I don't know if I should be thrilled or annoyed right now. Who am I kidding? I have a feeling Charlie could never annoy me. Even if he tried to. Even in his drunken state right now. Charlie's quite adorable, which is weird to think about since he's a grown man.
My thoughts aside, I make my way to his bed, carrying him bridal style. Yes, bridal style.
Charlie passed out not long after he puked his guts out earlier. I honestly thought I was about to have a heart attack when he slammed his head on the table, but he mumbled something, and I counted it as him still being alive. Seriously, this guy. Everyone in the bar could probably tell he isn't a big drinker, so why did he have to go and order a damn Long Island Iced Tea? And two of them at that! It was quite amusing to observe, though. His face almost instantly reddened after one glass, and he occasionally started giggling at Louis' awful jokes. I liked seeing him all smiley like that. I just wish he didn't have to get wasted for it. And then gosh, his big bright eyes. At first glance, I always perceived Charlie's eye color as dark as obsidian. Sometimes, I even believed he just had a big iris. But no. Under the illuminated lights of the bar, when he looked at me with those darn puppy eyes, I saw a shimmer of hazel brown and streaks of gold. I didn't even listen to his question at that time. Charlie's beautiful. There's no doubt.
After I had set Charlie down and made sure he was comfortable, I headed to the kitchen.
Nothing really changed, not that I was expecting.
The same anime posters are still on the wall, but his place does seem a little messier since the last time I was here. Usually, it's my pet peeve, but for some reason, I don't care when it comes to Charlie. He can be as messy as he wants to be and I wouldn't mind.
I return to Charlie's side, sitting on the edge of the bed as I hold a glass of water.
"Charlie. Drink some water."
Charlie only lets out a soft groan and starts mumbling to himself again as I try and nudge him awake. I chuckle and set the glass down, knowing I can't make him drink it. Or can I? I could just take a sip and then… No. Let's not go there.
I get up and stare at the sleeping beauty for a good minute or two before turning around to leave.
"Wait! Don't go."
My feet come to a halt, and I turn back around to see Charlie in a somewhat upright position, his eyes open to mere slits. But he's looking straight at me with that red face of his. I never knew the asian flush was a real thing, but here I am, staring at it.
I move closer again. "Why not?"
"I don't want you to go yet, Mister handsome."
"Mister handsome?" I laugh. "Charlie, do you even know who you're talking to right now?"
Charlie nods, his eyelashes fluttering.
I move an inch closer. "Then who are you talking to right now? Who is it that's in front of you?"
He bites his bottom lip and I swear that alone did something to me I don't care to admit.
"Blake. You're Blake." he finally breathes.
I nod, tilting his chin up with my fingers. "That's right."
I don't know what I was expecting, but I definitely didn't expect Charlie to lean into my touch, his skin burning hot against my fingers. It really catches me off guard and I pull away, stepping back. Charlie momentarily sways forward and then backwards, crashing onto the mattress.
"Crap, sorry. Are you good?" I say as I start to reach out, but quickly stop myself.
For a moment, Charlie doesn't answer or react and I assume he fell back asleep. But to my surprise, he springs back up and starts undressing. He's literally stripping in front of me. Right this second. Holy shit.
"Charlie!" my voice comes out ragged. "What are you doing? Why are you taking your clothes off?"
"It's hot in here." he answers, tossing his hoodie aside.
Oh, right. What was I thinking? Obviously, he was just feeling a little stuffy. Honestly, I'm feeling just as stuffy right this second. I cast a quick glance at Charlie and seeing that he settled back down in bed, I make a rapid beeline to the bathroom.
"Fucking hell…," I mutter under my breath as my gaze falls down to my crotch. Junior's up.
What am I? A kid in adolescence?! I'm seriously turned on by a little exposure of skin? That's impossible. But then again, it is Charlie we're talking about. And he has been making me feel things these past few weeks. I don't get it. I seriously don't. Charlie is not my usual type. He really isn't. But junior down there thinks otherwise. This is too much thinking, I need another drink. Something.
I emerge from the bathroom and let out a sigh of relief when I spot Charlie fast asleep. I am considering tucking him in with his fluffy Naruto-themed blanket, but I don't want to risk another reaction, so I just head straight out.
I grab my phone and dial one of the guys. "Are you guys still at the bar?"
I'm met with Louis' condescending voice as he answers. "Of course we are. The night's still young. Come back, tiger."
I hang up and rush out, wanting to calm down or get some sort of release. Especially this little rascal down there needs to calm down. Or should I just get a hookup tonight? Get it sorted out like always whenever I feel horny. My thumb hovers over some numbers I could hit up, but I'm frozen in place. I can't bring myself to call any of them, which has never been a problem before. Seriously, what's going on? I groan and stuff my phone back in my pocket as I head back to the bar.
In the end, I didn't drink as much as I wanted to or at least expected to. A certain face kept on popping up in my mind the whole time.
My mood after I dropped Charlie off was palpable and the boys knew that. Just like my initial thought, Louis suggested I should just get a blowjob or get laid. But I quickly shrugged that possibility off and my friend's insistence.
While Jay let me enjoy my peace last night, Louis kept bugging me and it drove me nuts. I could honestly smack him right now, seeing him so carefree as he slumbers in my space.
After all, both Jay and Lous crashed at my place last night, like the annoying friends they are. But at least they weren't completely wasted. Although Louis might as well be, I guess. It's half past noon and he's still snoring and drooling all over my couch.
I rip my gaze from my friend and turn to my left as I see Jay approaching the table with two coffee mugs in his hands. I mutter a quick thanks and take a sip. Honestly, I didn't even drink much and yet I still have a damn headache.
"So, what was up with you last night?" Jay shoots me a raised eyebrow.
"Nothing," I sigh. "It's nothing really."
"Well, it doesn't sound like nothing."
It's most definitely not nothing, but I'm trying my damn hardest to make it that way. I run a hand through my hair, frustrated and just confused.
Jay sets his cup down, his brows creased with concern now. "Talk to me. If you're worried about Louis, he's dead asleep and is a heavy sleeper."
I glance at Louis' ugly face and then back to Jay, letting out a defeated sigh. "It's Charlie."
"What about Charlie? I thought you brought him home last night."
I nod. "I did. But something happened."
"Did you fuck him?"
My eyes go wide and I shake my head. "What? No! No, of course not!"
Jay rolls his eyes and leans back, crossing his arms. "Then what is it?"
I groan and press my palms against my eyes before answering him. "My body reacted to Charlie."
All I get is another raised eyebrow.
My face turns red as I elaborate in a whisper-yell. "Charlie took his clothes off and my dick reacted. Got it?"
Jay's lips curl into a smirk, taking sips of his coffee. "I knew what you meant."
"Asshole."
"So, why does that exactly bother you?" Jay asks, his tone surprisingly genuine.
"Well," I mutter. "Charlie isn't exactly my type. You know, I like guys that are more extroverted, loud, like to drink and party, and know how to have a good time. But Charlie is none of that. He's the complete opposite."
Jay hums, nodding. "Yeah, that's true. Usually, you go for more obnoxious guys."
"Exactly. And hey, what do you mean by obnoxious?"
"Nothing, whatever." Jay scoffs. "But seriously, maybe your taste has changed."
Has it changed…? Is that really the case? Thinking about it now, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be so hung up about any other introverted, anime-fanatic guy out here. Heck, asians were never really my type to begin with. So, why?
"Maybe it's because… it's Charlie." Jay says, his words momentarily snapping me out of my thoughts.
I tilt my head, slightly confused. "I'm all hot and bothered because it's Charlie? What?"
Jay leans closer, his eyes never leaving mine. "Just think about it. He already must have made you feel some things before. Not exactly horny stuff, but I can tell you enjoy spending time with him. Honestly, in my eyes, Charlie seems a bit boring. And considering we usually share the same opinions about stuff like that, you don't seem to find him boring or annoying in the slightest right now."
I furrow my brows, understanding what he's implying, but I shake my head. "So, what are you trying to say?"
"Simple," he states, in a know-it-all tone. "He isn't just like one of your hookups and you're not considering in simply hooking up with him or anyone for that matter. You like him or at least you're starting to like him."
My lips part. "I like him?"
Jay nods with firm determination. "Yeah."
"As in," I start, barely registering what I'm saying right now. "I'm developing feelings for him?"
"Bingo."
I stare at my best friend, my mouth ajar. That's impossible. Me? Liking someone? Intimately and not just for pure pleasure? Absurd. I don't do those. I don't get into relationships and I don't plan on getting into one. I like to fool around, and I haven't been in a committed relationship since middle school. I'm planning on staying like that. One Chinese guy isn't going to change that. No way.