172 - Drunken Lullabies

In an effort to wake up, Matt dug the heels of his hands into his eyes. What the hell happened last night? His head felt like a bag of bricks, not to mention he had a crick in his neck and back. Pushing himself up with his elbows, he looked down at his reclined body and took an inventory of his clothing. Thank God everything was where it was supposed to be. Though he was missing a shoe and his fly was open. Swinging his feet off the side of the bed, he sat up, bringing his elbows to his knees and his face buried in his hands. It had been a long time since he tied one on like this, well not really. Now, if only the room would stop spinning long enough, he could try to make sense of what actually happened.

 

He remembered shutting down Waxy and the bartender having to kick them out and that he had to help Nic and Cara get into the car. That’s when Cara made some sexual innuendo about needing something big and juicy. Come to think of it, the entire night was nothing but sexual innuendos. Arriving at the hotel, they found only the small cafe open, and that’s when Nic offered her room for some food and a nightcap.  

 

Holy shit!!!! Tell me I didn’t. Tell me I’m not. Fuck me! Of all the things! 

 

Afraid of what he already suspected, he slowly pried open the fingers that were covering his face and just as he had thought, there she was strewn out across her bed sideways, her bare feet were hanging over the side. The one good thing was that she, too, had her clothes on. Thank God for small miracles. Searching the room for their other cohort, he didn’t find her. Apparently, she had sense enough to head back to her own room. The when and how she actually managed to do so, he wasn’t sure.

 

To keep the room’s tilt to a minimum, he eased himself up slowly, and he made his way across the room to retrieve his things. Zipping his fly, he then tossed his jacket over his arm, felt around the pocket for his key and phone, then slipped his foot into his shoe. Now the next thing, should he wake her or just sneak out and hope she’d be none the wiser.  The Matty thing would be just to leave, but the Matthew thing would be to wake her to let her know he was going. Walking over to the foot of the bed, he nudged it with his knee. 

 

“Nic.” Nothing. Another nudge. “Nic.” Still nothing. This time when he nudged the bed, he spoke a little louder. “Nic. I’m heading out.”

 

Opening one heavy eye, Nicole tried to focus. Judging from the familiar throb in her temples, she had had too much to drink. Her mouth was dry and when she tried to lift her head, the bed’s comforter stuck to her cheek. Rolling to her back didn’t help matters. Now the ceiling was spinning.

 

“Nic. You okay?” Matt peered down over her listless body.

 

Blocking her face with her arms, she mumbled. “You are a bad influence, Matty Bongiovi.”   

 

“Funny, I can say the same about you. As I recall, you were already two steps ahead of me when we arrived at the bar.”

 

“Ahh, yes, but it twas you who suggested we play ‘never have I ever’.”

 

“Gotta admit it was fun.”

 

“Then yes, not so much now.” Nicole managed to push herself up into a sitting position.

 

“Listen, I hate to ask, but…”

 

“No.” she shook her head. “We didn’t. Though Ariana warned me about you, Bongiovi’s. I have to say you were a perfect gentleman. You’re a naughty gentleman with a side of kink, but no, nothing happened.”  

 

Losing her footing as she tried to stand, Matt reached out and caught her. “Easy does it. First time’s the hardest. It’ll get better.”

 

“What time is it, anyway?”

 

“Four-ish?”

 

“Oh my God, we slept the entire day away.” She let go of his arms and slowly made her way over to the room service cart. Twisting off the cap, she emptied the bottle in just a few gulps. With the Sahara Desert taking up residency in her mouth, she reached for another bottle of water.  

 

“Where’s Cara?”

 

“Gone. Don’t know when, though.”

 

“She was feeling no pain last night, either.” 

 

“Right?” Making his way towards the door, he reached for the doorknob. “Do you need anything before I go?”

 

“Besides a gallon of coffee and a bottle of aspirin.”

 

“I hear that. I’m getting too old for this shit. Thanks again, Nic. I had fun.”

 

“Yeah, I did too, but let’s not make it a habit. My head and stomach would really appreciate it.”

 

“You got it. See ya, Nic.” With the jerk of his head, he was out the door.

 

♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱

 

Jon stood off to the side and tugged the brim of his hat down further. He really wasn’t in the mood to be recognized. He just wanted his coffee and then to be on his merry way back to his bed. They wasted already half the day. Why not spend the rest of it the same way, in bed curled around his wife.  When they arrived back at the hotel early this morning, they ordered up some muffins and bagels, but were too tired to eat once they finally delivered it. Leaving the cart of food, they climbed into bed and fell fast asleep and other than a few bathroom breaks and a bagel in bed break, it was where they were and where he left his half asleep wife. And by half asleep, he meant acting like she was actually asleep. 

 

When she had returned from her most recent trip to the bathroom, a dip of the bed woke him. He waited until she was comfy and cozy, then he slipped over to her side, pressing his front to her back, hoping to incite a late afternoon delight. That’s when she pretended to be half asleep and in need of a proper cup of coffee and not the hotel room service kind before she could entertain opening her eyes. 

 

Oh, the things he’d do for her and a little nookie.

 

So, that is why he was here in line waiting for the slowest barista known to man, hoping that no one would recognize him. He tried texting Matt to come with him, but the bastard never answered his phone. With his day-old stubble, he threw on his ratty sweats and his favorite hat and made his way down to the lobby.

 

“Ricky, I have your venti, Americano, with an extra shot and for Lucy, a venti, white raspberry…”

 

“Yeah. Yeah. Those are mine.” Tucking his head, Jon gave her a nod and quickly snatched up both cups. Now all he needed to do is to survive the walk through the lobby and elevator ride and he was scot free.

 

Trying to balance his wife’s girly drink on top of his coffee, all while reaching for his key and walking down the hall, he didn’t notice Matt and walked smack dab into him. 

 

“Hey, watch it.” Matt joked.

 

“So, now you’re up.”

 

“Did you get me one at least?”

 

Realizing where it was they were standing, Jon arched a crooked brow at him. “Tell me you didn’t?”

 

“Didn’t what? Ask for coffee.”

 

“You know damn well what I meant. That’s Nicole’s room.” He pointed to the door with his chin. “It’s four o’clock in the afternoon and you are still wearing your clothes from last night.”

 

“I’m a big boy, Jonny. I don’t need you telling me what I can and can’t do.”

 

“Usually, I could give a rat’s ass where you’re sticking your dick. But this,” Jon waved a coffee ladened hand between the door and Matt, “not happening.”

 

“Says who?”

 

“Says me, that’s who. I should have known better than leaving you in charge last night. When I said take care of things, I was talking about the check, not playing doctor with the doctor.”

 

“Just because your right-hand girl prefers pussy, doesn’t mean the pussy doctor does!”

 

Jon reared his head back and let out a boisterous laugh that echoed through the hall. “S’okay, we’re done here. No more house calls. Ya got it?”