Lexy groaned as the rays of sun light shone on her face, waking her up. Sighing sleepily she turned on her right side, her arm hitting something hard. Startled she opened her eyes and a gasp left her lips as she saw the body of her best friend laying next to her. ‘Oh God.’ In a rushed motion she fought with the covers, unscrambling herself from them she peered under them. ‘Oh God.’ She repeat to herself seeing their naked bodies, her head throbbing from all the drinking she did last night.

    As quietly and quickly as she could she put on her clothes and rushed from the room. Her heart was racing and she looked up fighting the tears that threatened to fall. ‘What have we done?’ she bit her lip as she waited for the elevator.

    As soon as the elevator’s doors closed she let out a shaky breath she didn’t realize she had been holding. She walked down the corridor in a hurry, keeping her head low so the people who were already milling around the hotel wouldn’t pay any attention to her. ‘What time was it anyway?’
 
    Her hands shook as she tried to unlock the room. She jumped slightly as the door opened to reveal Cori’s frown.

    “What’s wrong, Lexy?” Lexy broke down and the tears started flowing down her face.

    “Shh, come here, honey. It’s okay, come on.” Cori threw her arm over her friend’s shoulder and brought her into the room. She sat Lexy on the bed and went to get some water.

    “Here. Drink... slowly, yeah. There you go.” She smiled softly wiping Lexy’s tears with her thumb. “What about a nice warm bath to relax you a little, then you tell me what’s going on during lunch?”

    “Lunch? What time is it already?” Lexy sniffed

    “It’s only nine o’clock, but I figured we could go out somewhere quiet to talk.”

    “Okay.”

     “You go ahead, the bathtub is ready.”

     “Thanks, Cori.” She hugged the redhead.

     “Don’t sweat it, honey.”

Back with Brian

     Brian awoke from his slumber to the annoying ring tone coming from the telephone. He answered it grumpily.

     “What?!” he snapped sleepily

     “This is your nine-thirty wake up call.” Then the dial tone

     “Great.” He mumbled sitting up on the bed. He regretted it immediately as a sharp pain rushed to his head. God, how much drinking had he done last night?

     Getting up while rubbing his head he walked into the bathroom, shutting the door as he relieved himself. Washing his hands he finally got a good look at himself. He frowned as he noticed a purple mark on his neck. His eyes got wide as the events of the night before came rushing back to him. He grabbed the sink for support, feeling dizzy at the memories.

     “Oh God.” He gasped sitting on the closet toilet. “What have I done?”

    ----------------//-------------------

     “So, are you feeling better?” Cori asked Lexy as they sat waiting for their food in a quiet café near the bay.

     “A little.” Her friend shrugged “Cori... I think I might have made the biggest mistake of my life.”

     “What happened last night, Lexy?”

     “I... Brian... we slept together.” Lexy hid her face with her hands, crying again

     “Oh, honey. Have you talked to him since then?”

      “I’m not sure I want to. I don’t know if I’ll be able to ever look at him again. I’m so embarrassed, Cori. Oh God, what about Leigh? She’ll hate me!” she cried

     “Lexy, calm down. You have to talk to him. He’s your best friend, has been for years and you love him and he loves you. Look, I don’t know what happened to stir these feelings between you two and it’s not my place to say anything, but in all honesty, what I can tell you is this. True friends don’t fall in love, and I know that in that pretty little head of yours you’re searching for an explanation as to why all of this is happening, but love isn’t the answer. I know what damage sex can cause, I know from experience, and I’m not about to let a friend, my best friend, endure the pain I know will follow if you two don’t work this out. A wild night of passion isn’t a good enough excuse to end a friendship.”

     Lexy looked at Cori with wondering eyes

     “What are you talking about, Cori?”

     “It’s a long story, but Lexy please don’t run away from Brian. That’ll only hurt you more, both of you. You have to talk about this and finish this chapter of your life. It needs closure. And another thing, if you guys decide not to stay together, as a couple, don’t tell Leighanne about last night. She doesn’t need to know.”

     “I don’t know what to do, Cori.” Lexy cried playing with a napkin

     “Call him, tell him to come here so you two can talk.” Cori offered her cell phone. Lexy looked at her uncertainly.

    ---------//------------

    “Brian! Where have you been, baby? I was worried about you.” Leighanne cried upon seeing her boyfriend enter the room.

     “I’m sorry, sweetie. I.... got buzzed last night and ended up crashing with AJ in his room. I didn’t mean to worry you.” He said softly so his headache wouldn’t get worse.

     “You got a headache? Here, let me get some Tylenol.”

     “Thanks, love.” He took the pill and looked at his girlfriend. The sun shone on her face, making her hair and eyes more beautiful than they already were. Her sweet smile spoke volumes as to how much she loved him and the feel of her hand caressing his face, to sooth his headache reminded him of all they had been through together. He took her hand form his face and made her look at him “I don’t know what I would do without you.” He whispered and she laughed softly.

     “You’d probably have gotten the Tylenol by yourself.” She pecked his lips. He pulled away and looked at her seriously.

     “No, Leigh. I really don’t know what I would do without you.” He told her seriously, pulling her against his chest, burying his nose in her hair. She hugged him back, confused by the sudden declaration of love, but smiling in despite her confusion.

     “I love you.” She kissed him softly

     “And I love you, don’t ever doubt that. Look at me Leigh. You know I love you, right?” he demanded, holding her face so she’d look at him.

     “Yes, Bri, I know. What’s wrong? You’re scaring me.”

     “Nothing, baby. I’m sorry, I just...I love you so much.” He hugged her tight once again.

     “I love you too, baby. But I think we should answer the phone.”

     He chuckled softly, and reached for it.

     “Hello?”

     “Brian... we need to talk.”

     “Lexy, where are you?”

     “In a café near the bay. Can you come here so we can talk?”

     “Yeah, give me directions and I’ll be right there.”

     He finished the phone call and turned to Leigh.

     “Lexy wants to talk, I’ll be back later, okay?” he kissed her forehead then her lips “I love you.” He called shutting the door behind him.

    ------------//---------------

     “There he comes, Lexy. Do the right thing.” Cori squeezed her friend’s hand, getting up.

     “Brian.” She nodded at the man, leaving the two friends to solve their problems.

     “Hey Brian.” Lexy looked up at him, tears already gathering behind her eyelids.

     “Lexy, we need to talk, seriously.” He sat in front of her

     “Brian, I... we... last night...” she trailed off not knowing how to approach the subject

     “Lexy...” he reached out for her hand “I love you, I really do and the last thing I want is to hurt you. But last night was a mistake, and I’m so sorry about it. Please don’t hate me. I don’t know what’s been going on between us, but I’m in love with Leigh, not you. You’re still my best friend in the whole world and I don’t wanna lose you.” He squeezed her hand, a single tear dropping from his eyes. Lexy was crying now, him having said exactly what was on her mind, but it hurt just the same.

     “I love you too, Bri. And I couldn’t agree more with you. You’re my best friend, and that’s how it’s gotta stay. I know you’re in love with Leigh, I knew it all along and I don’t know what forces made me come onto you like that-.”

     “It was two sided, Lexy.” Brian interrupted her with a smile.

     “Yeah, but Bri, I don’t wanna lose you either. I know what we did will change everything, and being drunk is no excuse for it. But Cori said something I agree, true friends don’t fall in love. Maybe it was the fact that I felt I was losing you to Leigh, maybe it was because I was sexually frustrated.” She laughed “I don’t know Brian, but this is a chapter I want to put behind us. I know it will take a lot of effort to heal our friendship, but I’m willing to give it a try, are you?”

     “Yeah.” He smiled pulling Lexy up and hugging her. “I love you.” He hugged her tightly

     “I love you, too.” She smiled pulling away enough to look at him. “What do you say? I kiss to go seal the deal?”

     He smiled and leaned down, kissing her forehead softly. Lexy laughed, hitting Brian’s back.

     “Well, it was worth a try.” She grinned and he laughed, hugging her again.

     “I love you, Lexy.”