Everything.
Instead I’d basically made Alec, lead singer of AD2 dive back into addiction — and held his hand while doing it, knowing it was wrong.
I closed my eyes.
So much hurt filled the space between me and these people.
So. Much. Hurt.
But turning around meant facing the other person I’d hurt, first by accident and then by choice.
Will touched my back giving me a little shove toward the group. “We’re having a first day of filming barbecue.”
“Great.” My throat was so dry I sounded like I’d taken up smoking in my spare time.
“Sis,” Lincoln was the first to approach; he pulled me in for a hug and breathed into my ear. “Just don’t be yourself.”
It stung more than it should have.
I was the older sister.
I was the example.
And there he was, successful, a damn good actor, in a committed relationship with a girl who actually tolerated him.
And look at me.
Still standing there.
Naked for everyone to see.
I didn’t realize tears were filling my eyes until it was too late.
Until Demetri Daniels of all people, with his cocky-as-hell smile stepped forward, pulled me in for an unexpected hug, and lowered his voice, “Remember, in this industry the weak get eaten alive.”
I didn’t trust myself to speak.
“Oh, and we don’t hate you.”
I snorted out a strangled laugh. “That’s… so reassuring.”
“I thought so.” He winked and walked back to Alyssa, and together they made their way into one of the houses. The smell of barbecue filled the air.
Alec’s eyes narrowed in on me before he took one step forward, then another. He was bigger than I remember, like becoming a dad had finally forced his muscular body to erupt into its pure masculine glory, his ever-present swagger made it impossible not to look at his tight black jeans or the way they hugged his legs.
Once, a very long time ago, after the sadness of losing Will had dissipated, Alec Daniels had been a god.
I gulped as he took his little girl from Nat and approached. My attention was immediately captivated by the tiny bundle in his hands, she was older than I expected, so pretty. Before I could stop myself, I was reaching for her, giving her my hand.
She grabbed my thumb giggled and bit it just as Demetri walked back outside.
“Whoa!” I laughed hoarsely. “She’s got teeth.”
“Six.” Alec’s voice softened. And then he did the strangest thing he handed his baby back to Nat. Her face was indifferent as she took the baby and walked inside, and then Alec, the guy who had the most reasons, next to Will to hate me, pulled me in for the biggest hug I’d ever received, lifting me off the ground and then setting me back, gripping my shoulders with his large hands. “Welcome, home.”
“Home,” I repeated.
Will stepped away and barked “what” into his cell.
“It’s where the heart is, right?” Alec’s one dark eyebrow shot up as he looked between me and Will.
“Oh.” I gulped. The pain was almost too much to bear. “No, I mean, it’s not like that… if your hate was the moon his would be a burning star.” I lifted my shoulders and let them fall. “His hate is basically Canis Majoris.”
Alec’s lips twitched and then his gorgeous smile filled the space between us, the once painful space that caused my body to freeze.
And suddenly my limbs were my own again.
I felt my body relax.
My lungs sucked in much needed air.
Because Alec Daniels was laughing.
“Yeah well, hate breeds more hate. Sometimes it just takes losing everything that matters most — to realize that it’s not worth it, hm?”
My eyes narrowed. “You grew up.”
“I can defrost a chicken.” He shrugged. “And last night I fixed the dishwasher.”
“What? They break?” This was news to me.
“Demetri bakes bread.” He offered as we fell into step beside one another.
“Demetri… bakes.” I gave my head a little shake. “The guy used to have trouble ordering takeout. Alec, the number was on the menu, and he still had trouble.”
“Chinese intimidates the best of us.”
“Eh, I think it was the numbers.”
“It was the freaking bird on the logo, and you know it!” Demetri suddenly interrupted us, his tattooed arms crossed as a scowl darkened his face. “And who the hell names their Chinese restaurant Dirty Bird!”
How had we make it into the backyard already?
Lincoln ran over, nearly out of breath. “Who went to Dirty Bird?”
I pointed to Demetri. “He’s scared of the logo.”
“The one with the black bird?” Lincoln frowned.
“Birds are birds,” came Demetri’s explanation as he put on an apron that said “Kiss me I’m one half of AD2.”
I pointed at the apron. “Christmas present?”
“To myself. I sew now.” He gave me a completely innocent grin.
I felt my eyes widen to a painful degree. Do not laugh. Do not make fun of him. They’re being nice. Don’t be yourself. “Wow, that’s… really cool.”
Everyone burst out laughing.
“Ang, I’m totally shitting you, I bought it on Etsy.”
“He knows what Etsy is?” I whispered under my breath so only Alec could hear.
“Don’t get him started,” was his response before slapping me on the back and walking off, leaving me alone with the gang.
My eyes greedily searched for something to do, a place to sit, something to help with. Frozen again.
And then a hand touched my back.
I knew that hand like I knew my own.
I turned.
Will jerked his hand free and slapped a cell onto my palm. “New phone, new number, I can’t have you calling any old contacts and—”
Special moment completely ruined.
Embarrassment complete, I jerked it out of his hand and scowled. “Got it. Wouldn’t want me making you look bad.”
“You do a good enough job with yourself, don’t worry about me.” He snarled.
Behind him, Demetri held up his hands like who the hell pissed in his Cheerios.
And then Zane Andrews was running toward me at full speed.
I had about zero time to dodge him before one of the most gorgeous singers alive scooped me up, tossed me over his shoulder, and carried me into the house.
I stopped fidgeting when he sat me on my feet.
“Saved your life. You’re welcome.” He winked then rejoined his girlfriend at the breakfast bar. They had about seven bags of marshmallows and enough Rice Krispies to sell treats at the fair.
“You guys doing a bake sale?” I awkwardly forced my stance to look relaxed when it was the exact opposite of what I felt, especially since I could feel Will’s presence on the opposite end of the room.
That’s the thing about love.
It doesn’t give a shit how uncomfortable.
How angry.
How sad.
How disappointed you are.
It still demands to be felt.
And no matter how much history I had with Will — I always felt him.
It was my cross to bear.
My curse to carry.
“So…” Zane leaned his muscled body across the table much to the dismay of Fallon who was trying to mix the ingredients together. “What do I get?”
“Pardon?” I was still dizzy from all the marshmallows and the fact that Fallon, being a normal, small-town girl was able to breathe around a guy so famous and good looking that most girls would sell both kidneys for one night in his arms and die saying it was worth it.
“Stop pestering her.” Fallon rolled her eyes and gave me a sympathetic look. “He’s annoying — he can’t help himself. Your best bet is to shove a marshmallow in his mouth to keep him from speaking.” She shot him a longing gaze and sighed. “At least he’s pretty.”
He scolded. “Graduated with honors, babe.”
“That’s true.” She blushed as he placed a sticky kiss against her neck.
So out of place I wanted the floor to open up and let me sink down the giant crack.