Chapter Eight

Joey woke up with a start, confused as to why Watson was also crammed into her small, student, single bed. Flashbacks of 'teaching Watson the ropes' invaded her brain. She winced, her head banging, and slid out from beneath the blankets. Rubbing her eyes and throwing on her robe, Joey trudged into the kitchen and fumbled with the kettle. Coffee was most definitely the order of the day.

"You'd better put your face on if you're going to get me to pay your rent for a month," Brax said, striding into the kitchen with a spring in his step.

Joey sank into a chair and looked utterly bewildered.

"What are you talking about?" she asked, grateful that he had taken over the coffee making.

"Don't tell me you don't remember the bet," he said.

"It was my birthday," Joey reminded him. "You're not supposed to remember your birthday."

Brax shook his head and chuckled as he poured out strong hot drinks for both of them. He sat down opposite her.

"You got a shock this morning then?" he remarked.

Joey pictured Watson still sleeping in her bed. She nodded.

"How did that happen, exactly?" she asked.

"She required practice for that girl she likes."

Joey tried to nod again but grimaced instead.

"Yeah, I'm not so sure that was my smartest move," she said.

"Well, you've got a smarter move to come if you want to win," Brax told her.

"Seriously!" Joey squeaked. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"You bet me that you could bed Charlie within the next three months," he explained.

Joey choked on her coffee. She shook her head.

"No way," she said. "I did not do that."

"Angelo!" Brax called, spotting their housemate walking along the corridor towards the bathroom.

"Why are you shouting?" Joey complained, putting her hands over her ears.

Angelo poked his head round the door.

"Can you please confirm the bet Joey and I made last night?" Brax requested.

"Oh yeah," Angelo said. "You've got three months to bang Charlie. You wagered a month's rent on it."

Joey stared between Brax and Angelo, looking utterly horrified.

"No way!" she said. "I'm not betting on that!"

"You can't go back on it!" Brax insisted. "Just because you don't think you can do it..."

"I could do it if I wanted to," Joey said certainly. "But I'm not doing that to her. It's not fair."

"Can I go?" Angelo asked, still hovering in the doorway. "I think I might burst and die if I hang around here any longer."

Joey and Brax both permitted him to leave.

"Brax, I'm not tricking Charlie into bed," Joey said seriously. "That's not cool."

"It was your idea!"

"I doubt it," Joey frowned.

"Okay, it was mine but you agreed."

"I was drunk!"

"So was I!"

"I'm not doing it," Joey insisted.

"Then you owe me a month's rent," Brax told her, holding out his hand as if he was expecting immediate payment.

"I barely have money for my rent, let alone yours," Joey told him.

He sat back in his chair, looking far too smug for the morning after a heavy night.

"Then you'd better get on with it," Brax said. "The clock's ticking."

"Fine," Joey snapped. "I'll find your money. But I am not hurting someone like that."

"Even Charlie?" Brax asked. "She's not exactly the nicest person in the world."

"I think she's nice deep down," Joey ventured. "I think she just lacks confidence. I mean, you get glimpses of her being friendly; she just can't seem to sustain it for any length of time."

They were interrupted by Charlie coming into the kitchen to make herself some breakfast.

"I'm surprised to see you two up so early after last night," she commented, rummaging around in her cupboard. "I know for a fact you didn't get to sleep until gone five."

Joey looked bewildered.

"We share a wall, Joey," she said. "And personally, I think you're both disgusting for taking Watson back with you. She gave you her virginity and you don't even care."

"I do care!" Joey snapped.

"Is she your girlfriend now then?" Charlie challenged, finding a spoon to eat her yoghurt with.

"No..."

"Then you took advantage of her and it's not fair," Charlie replied. "Like I said, you both disgust me."

With that, she stropped back to her bedroom. Joey turned to Brax.

"How long did you say I had to complete this bet?" she asked.

Next time… Joey manages to bond with Charlie…