"Oh my god." Sam wakes up with a gasp, his hand coming over my face in panic so I swat it away. "Where the fuck am I?"

"You'll be in hell if you don't stop shouting, because I will kill you," Olivia grumbles from my side.

"Aren't you both the morning people!" I chirp, sitting up in the bed that somehow three of us ended up sharing.

My eyes move to Sam and he looks down on himself. "Why am I practically naked in bed with you two?"

"Because you gave us a strip show last night." I grin at him, getting out of bed. I've been up for minutes already so I had time to recollect memories from last night before freaking out like him. "You're good in bed."

I pick up the dress from the floor, moving to the bathroom to change out of Olivia's t-shirt and shorts that she lent me last night. She finally pulls her head away from pillow and looks at a very dumbfounded Sam and a very amused me. She must've caught on the conversation because we share a knowing look.

"You really are." Olivia looks at him and he gapes at us.

"What the fuck happened last night?" He looks around the floor, probably searching for his clothes.

"Your biggest dream came true," I wink at him before disappearing behind the bathroom door and changing into the dress to head back to my apartment.

I also take the liberty to find myself a new toothbrush. After I'm done, I step out in the bedroom to find Sam sitting with his head in his hand.

"Please, please tell me we didn't." He looks at me pleadingly because Olivia has gone back to closing her eyes with a pillow covering her ears.

I can't help but laugh at him. "Of course we didn't, you fool!"

"How lucky do you think you are?" Olivia pokes her head out from the pillow sandwich to give him a look. It's not like we'd ever do anything like that, or it would be even remotely possible with our orientations.

He lets out a very audible sigh of relief before throwing a pillow my way. I dodge it easily, earning a glare from him. "Why would you even think of making me believe that?"

"It's fun to see you flustered, Sam." I grin at him, putting my hair up in a bun. "Besides, your reaction just confirms that you're not trying to get laid with us."

He scrunches up his nose in disgust. "Ew, Em! You're both like my closest friends. I'd rather swallow poison than screw that up over one night of fun."

"Aww," Olivia gives him the gooey eyes. "Really?"

"I'm not swallowing poison to prove a point." He clarifies, making a loud laugh erupt from me when Olivia's face falls.

She really would've made him prove it if he hadn't stated that. Both of them are a little crazy like that. I look between the two of them before turning to Sam, "You gave a strip show though, and that was definitely good."

"I can live with that." He nods to himself before snatching away the pillow from Olivia, "How did we end up here?"

Well, let's see. After the two of them showed up at the party last night, we went crazy over the Jell-O shots. Blake, however, did put a stop on it after I had three because I already had a glass of at dinner, two beers at the party and three shots. It was enough to get me drunk.

All of his friends enjoyed it too because I remember by the time Blake was on my case to keep me hydrated, I saw Sara puking her guts out in the bushes. From what I can recall, Blake and Nick were the only ones who were sober.

"We took a cab," I tell him, remembering that Olivia booked it. That's when it hits me. "Fuck, my car's still there."

I don't have my purse, because I left it in the car but I can't seem to place my phone or car keys anywhere either. What the fuck! I don't even remember the address from last night, I put it in my car's GPS.

"Olivia, where's your phone?" I panic because I'm pretty sure I didn't collect the keys back from Nick after Blake gave it to him. What kind of idiot doesn't return the car keys?

"Shhh, Em! Don't yell. Blake might've taken care of you but I'm still nauseous and I will puke on you."

I ignore her comment about Blake as I look for her phone. When I pick it up, it's dead. Shit, really?

"Why are you freaking out?" Sam scowls at me.

"I left my car there, my car keys are with Nick and I'm pretty sure I've lost my phone."

Upon listening to my distressed voice, Olivia sits up in the bed and stares at me. "Give me that, I'll put it on charging to find your phone at least."

I nod, passing it to her as she plugs it by her bed. It takes a few minutes for it to switch on and I pace in her bedroom, trying to rack my memory for my phone. I just remember avoiding Genesis's calls and texts. Shit! Her thoughts piss me off further.

How dare she cheat on her fiancé with me? It's like I don't even know her. Actually, I really don't know her. She's just headstrong and amazing at her job, she's good in bed and she is smoking hot. That's all I know about her. Also, when we're together, she's really good at making me forget all this anger that's growing in her absence.

"Well?" I look at Olivia as she bites on her nails.

"Your phone must be switched off, it's not showing anything."

"Fucking great." I run a hand through my hair, undoing the bun because suddenly I feel like ripping them out. "Can you book me a cab till my apartment, and also pay for it? I'll return it tomorrow."

There's no use trying to go back to the frat house because I'm sure Nick didn't stay there the night. I have no idea where Blake lives because Audran mentioned that three of them shared the apartment. I do, however, have a spare key to my place taped to the bottom of the pot outside the apartment.

I can figure out how to go about things once I'm home. It's just one day. Tomorrow, I'll see Blake and remind him to get me my keys from Nick, if he hasn't lost them by now or my car hasn't been towed. Fuck!

Calm thoughts, Emily, calm thoughts.

"Done. It'll be here in a minute. I'll text you the details." Olivia informs me and I give her a look. It takes a second before she offers me a sheepish smile. "Oops."

She tells me the cab's number plate and I head out of her apartment. She lives twenty minutes away from me, so that's a good thing. The cab driver is a kind middle-aged man who even asks me if I'm okay because I continue to squirm due to uneasiness. I walk him through my night, because what's more therapeutic than talking to a stranger?

"I hope you find your phone and car." He grins at me once we reach my apartment building.

"Thanks, man. Have a nice day."

He nods before driving away. I make way up to my floor. I live on the eighth floor and this building only has ten. After I get out of the elevator, I immediately frown when I see a person crouching against my apartment door.

It's only when I'm closer I recognise that it's Blake. His eyes are closed and for a moment I think he's asleep but then they shoot open, meeting mine.

"What are you doing here?"

He stands up from the floor and fishes out my phone and car keys. I quickly take it from his hands and pass him a grateful look. If it was anyone else other than Blake, I would've hugged him.

"Oh my god, thank you! I thought I'd lost my phone." I sigh, realising that it ran out of battery. "Where did you find it?"

"You left it on the kitchen counter," He tells me before looking at the floor and that's when I notice my purse. "Here, got this from the car too. It's parked downstairs, did you not see it?"

I shake my head, "No. I didn't notice."

"How did you even get back here? Olivia mentioned you guys were going to her place last night."

I sigh, pulling out my keys from the purse and unlocking the apartment door which makes him step aside. "I took a cab, she booked it for me. I thought I'll ask you about the car tomorrow in the office."

He nods to himself. "Nick realised he had the keys once we were home, so I thought I'll drop by in the morning."

Once I step inside the apartment, I gesture for him to move in and he gives me a confused look but steps inside regardless.

"How did you even know I live here?" I ask, going to the kitchen to get both of us a glass of water.

I pass him one and he takes it from my hand. "I didn't, called Mom to ask for your address."

"You called Ella?" I ask, trying to wrap it around my head how weird this entire situation is. "Did she not ask why you needed it? I'm surprised she even had it."

I gulp down the water and he raises his eyebrows at me mockingly. "I'm pretty sure Mom has all your details written somewhere, including your next five birthday gifts."

A natural smile takes over my face at his comment. "Well, she does love me."

It's true. I've always been such a spoiled child, but Ella and Connor have pampered me the most, more than my parents who struck a balance once I started growing up. Whereas Brian and Steve are the cool uncles who let me have fun before I hit eighteen.

"That she does." He grins, looking around the apartment and I take the glasses to keep them in the sink. I'm glad that I don't have a pile I need to do. "Do you not have a roommate?"

I shake my head, moving to plug my phone in the charger by the couch. It's weird having Blake here, my mind is practically screaming at me to kick him out but I know how irrational my mind can be when it comes to him particularly.

"It's some bad luck, I swear. Every roommate of mine is jinxed, can't make them stick."

He chuckles at me, "You can't be that terrible."

"Ha-ha." I roll my eyes as he looks down the hallway. There's not much, really. Just two bedrooms and a bathroom along with a laundry closet.

"Is this why you mentioned a single room available last night?" He asks me and I mentally slap myself. I regret ever bringing that up to Nick. I don't even know what I was thinking.

Actually, that's not true. The expenses are high, even if you're a full-time worker and living in Brooklyn instead of Manhattan. I need a roommate if I don't want to go broke soon. I hate asking for money from my parents because they always end up lending me more than I really need which makes me feel embarrassed and guilty.

But what if Nick finds an apartment and Blake doesn't? God, I can't imagine sharing this apartment with him. I'll drive both of us crazy, that's for sure.

"Don't worry, Emma. I'm not going to ask to move in, I'm asking for Nick."

An embarrassed blush takes over my features because I didn't know my thoughts were that obvious. I nod at him, clearing my throat, "Yeah, I kinda need a roommate."

But even Nick seems like a terrible choice right now. He's Blake's best friend. I am sure I can come up with a roommate before it comes to that.

"Do you mind if I look?" He asks, pointing down the hallway and I shrug.

"C'mon, I'll show you."

He steps aside to let me lead the way. I open the extra bedroom door which comes mostly furnished, all that's needed is probably a change of mattress and some curtains.

"It's actually pretty nice." Blake comments, leaning on the doorway and I nod.

"Yeah, it's jinxed or ghosted by the previous owner."

He laughs at my words, shaking his head. "Yes, why not."

We step out of the bedroom and move to the living room and I look at him, "You're going to ask me the rent, aren't you?"

"Listen, I'm actually looking for a studio apartment for one person. It comes much cheaper than these places, but Nick is sure we can find a place within the same budget together."

I scoff, "Yup, not happening."

"Exactly! So, in case we don't, and if he doesn't find a place for himself, can you at least consider him? I can give you honest feedback, he's super low maintenance, damn clean and will stay out of your hair."

This is exactly what I was afraid of. I sigh, looking for a way out. "Why doesn't he get a studio apartment? It'll save some money."

"Why don't you?" He shoots back and I frown at him. "It's not for everyone, Emma. At least think about it."

I nod, "Okay."

He gives me a victory grin, before moving towards the door. "I'll get out before you reach a level of discomfort to kick me out."

I bite back my smile because sometimes he really does know what's going on in my head. "Thanks for bringing back my stuff."

"Not an issue." He opens the door. "Your phone rang a lot of times, by the way. Kinda answered one time because of how annoying it got."

My eyes widen at his statement. "What do you mean kinda?"

"She called you at six in the morning! Who wakes up at six? I was sleepy and didn't realise it was your phone so I picked it up. It was really unintentional."

Just when I thought Blake could go a day without annoying me. He sees my face and his face transforms into absolute amusement.

"Yeah, I'm gonna go now. See you tomorrow."

He doesn't say a word before stepping out and shutting the door behind him. I sigh, walking to my bedroom to get clothes and shower. After I'm done, I pull out a box of cereal from cabinets and pour myself the lazy breakfast.

I pick up my phone from couch's armrest and see that I have three missed calls from Genesis and two texts asking me to call her back. I sit it down, not in the mood to be angrier than I already am since last night.

Just when I'm about to turn on the tv, there's a knock on the door and I groan. If it's Blake again, I will be so damn annoyed! The knocking increases and I shout at the door.

"Coming!"

When I open the door, a very pissed off Genesis is standing on the other side. She doesn't even greet me as she storms inside the apartment and looks around.

"Where is he?" She yells at me, making me take a step back at that tone because from what I recall, I'm the one supposed to be yelling.

"Who?"

"Blake. Who else?" She glares at me.

How does she know he was here? I frown at her in confusion. "He just left, why are you here?"

Her face forms into anger as she looks at me. "You really slept with him, didn't you? Of all the times you chose to cheat, it was the night after you met my brother?"

"Hold on, what?"

Why are people coming at me with surprises since yesterday? I've been surprised enough. Now, I need some consistency to stop my brain from spinning like crazy.

Did she just say cheat?

"You heard me." She shouts at me.

What the hell is wrong with her? I take a cautious and calm step towards her before speaking, making sure my tone is balanced. "Since when do we say cheating and not inclusive dating?"

Her face drops at my words, her anger almost disappearing as a look of surprise takes over her face. I know she didn't expect me to say that, but I'm really not the kind to let someone walk all over me. I have let Genesis get away with a lot of shit even though I have expressed my anger and disappointment always but this was just shit hitting the fan.

"That was a low blow, even for you," She comments, taking a step closer to me but I immediately step back. "Oh, c'mon. You still cannot be mad about it. You slept with someone else, don't you think we're even?"

I gape at her. God, how dense is she? I feel for this woman but she can be insensitive as hell without even realising it.

"Just to clarify, I didn't sleep with Blake. Why would even think like that?" I scowl at her. The thought is in itself disturbing as hell.

She frowns back at me in confusion. "He answered your phone, said you'll get back to me later in a sleepy voice. What was I supposed to think?"

"If you really knew me, Genesis, then anything but that!" I yell at her, my saturation level hitting the roof. "After last night you don't get to come here and yell at me, especially for sleeping with someone. If I even begin to sleep with someone else, trust me, it's going to take me at least a week or more to even the playfield since we started seeing each other."

I know my words are harsh but the balloon would explode if you continue to poke it with a pin. I've never once talked to her like that. I might've yelled at her in the past but never stating the truth or my feelings so clearly.

"Is this really about Jake?"

Yes!

"What else do you think this can be about?" I grumble. Suddenly, I understand why people stomp their foot and walk away in frustration.

"Listen, I ended things with Jake because he's an ass and it wasn't working out. It was just a week's overlap, it doesn't matter. If you want to make a big deal out of it, go ahead but I actually thought we were making some progress since you've come back."

Her words hurt, because she's right. I thought that too until I found out that I really don't know anything about her. How can you make progress with someone who's so bent on keeping you ten feet away from them emotionally?

"Just answer a few questions for me, Gen. We can talk about progress according to that." I look at her, my voice calming down because my hurt is now taking over. She waits for me to ask so I speak up. "How many people have you slept with since I've come back?"

Her face pales at my question. Fuck. I was so stupid to think that there was actually hope she had stopped screwing around, especially when she used the word cheating. I gulp down the disappointment in the pit of my stomach. I have never once in all this time cried in front of her, or because of her, and that's not starting now. I have been angry, really angry but I've always suppressed it down. I don't think I've ever cried because of anyone apart from my family or Kenny, but she doesn't count. I was a child.

"A couple of them." She sighs, stepping closer and I try to get rid of the knot that forms around my throat at her response. "How does it matter, Em? You're the one who's constant."

"Why did you freak out when you assumed that I slept with Blake?" I ask, cocking my head to the side to actually understand what really goes on in that mind of hers.

She juts out her lower lip adorably at me. I resist scoffing as she speaks up, "I don't like the idea of sharing you. I know you haven't been with anyone else since we've started going out. I like that about us."

Oh my god. I don't like the idea of sharing you. How can she even say that?

"Listen, Gen. I have never once questioned why you don't want to commit despite dying to know the reason. I like to think we share a level of understanding about our sexualities, and similarly, I understand that you're interested in polyamory. I don't want you to change for me, or go against your rules even if it hurts me. But I really need you to stop giving me false hope that it's ever going to be otherwise."

She looks taken aback by my honesty, but it's true. I understand if she doesn't want to commit. In fact, in so many ways I have. If I have an issue with it, that's my own insecurity at work. She has been honest with me about what she wants, so really being involved with her is a choice I'm making. But she needs to stop leading me on or giving me hope for more.

"Okay." She nods to herself. "If that's what you want. You're right, I like polyamory, and the other person knows it too. I'm glad we can be honest with each other but I do like you, I hope you know that."

I gulp down the harsh truth that this is how it's going to be always. There's no way Genesis could only commit to me, so I nod to her, but mostly to myself. I can do inclusive dating without the hopes of anything more.

"You can't expect me to be exclusive with you if you aren't doing the same."

She scowls at me, "But you haven't slept with anyone since we started seeing each other."

"Yet. I haven't slept with anyone yet. In future, if it happens, it's not cheating. Don't ever accuse me of that again. I don't like cheating, being cheated on or being cheated with."

The last part is about Jake and she knows that. If an open-relationship is what she wants, then that's what she's going to get.