Pull (Seaside 2)

“He cheated!” Sam screamed causing the entire room to fall silent. “You’re perfect boyfriend cheated on you while you were dating. He got Holly pregnant! So next time get your facts right.

I’m out.” Sam stumbled to his feet.

Connor followed him out, his eyes wide with surprise.

Holly slumped against Aaron, tiny sobs escaped her mouth.

“I should have told you. Demetri said I needed to tell you but —”

“Shit.” I heard Demetri behind me. He released his hold on my arms.

Tears threatened to pour down my face. “W-what? What do you mean Demetri told you?”

Holly wiped her eyes and choked on her words. “He found out the night we wrote our regrets because this was mine, Alyssa.

My regret was never telling Brady and never telling you. I didn’t want to ruin what you guys had and —”

“When?” I interrupted her, my body slowly started to go numb as I tried to focus on my breathing. “When did it happen?”

“The end of summer after football camp. It was a Friday night…”

I didn’t need to hear any more. I knew what night it was because it was the same night I picked him up from the party. The same night I saw him drunk, and it was the same night he told me he loved me for the first time.

I started seeing spots and then total blackness consumed me.

This time I didn’t care if I ever woke up.

Chapter Thirty

Demetri

My heart dropped to the ground. I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think as Alyssa slumped to the ground. I caught her before she hit her head, and then I looked to Alec for help.

He began clearing people out. Nat asked if I wanted her to stay, but that was the last thing I needed. I swear, drama followed me just like the Biebs and boy bands.

Holly apologized about ten times then left with Aaron.

Best birthday ever.

At least I didn’t get drunk and gain myself a DUI and a cell mate named Bertha.

“Alyssa? Sweetheart, can you hear me?” I took her to the nearest couch and cupped her face.

The moan that came from her was nearly my undoing as her eyelids fluttered open.

I didn’t see her hand until it was too late. She slapped me so hard across the cheek I was afraid I lost a tooth.

“Guess I deserved that,” I muttered holding my face.

“You bastard!” She tried to get up but I gently held her back.

“Shh, you need to rest. You just fainted.”

“What I need is to stop surrounding myself with ass**les!

Now get off of me!”

“No.” Panic was overwhelming my common sense. “If I let you go, you won’t come back. And I need you. I love you, Alyssa. I love you so damn much it hurts, and it kills me that you’re hurting.”

“I’m hurting because you betrayed me, Demetri.” She shoved hard against him. “You did this.”

“Me? You’re going to pin this on me?” I jerked away from her. “I tried to protect you and protect Brady’s memory and it’s my fault? That’s bullshit and you know it, Lyss! He’s the cheater! He’s the guy who betrayed you, that abandoned you, and now you’re going to make me the bad guy?”

“You should have told me.” Her lower lip trembled. “I knew this would happen.”

“What? What do you mean?” I fought to keep the tears in.

“Us. I knew we wouldn’t last.” She smiled sadly as tears streamed down her face. “We’re too different. I mean, you’re like an accident waiting to happen. You’ve even said so yourself. Two broken pieces don’t always fit.”

“What are you saying?” I reached for her but she walked around me toward the door.

“I’m saying goodbye.”

“Just like that?” I chased after her. She ran down the stairs and out the door.

“Yes.” She turned around, hands on her hips. “Just like that, Demetri. You got once chance. You blew it. You blew my heart into a million pieces. You don’t get do-overs. Sorry if it’s hard for you to understand. I mean, don’t all rich rock stars get do-overs?” She laughed bitterly. “But you can’t rebuild someone’s heart once it’s been broken.”

She pulled off her shoes and began walking in the direction of her house. Not bothering to turn around when I yelled after her.

“I know.”

“Shit!” I ran back upstairs to the rec room and sat on the couch. My hand touched something smooth and wet. I froze.

The flask.

Sam must have thrown it.

With trembling fingers I touched the cool steel. My brain was screaming at me to make the pain go away. I wanted to be numb so damn bad. I hated feeling weak. I hated tears.

I cursed and grabbed the flask and walked out to the balcony.

Shaking, I dumped the entire contents over the edge and then threw the flask as far as I could.

“Nice arm.”

“Go away.”

Alec cursed and leaned against the railing. “I don’t even know what to say to make you feel better. Seriously, and we thought our shit was all messed up.”

I laughed bitterly. “Life blows.”

“Yup.”

“Oh, please.” I rolled my eyes. “You’ve got Nat. You had the happy ending, and you didn’t almost die last year. I’d say life’s pretty good for you right now, right?”

“Wrong.” Alec laughed humorlessly. “There’s always something, Demetri. Always. You should know that by now.”