Chapter 8

What's Next?

Jess woke late the next morning, with a major headache. She could feel something under her as she tried to focus her sleepy eyes. It was Brian; she smiled to herself sighing deeply. Tilting her head so she could see his face, she saw his eyes were still closed. Snuggling up to him, she tired to get closer, as she felt his arm wrap around her.

"You awake?" she asked.

"Yeah," he spoke with a groggy voice.

"I guess I better go take a shower and I definitely need to take about five aspirin," wanting to get the smell of liquor off her, but being incredibly comfortable.

"Can I join you in the shower?" he whispered in her ear, holding her tighter. Jess felt her heart beat about 50 times faster.

"If you like cold showers," she laughed, finding something to say. Brian loosened his grip allowing her to sit up. "I take it that's a no?" she raised an eyebrow looking down at him. He finally opened his eyes to look up into hers.

"I'll get you in a hot shower someday," he joked seductively.

"Is that a treat?" she joked back. Jess finally found the strength to get up, but Brian reached out for her wrist. She just starred at him not sure of what to do. Then, as if in slow motion, Brian sat up and stood just inches in front of her.

"Can I kiss you?" he asked seriously, holding her to him. Jess suddenly lost her voice and found herself nodding vigorously. The touch of his lips was warm and soft; she smiled against his lips.

"I suppose you want to go take your aspirin now," he smiled after he broke their sweet kiss.

"My headache's not that bad," Jess lied. After standing in his arms a moment longer, she made her way to the bathroom to take a shower. Brian stood in her room, still savoring the way she felt, till he felt someone's eyes on him. He turned to the doorway too see Rome leaning against the doorframe.

"What are you doing?" Rome asked shaking his head.

"What do you mean?"

"Don't throw another question at me. You know she's just another girl, and this one is just that, an eighteen year old girl. And what about your girlfriend?"

"You're talking about Monica," Brian chuckled.

"I'm serious, Brian," Rome barked.

"Bro, I am serious about Jess," Brian barked back. "And Monica is not my girl friend. She just thinks she is."

"You've never been serious when it comes to women. You know just as well as I do, that just as soon as you get in her pants, you're going to ditch her, just like Monica," Rome went too far, but he didn't stop, "And Mia!"

Brian surged him rage and attacked Rome. The two men fought with fury. Throwing punches, till they wrestled on the ground.

"How dare you say that! You don't even know Mia or Jess!" Brian ranted with his arm around Rome's neck. Rome pushed Brian off him, standing up and leaving the room. Brian went to his own room to try and think about what happened.

Jess got out of the shower, unaware of what happened and still in a good mood. She dressed quickly so she could go see Brian. In the hall she saw Rome coming out of his room.

"Morning," she greeted happily. "You ok?" she asked, noticing he was banged up and looked pissed.

"No," he answered bluntly. "Can I talk to you down stairs?" he asked. Jess glanced back at Brian's door. "Brian can wait a few seconds," Rome assured in an emotionless tone.

"Oh, ok," Jess nodded following him down stairs. The living room was an ocean of beer bottles and plastic cups. Rome led the way to the garage door. All the cars were lined up just as they had been the night before. Jess watched Rome pace the floor.

"What's up?" Jess questioned.

"Look, I know you and Brian are into each other and I just wanted to tell you a few things." Jess swallowed hard.

"All right," she said looking at Rome with fearful concern.

"I've known Brian sense we were kids. He's a good guy, but… growing up, he was never one to know how to treat a lady. Oh yeah, he can make your knees go weak or crap like that, but he's never been in a relationship."

Rome stopped as Jess interrupted him, "Why are you telling me this?"

"It's just a warning. I just don't want you to get too deep and then get spit back out. You know?" Rome went on to tell her about Monica and the case Brian and Rome were on. Then what happed afterward. He said Brian and Monica saw each other for a while till Brian got her in bed a few times and then stopped talking to her.

"Isn't that like every guy?" Jess chuckled nervously wanting Rome to stop talking.

"I guess," Rome shrugged, "but with every girl he's ever been with?" His question made Jess think for a second, but she didn't care. She didn't even know where her and Brian were going. If she didn't start it, she would never find out.

"You're one tough chick and I don't want you to get hurt," Rome said.

"Am I growing on you?" she asked, smiling again.

"No," Rome said quickly, but he smiled too.

"Thought so," Jess grinned, "Let's go back inside and wake up the house." But inside, everyone was awake. Nate and Dom were cleaning and Sean was trudging around the house still looking quite sick. Jess noticed the people sleeping on the couch. They were Leon and Vice, but Mia and Letty were missing. Brian was still upstairs.

"Damn, and I thought I was going to get to be mean," Jess whined playfully. She took the back stairs to go see Brian, leaving Rome. She knocked on his door, but nobody answered and when she peaked inside, no one was there. She checked her room, but he wasn't there either.

"You just missed him. He went to lunch with Mia," Jess jumped being startled by Rome.

"Oh yeah, he said he was," Jess remembered vaguely. "I'm surprised Dom let him" Jess scratched the back of her head.

"Probably because Dom knows you're with Brian now," Rome guessed.

"But how would he know, and I don't even know if we are together, anyway."

"It's not that big of a house," Rome smirked as he went in his room. Just then, her cell phone rang. Jess ran in her room and answered just in time.

"Hello?"

"Jess?" her brother Brandon, asked.

"Yeah?"

"Do you remember what today is?"

"No," Jess said as she shook her head even though Brandon couldn't see her.

"God Jess! How could you forget?" Brandon's panicked voice asked. Jess could picture him pulling his hair.

"What? What?" she asked panicked now.

"Social Services comes to inspect in 15 minutes!"

"Shirt…" Jess hung up and grabbed her car keys, running out of the room.

A/N: Please review! Please?