I knew it was a bad idea to go out with them.

Piper? Mike says, knocking on the door.

Yeah?

Can I come in?

I open the door and see him smiling making me want to wrap myself in his strong arms and feel safe again.

Do you think we can go somewhere and talk?

I nod. It’s all I want. I need to know where I stand with him. Wait for me in the living room. I’ll go get dressed.

You sure I can’t go and help you? A playful smile appears on his face.

Don’t worry I got it covered. As tempting as that sounds nothing can happen between us until I find out where we stand. The truth is I hope we’re still together and I didn’t scare him away.

I go into my room and slip into a white sweatshirt and jeans and run a brush through my wet blonde hair. I don’t have time for anything else. I want to go out with Mike and continue my life as if last night never happened.

I walk back out to the hallway as Mike steps out of the bathroom with the red sweatshirt I wore home in his hands.

Who’s this belong to? And why is it with your clothes? Mike asks, with his face hard as steel.

My legs go weak as I search my mind for an answer.

It’s Robbie’s. I loaned it to Piper this morning so she could get us breakfast, Lola states, taking the sweatshirt out of Mike’s hands.

I turn to face her and try my best to thank her without making an obvious expression.

She quickly nods. I’m going to owe her a big explanation later.

Oh. I’m sorry. I found it with your clothes and thought...umm... Mike mumbles, turning a light shade of red.

Where are you going? Lola asks, braiding her black hair into a side fishtail braid.

Out with Mike.

But you can’t.

Why not? I ask confused.

Cause we’re supposed to be interviewing people for our new roommate. We can’t go another month without one. Neither one of us can afford to pay any extra to keep this place.

I had totally forgotten. It’s not a problem. You interview them and pick one. I trust your opinion. Besides I owe you, our last roommate was my choice. And look how that turned out, I say, wondering why I’m still friends with Amber. She was a horrible roommate and might be proving to be a horrible friend too.

You’re right. Lola smiles. Hey, but don’t forget you promised you’d go to Robbie’s show with me tonight.

I didn’t forget. I’ll meet you here later. Mike huffs out a sigh of irritation. I know how much he hates waiting. But I have to go now. Good luck finding our new roommate. I grab Mike’s hand and lead him out shutting the door