morning mischief [jake, emily, chad ; closed]

As the sunlight streamed through the window, Ruby’s eyelids twitched. She rolled over onto her side, not wanting the sun to force her into waking up. She stretched, yawned, and finally allowed her eyes to open, blinking a few times to adjust to the brightness of the sun. Ruby reached her hand up and rubbed her eyes, turning over to her other side, facing her boyfriend. A small smile flicked across her face as the word crossed her mind. She still wasn’t used to it, and yet at the same time it felt wonderful. It had taken Ruby a while to realise that her days of carefree, no strings attached sex were over. Of course, it had taken just as long for her to openly say that Jake was her boyfriend. It certainly had been a long journey to get to this point, but now that they were here, Ruby couldn’t imagine life any differently. As much as it scared her to say it, let alone think it, Jake was the one. Jake was the person Ruby wanted to spend the rest of her life with. She smiled again, watching her boyfriend sleep. His chest rose and fell gently with each breath.

It was peaceful, lying there watching him. Ruby would never let anyone see this side of her. This side of her was a vulnerable side that people would easily be able to take advantage of. Even Emily had only seen this side of Ruby one or two times. Ruby stretched again, the blanket falling down slightly to reveal her pajamas. Jake had shown a particular liking for these pajamas, so Ruby always made a point to wear them whenever she stayed at Jake’s house. Of course, Jake had shown a particular liking for Ruby’s lack of pajamas, too, but Ruby point blank refused to sleep naked in a house that also contained her best friend. Not that Emily and Ruby hadn’t seen each other naked before (they were best friends, for Merlin’s sake), but it wasn’t like they were so comfortable with each other that they could walk around naked in front of one another.

Ruby snuggled closer to Jake, gently placing one arm over his stomach. She lifted her head slightly, planting her lips firmly on his cheek. “Wake up”, she said softly, before a mischievous smile appeared on her face. Ruby pushed herself into a sitting position, listening carefully. She could hear Emily somewhere in the vicinity of the kitchen. Smile still on her face, Ruby manoeuvred herself so she was straddling her boyfriend, one leg either side of him. She placed her hands gently on his chest, and leaned forward, planting her lips on his. “Time to wake up”, Ruby said.

Jake was swimming, the front crawl, in and out of the water. He could see the end of the pool and he was trying to get to the end but the more he swam the further away he got. As if he was being dragged backwards. He went from front crawl to the butterfly. His arms moving the same time as his legs as he leapt out of the water and back in but still he was getting further and further away. Jake was exhausted, he began slowing down, his arms and legs aching. He was trying to stay afloat but it felt like he'd been trying for days, he started struggling to stay above water, Jake was beginning to sink, he couldn't breath- Jake suddenly opened his eyes, the light streaming in. He yawned, his arm stretching out as he rubbed his eyes. Someone was on top of him. He'd had a weird dream and it was far too early to wake up.

Jake felt something touch his cheek, “Wake up”. Someone had kissed him. Ruby had just spoken to him. Ruby had stayed the night. He groaned, "I'm awake!" Jake grumbled, Ruby was sat on him, if she stayed she was probably in those really nice pajamas he liked. Jake reached out a hand, his eyes still closed trying to adjust to the light. “Time to wake up” Jake sighed, reaching out in front of him until he touched her leg. "I'm too tired, Ruby" It wasn't as if he didn't love his girlfriend, Ruby had stayed the night and he'd fallen asleep really late and he just wanted to lay in a bit longer.

He finally opened his eyes, "Can't I just sleep a bit longer?" Jake reached out another hand, wrapping them around her and pulling her towards him. She was wearing those hot pajamas. He pushed her off and rolled over. It was very difficult, he wished he was more awake but it was way too early in the morning.

Ruby smirked as she felt her boyfriend stir underneath her. Her smirk faded as she heard him groan. Well, that was not a noise she was accustomed to when she woke someone up. “I’m awake!” And that was certainly not a tone she was accustomed to. Ruby’s eyebrows drew together in a frown as Jake reached his hand out until it touched her legs. Maybe they were getting somewhere after all. “I’m too tired, Ruby.” Seriously? He was seriously going to pass this up because he was “too tired”? This was not good. This was not how their relationship was supposed to end up. Not Jake and Ruby. No. Their relationship was always supposed to be spicy. They were always supposed to be having fun. They were getting much too comfortable with each other if Jake thought it was okay to reject his girlfriend for sex! Ruby was panicking. This was not something she was used to. Panicking. Over a boy no less. If she hadn’t been in a relationship, she could be getting sex. She could be getting sex from a willing participant. Jake finally opened his eyes. Ruby was glaring at him with all her might. She would not be rejected, damn it! “Can’t I just sleep a bit longer?” Ruby’s glare intensified, not even letting up when Jake wrapped his hands around her and pulled her towards him.

Ruby let out a small “Oof!” as Jake pushed her off of him and rolled over. Ruby sat up and pushed her hair out of her face. "Fine", she said. She climbed out of the bed, and pulled a robe on. "Fine!" Casting one final glare at her boyfriend (who was asleep again, mind you), Ruby threw the door open and stepped out into the hall, slamming the door shut behind her. She was being childish. But Ruby was not used to being rejected. Especially by Jake. “EMILY!” she shouted, walking down the stairs as fast as she could. Ruby needed girl time. She knew Emily wouldn’t want to hear about hers and Jake’s sex life, but Merlin be damned, Ruby needed her best friend. “I would just like to point out how much relationships suck!” Ruby said as she rounded the corner into the kitchen. She’d been busy with tying her robe up, so when Ruby finally looked up, she was greeted with a surprise. Chad was standing in her boyfriend’s kitchen. Chad the bartender was standing in her boyfriend’s kitchen.

Standing next to him, looking very guilty, was Ruby’s best friend. “Evidently, not all relationships suck”, Ruby said, raising an eyebrow. Chad grinned at her, though something was off about that grin. Ruby sighed. Chad. Now there was a man who would have been willing to have sex with her.

Emily smiled, it was getting late and she was still at The Drunken Elf. She had had quite a few firewhiskeys, talking with Chad about anything that came to mind. She was sat in one of the booths, half a glass of firewhiskey in front of her. The pub was closed and it was getting late, she really should've been getting home. Although Ruby and Jake were having their couple time, Jake was so quick to get Emily out of the house and Emily had no idea where to go. The Drunken Elf was the first place she thought of and Chad was happy to talk to her. It was quiet and everyone had gone.

Still, she knew she had drank alot and needed to get to bed before she started embarrassing herself. Emily stood up from the booth, stumbling a little. She brought a hand to her head, the floor was wobbling all over the place. Arms wrapped around her holding her steady, Emily turned around to find Chad smiling at her. She smiled back, and reached a hand up towards his shoulder. He was annoyingly goodlooking, and he knew it. Chad reminded her of Jake so much, just in his personality, the way he was with girls. He knew how to get them. Which was another reason she knew she had to get home. Emily didn't want to be prey to the advances of Chad Wyler, he had said she'd make a good topless model in the past, that was already embarrassment enough for her.

Emily's eyes became blurry, losing focus and she leaned towards Chad. Emily was curious though, what would it be like to kiss Chad Wyler. Amazing surely? Before she knew it, they were attached at the lips, and they were going towards Poppy Lane. Emily had the key in her hand but she just couldn't get it to go in the lock, Chad was a little more coordinated. He pushed the door open with ease and Emily pulled him through, sliding her black bow flats off. She leaned towards him, kissing him again, Chad turned her around, and began walking up the stairs with Emily in front of him. He pushed open Emily's door, Emily took off her small black jumper. Chad slipped off his jeans. Emily was rather drunk.

Emily didn't want to wake up, a thumping in her head she stretched out her arms as she let out a yawn. As her arms reached out at her sides, her left hand came into contact rather quickly with something soft and warm. Her eyes suddenly opened as she looked to her left and saw someone lying next to her. "Crap." Emily rubbed her eyes, sitting up and trying to think back to last night. The guy was Chad, the hot guy in her bed was Chad Wyler. At least it wasn't some ugly guy that had dragged her back to his place, although Chad would be loving this. Emily had never done this before, a one night stand. It wasn't her type of thing, she liked to know the guy before they did something like this. Well. Technically she knew Chad.

Emily scratched her leg and peeked under the covers, the shock was evident on her face. Something had definitely happened last night. She felt a little used, they both couldn't have been that drunk, surely? Emily climbed out of bed, her body ached, her head was banging and she felt like she couldn't even open her eyes properly. Emily grabbed her robe hanging on her door and wrapped it around herself. It looked like Chad was sleeping, at least he'd had a good night. Right by her foot was his jeans, right by the door. Maybe things had moved a bit quickly. Emily had flashes in her head from last night, nothing too interesting. She picked up his jeans, throwing them onto her bed and hopefully in the general area where his crotch was located.

Emily pulled open her door, slamming it behind her. He should be awake by now, if the pain he should be feeling wasn't painful enough. She stomped down the stairs, she was desperate for coffee.

It was a quiet night at The Drunken Elf. Chad was standing by himself behind the bar. He’d sent Cassie home for the night. He hadn’t needed her, and as much as she argued against it, the girl deserved a night off for a change. Chad could handle the bar by himself. He was in the middle of a conversation with a regular drunk. Something to do with his dog not wanting to be friends anymore. The usual drunken banter. Chad rubbed his eyes. He was having a hard time staying awake with this guy talking to him. He heard the door to the pub open, and instinctively looked up to see who it was. At first, Chad looked away, not really interested in whoever it was. Then he did a double take. Was he seeing things? Was that Emily walking into his bar? A grin slid onto his face as Emily slid into one of the empty booths. The waiter walked over to Emily to take her order. He came over to Chad. “She wants a firewhiskey.” Oh really, now? Chad shook his head as he filled the glass, sending it off with the waiter. This could turn into an interesting night after all.


Chad had not planned for things to go this way. There were at least five empty glasses in front of him, and almost the same amount in front of Emily. He had come over to talk to Emily when the last drunk had left. Emily had already downed two firewhiskeys by then. Still, they’d had a coherent conversation, and Chad was surprised to say that he’d enjoyed himself. He watched as Emily stood up, stumbling a little as she did so. Shaking his head, Chad stood up. He was unsteady on his feet, though not as unsteady as Emily was, it seemed. With a small smile on his face, Chad wrapped his arms around the girl, steadying her. Emily turned to face him, smiling back at him as her hand reached up towards his shoulder. And then she was leaning towards him, her eyes losing focus. And before Chad knew what had happened, their lips met.

Somehow, they had made it back to Emily’s place. It hadn’t been an easy journey, Chad remembered that much. They had made it to Emily’s room without incident, so Chad counted that as a drunken victory. All at once, Emily was removing her clothes. Well, if that’s how she wanted things to go. With a speed that surprised Chad in his drunken state, he removed his jeans. And then they were in bed.


He could feel someone stretching beside him. He heard a yawn, and then a warm hand came into contact with his chest. This wasn’t an odd occurrence. He didn’t even bother opening his eyes. Chad figured he’d had too much to drink and had gone home with some random bar slut. That was how things usually played out. He rolled over onto his stomach, snuggling his head deeper into the pillow he was currently cuddling. He felt whoever was next to him sit up, and figured they were going to leave quietly. They usually did. Bar sluts were good like that. They had sex, and then bailed the next day. “Crap.” Well, that wasn’t a regular thing he heard. Chad snapped one eye open, and instantly regretted it. The light burned his eye. He snapped it shut again, now aware of the thumping in his head. Ah, the hangover. Not his favourite part of drunken sex. He felt the blankets move away from him for a moment, and grinned slightly. Whoever it was, couldn’t resist a peek...

Finally, whoever was next to him scrambled out of the bed. He felt something hit him, and finally opened his eyes in time to see a familiar, petite blonde girl slamming the door behind her. Chad cringed as the door slammed, pressing a hand to his forehead. That was a less than graceful exit. He yawned, stretched, and sat up, allowing the blankets to fall away from him. Chad stood up, and looked around. Well, this certainly wasn’t his room. He glanced around for his underwear, and couldn’t see it. Commando it was. He pulled on his jeans, his eyes spotting something as he did. Chad walked over to a dressing table and picked up a moving photo. In it was his cousin, Jake, Jake’s girlfriend and... oh no. It couldn’t be. Chad put the photo down and pulled the bedroom door open. He followed the hall to the stairs, and walked down them, making his way to the kitchen.

Sure enough, standing there (in a robe, mind you) with a cup of coffee in her hand was Emily. Oh, shit. Chad shuffled into the kitchen awkwardly. “Morning”, he said softly. If his head was pounding, he couldn’t imagine what Emily’s head was doing. “So listen, about last night –” Chad was interrupted by the second door slam of the morning. He cringed, hearing footsteps coming down the stairs. “I would just like to point out how much relationships suck!” Uh oh. Chad watched as Ruby came into the kitchen, busy tying up her own robe. Oh jeez. She finally looked up, and came to a stop when she realised that Chad was in the kitchen. “Evidently, not all relationships suck.” Chad grinned awkwardly, shifting away from Emily slightly. Ruby. Now there was a girl he could have sex with and not have conflicted feelings about it in the morning.

Jake had fallen back to sleep in seconds after pushing Ruby off of him. The door slammed and he jumped up, groaning. Ruby always knew how to make a scene. He could hear her shouting, why did she have to always fly off the handle. Jake slowly got out of bed, his eyes half closed, as he slipped his boxers on. "Jeez Rubes. Could you be anymore louder. I say no and it's a total sin." He grabbed his jeans and popped them on as he walked out of his bedroom. Ruby's clothes were all over the floor and he began jumping over them to just to stay upright. Sliding his jeans up, he buttoned them and walked down the stairs, hearing his girlfriend begin moaning about how relationships suck. Times like this, he wished he wasn't in a relationship too. "I'm tired Ruby. Why can't you just wait a little." Jake rubbed his eyes, walking down the stairs to the kitchen. He opened his eyes expecting to see Emily there, but not the person next to her.

What the hell was Chad doing here. He frowned instantly, he didn't need to guess to know what Emily got up to last night. "I told you to stay away from Emily, didn't I?" He directed the question to Chad with a shake of his head. Now Chad would just treat Emily like crap, like all the other girls and he would have to deal with all the tears. "Drunk last night Em?" He crossed his arms, looking at Ruby as he yawned. "Thanks for the tantrum Ruby." Jake couldn't be bothered at this time in the morning. He wished that he could've just stayed in bed and he would never have known that Chad was here.

"Of all the people on the whole of the island, you had to get with Emily!" Jake walked towards the coffee pot, getting a mug out of a cupboard and pouring some coffee into it. "I love hangovers, being woken up when I'm too tired, but what tops it all off. My best friend getting with my cousin. That's just the icing on the cake." He flung a hand out to emphasise his point, then picked up his mug and sat down on the sofa. Jake didn't know what to do. It was awkward. He was annoyed. At the both of them.


Emily gulped down her coffee, holding the half-filled cup in her hands and leaning against the counter when Chad appeared. “Morning”, Emily smiled, "Morning", she pointed up to the coffee mugs in the cupboard, "Just help yourself." Emily didn't want this to be awkward, but it could'n't have been any more awkward. Chad was Jake's cousin, she would see him all the time, especially since she was bartending and all. “So listen, about last night –” He stopped as Ruby came storming down the stairs talking about relationships, until she saw Chad. Emily felt like a teenager getting caught, she felt guilty even though she had no reason to feel guilty!

Emily glanced towards Chad, noticing the look on his face. He moved away from Emily and she felt a little rejected, her shoulders slumped as she looked down at the mug she was holding. Jake was so right about Chad. With excellent timing, Jake came down the stairs, "Drunk last night Em?" Emily nodded, "Must've been." She shrugged. It was done, she couldn't go back and change it now. Just have to get through the embarrassment. "I love hangovers, being woken up when I'm too tired, but what tops it all off. My best friend getting with my cousin. That's just the icing on the cake." Emily cringed, leaning back onto the counter even more as she wished she could just disappear into the ground. She didn't even know what to say.

Ruby stood in the kitchen entrance, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed. Her eyes were fixed on the scene before her, eyebrows raised. Emily looked guilty. Chad looked uncomfortable. Now why would that be? She heard footsteps coming down the stairs, and then her boyfriend was in the kitchen. This would be interesting. “I’m tired Ruby. Why can’t you just wait a little.” Because, Jake, I wanted sex now. Ruby fixed her boyfriend with an icy stare, but he didn’t seem to notice. He had just realised that Chad was in the kitchen. Shirtless, no less. “I told you to stay away from Emily, didn’t I?” Oh, for crying out loud. Ruby uncrossed her arms and pushed herself away from the wall, brushing past Jake as she grabbed herself a cup of coffee. “I love hangovers, being woken up when I’m too tired, but what tops it all off. My best friend getting with my cousin. That’s just the icing on the cake.” Ruby watched with amusement as Jake grabbed his own coffee and walked into the living room. “Well, Em, I for one am impressed with your choice of bedmate”, Ruby said, nodding approvingly at Chad.

Ruby took a sip of her drink, and placed it down on the bench, which she then leaned against. “So, Chad, did you have to drug her?” Chad looked horrified at the idea, and Ruby laughed. “Ah, to be young and relationship free...” she said wistfully. Ruby picked up her mug and walked into the living room after Jake. “How long are you going to be angry at me for wanting sex?” Ruby asked, raising her eyebrows at her boyfriend. She set her mug down on the coffee table and sat beside her boyfriend. “I would just like the point out, if the roles had been reversed, you would be as pissy as I am right now”, Ruby said. It was true. Jake was a male, and when they were rejected, they became pissy. “So, you can either forgive me now and we can move on, or you can continue being angry at me for waking you up and I can go home. Your choice.”


“Just help yourself.” Emily pointed to the coffee mugs. Chad nodded and grabbed one, filling it with coffee. Merlin bless her, she was trying not to make this awkward. Chad watched Ruby, but she didn’t say anything. She was just leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, examining them. Chad shifted uncomfortably under her gaze. And then he heard footsteps coming down the stairs. Oh, shit. “I told you to stay away from Emily, didn’t I?” Chad cringed as he heard Jake’s voice, watching as Jake came into the kitchen. “Oh sure, blame me. Because it couldn’t have possibly been Emily who charmed me into going to bed with her”, Chad said. “Sorry Em.” He relaxed slightly as Jake turned his attention to Emily, and then Ruby. Apparently, Ruby’s little entrance had been the result of a tantrum she’d thrown upstairs. Intriguing.

And then, of course, Jake turned his attention back onto Chad. “Of all the people on the whole of the island, you had to get with Emily!” Chad shrugged apologetically. “I love hangovers, being woken up when I’m too tired, but what tops it all off. My best friend getting with my cousin. That’s just the icing on the cake.” Chad stood out of the way as Jake got his coffee and left the kitchen. He turned back to Emily, opening his mouth to speak, before realising that Ruby was still in the kitchen. “Well, Em, I for one am impressed with your choice of bedmate.” Ruby nodded approvingly at Chad, and he grinned again, this time there was no awkwardness to it. “So, Chad, did you have to drug her?” Chad’s grin became a look of horror, and Ruby laughed. “Ah, to be young and relationship free...” Chad sighed in relief as his cousin’s girlfriend left the kitchen, and he once again turned to Emily. “I didn’t drug you”, he said, obviously thinking that Emily might believe Ruby.

“Oh sure, blame me. Because it couldn’t have possibly been Emily who charmed me into going to bed with her” As if that would ever happen, Emily couldn't charm anyone, let alone someone like Chad. He knew all the tricks, Emily wouldn't have been able to charm Chad! Even with his apology, she was annoyed that he was blaming her, probably couldn't admit for going for someone like her. Emily was alright with guy friends, but boyfriends were a completely different topic. Chad wasn't someone to be committed to anything except that pub and Emily wasn't looking for anything right this moment. She was still getting used to being out of school!

“Well, Em, I for one am impressed with your choice of bedmate”, Emily nodded, a half smile on her face. She wondered if Ruby and Chad should just get together if they were so attracted to each other. Ruby was far more better looking than she was anyway. Long legs, gorgeous hair, drop dead gorgeous from head to toe anyway. “So, Chad, did you have to drug her?” Emily looked up from her mug, horrified. She didn't know whether to be annoyed at Ruby or at Chad, the way she was feeling well, the idea wasn't completely impossible.

“Ah, to be young and relationship free...” Emily scoffed, as if Ruby had any real relationship problems. She felt sorry for Jake, Ruby was wanting all the sex and poor Jake just wanted a sleep. Ruby left the kitchen, leaving Emily and Chad by themselves. “I didn’t drug you", Emily shook her head, "It's ok, I just had a lot to drink." She sighed, and looked at him, "I'm sorry." Emily bit her lip, putting her mug in the sink, she eyed up Chad from the corner of her eye. Emily had been trying to ignore that, the entire time he was down here, now there was nothing to keep her properly distracted. "I didn't plan on all this, I should've just gone to Alec's or something" Turning towards Chad she started remembering last night, staring straight through him, flashbacks startd appearing in her head.

Chad sitting down with her, talking for all that time, getting back to hers. Getting up to her bedroom, stripping off. "Oh...wow" She shook her head, they had been awake for a long time. "Chad, I think you and I just want to forget about last night? Am I right?" Emily looked at Chad nervously, she didn't want Chad remembering last night. He'd already seen her without anything on too many times, they weren't even in a relationship and Emily did not do stuff like this.


Jake heard Ruby follow him in to the living room, “How long are you going to be angry at me for wanting sex?” He shook his head, she didn't understand what he was saying. "Rubes, I didn't say I didn't want sex. I said I wanted to sleep." Jake rolled his eyes, girls, they were so stupid. “I would just like the point out, if the roles had been reversed, you would be as pissy as I am right now”, Jake couldn't help laughing at that. "Ruby! If the roles had been reversed, you'd still be sleeping right now!" He was half the diva she could be, “So, you can either forgive me now and we can move on, or you can continue being angry at me for waking you up and I can go home. Your choice.” Jake looked up at Ruby, she was being so extreme.

"Ruby it's up to you whether you want to go home or not. I'm tired and I'm not about to do anything apart from sleep and drink this coffee right now." He wasn't going to be pushed around, made to make a decision whether she stays or goes so Ruby can blame it on him later.

“Rubes, I didn’t say I didn’t want sex. I said I wanted to sleep.”

Same thing, Ruby thought. “Ruby it’s up to you whether you want to go home or not. I’m tired and I’m not about to do anything apart from sleep and drink this coffee right now.” Ruby sighed. She really hated that their relationship had become like this. In the beginning, they’d been able to have fun. Maybe Ruby had overstayed her welcome. They’d been spending way too much time together. They needed space. They needed a break. That was definitely it. They needed time apart. Ruby nodded absentmindedly to herself. She slipped her hand into Jake’s and snuggled closer to him, resting her head on his shoulder. She did love the person beside her. Ruby had never thought she’d be able to admit that, but here she was, admitting it. She loved him. She’d always loved him. And that scared her more than she cared to admit. Ruby gently squeezed Jake’s hand, pushing herself up slightly to kiss him on the cheek.

“Okay”, she said, a small smile on her face. “Go back upstairs, and sleep. I’m going to take a shower, and go home.” She kissed him again, this time on the lips, to show that she wasn’t mad. “I’m sorry I overreacted.” Ruby stood up, wrapped her robe around her and headed back up to Jake’s room. She couldn’t help thinking that things hadn’t been the same since she’d seen Jake on the beach with Gabrielle.


“It’s okay, I just had a lot to drink.” Which, Chad thought, could also be blamed on him seeing as he was the one serving her the drinks. Chad sighed, a frown on his face as he watched Emily. “I’m sorry.” What the hell was she apologising for? It wasn’t as if she’d forced him into having sex with her. Chad put a hand to his forehead. This was way too much thinking on his part. He was used to the bar sluts. They required less conversation. They did the nasty, spent the night (sometimes) and left the next morning without a fuss. This was just too much drama for a one night stand! “I didn’t plan on all this, I should’ve just gone to Alec’s or something.” Emily turned towards Chad, and he watched as realisation appeared in her eyes. She was beginning to remember what had happened the night before. Being as accomplished a drinker as he was, Chad remembered everything. He couldn’t bypass the hangover, unfortunately, but until he found a potion that could stop that, he would have to deal.

“Oh...wow.” Wow was certainly right. But now, was that a good wow? A bad wow? Was Emily regretting this? Probably. It was usually the girls who regretted drunken sex. Chad took a mouthful of his coffee, finishing it as Emily continued to remember the previous night. “Chad, I think you and I just want to forget about last night? Am I right?” Chad had been prepared to say yes, but then she looked at him. No. Chad didn’t want to forget about last night. Did he? No he didn’t. “I... don’t think so?” Chad said, frowning. He shook his head firmly. “No. I don’t want to forget about last night. I’m sorry you’re feeling so crappy about it right now, and I’m sorry I had to be a part of you feeling so crappy about it right now, but there’s something about you, Emily. I don’t know what the hell it is, but it’s there.” What the hell was Chad saying? Was he still drunk? Yes. That had to be it. He was still drunk, and this was his drunken self talking. Not him. Maybe Emily would see that and disregard everything he’d just said.