Tear (Seaside 1)

“R-right away, Mr. Daniels.” Her face flushed red and I was instantly pleased that he stood up for me. At least I think that’s what he was doing.

The hostess led us to a far corner of the restaurant.

“If there is anything, anything at all, I can get for you two—”

“Wine,” Demetri interrupted. “A house red, perhaps a Malbec?”

“Right away.” The girl practically tripped over herself.

“Demetri, we’re underage.”

He shrugged. “I’m famous. They never card me. Trust me. They’ll do anything for my business, including serving alcohol to minors. I mean, look at this place. It’s kinda dead right now. Give it an hour.”

The waitress returned with the wine and gave him an overly obvious wink as she uncorked the bottle. I refused the drink. Concern washed over me as Demetri engaged in conversation and nearly finished the entire bottle.

He sure could talk a lot about himself. Not that I minded, he was interesting, but still. He hadn’t even asked about my day.

I yawned. I suddenly felt flush and exhausted.

Demetri ignored my yawn and obvious signs of exhaustion and kept talking. I hated his haughty attitude almost as much as I hated that he was right. Within an hour the restaurant was packed. It was so loud we almost couldn’t have a conversation. It also didn’t help that people kept approaching our table. I just wanted them to go away. This was not how I thought our date was going to go.

Demetri never ignored his fans.

But he ignored me.

The entire night.

Finally after dessert was served, I was ready to go.

Demetri was deep in conversation with a young girl who had just walked up and asked for an autograph. She couldn’t be any older than me, and I was instantly jealous. She was flirting with my boyfriend. My boyfriend.

Just as I was about to open my mouth and most likely make a fool of myself, Demetri reached out and grabbed my hand.

A shiver of pleasure ran through me as the girl backed off and glared, then finally left.

“Sorry,” Demetri apologized. “I didn’t know it would get this out of hand.”

“You’re one of the biggest rock stars on the planet, and you didn’t think it would get out of hand?” Was he for real?

He at least looked sheepish when he shrugged. “Sorry, it’s never this bad in L.A. I mean, people usually give us our privacy. I can go to Starbucks and not be stalked.”

“If you haven’t noticed, the most exciting thing in Seaside is the ocean and the fact that we actually have a Starbucks. Of course people are going to freak out.” I was kind of angry and tired. I needed to stop taking it out on him. It wasn’t his fault.

Demetri cursed. “You’re right, Nat. I’m sorry. Forgive me?” His smile immediately disarmed me.

I shrugged. “Fine, but no more ignoring me on our date.”

“I promise a date will never be like that again.”

“Why? Are we going to stay inside and become reclusive?”

Demetri grabbed my hand and kissed it. “No, the record company is sending over some bodyguards.”

Suddenly everything felt very real. “Um, is that necessary?”

“We got a few death threats yesterday.” He shrugged. “Nothing out of the ordinary, but you know, you should always be careful.”

Feeling a little alarmed, I could only stare at him. On what planet was that normal? I was silent as he paid the check and led me out to the car.

Fans were bustling outside the restaurant just as much as inside. Utterly exhausted, I just wanted him to take me home.

“Let’s go.” Demetri strategically led me through the crowds. To say I was freaked out would be an understatement. I mean, he just told me he gets death threats and I can’t even see the street right now.

“Demetri! Is that your girlfriend? Who is that?” A girl shouted, and then a camera flashed.

Demetri’s hand tightened in mine, and then in one swift movement he pinned me against the car and kissed me.

When he pulled away I opened my eyes to at least forty phones pointed at us.

“Guess so.” He nuzzled my hair, then tucked a few pieces behind my ear.

I think people were so excited and shocked, they didn’t even realize we were hurrying to get into the car.

“Are you sure you can drive?” I asked. My throat was starting to feel achy and sore.

He laughed. “I’ve driven in worse situations.”

“I mean the alcohol.”

“So did I,” he shrugged and started the engine. I should have said something more, or at least been more aggressive about him not driving, but I was so freaked out by all the people.

He sped down the road and turned the corner, then finally opened his mouth to speak. “Sorry, did I hurt you?” He motioned to my mouth and arm that he had grabbed while kissing the crap out of me outside.

“No.” I shook my head. “You shocked me a bit though. Why’d you do that?”

“Damn.” Demetri hit the steering wheel.

“What?” I froze.

“We’re being followed. I knew it was only a matter of time. It’s just… We didn’t think it would get this crazy here. I mean, it is Seaside.”

“And again, need I remind you that we have computers?” Exasperated, I leaned against the door and closed my eyes.

“I’ll drive around the block a few times to lose them, then we can go home, okay?”