Tear (Seaside 1)

“She’s also suicidal. She wanted to walk home.”

Alec scowled. “Nat, you’d make it as far as the kitchen table, pass out, and most likely crack a tooth in the process.”

I clenched my teeth to keep form yelling. It wasn’t that I wasn’t thankful, but I didn’t look my best, I didn’t feel well, and they were both acting like I was totally unable to take care of myself. Now that my fever was gone I knew I would be fine on my own.

“Lock the doors.” Alec’s intense gaze met mine. Stupid mind reader.

Demetri put me down on the couch and then walked to the doors, locking each of them. “Crap, how long have they been camped out?”

“Since you came back with the flowers.” Alec answered.

“Who’s camped out?” I piped up.

“Photographers, news crews, fans. Basically everyone in Oregon.” Alec cursed and took a seat next to me. “Thanks to my brother’s heroic kiss downtown Seaside, the media can’t wait to dig in to you.”

“Great,” I grumbled at laid my head on the arm of the couch. “If they saw me now they’d wonder what the fuss was all about.”

Alec tilted his head. “You really don’t see it do you?”

“See what?” I swallowed out of nervousness. Alec’s eyes bore into mine as if he was trying to figure out a piece to some giant puzzle. His gaze made me want to squirm, but I was able to keep myself still.

“How breathtaking you are.” His eyes shone with appreciation. “Nat, you’re absolutely gorgeous without any help from make up or fancy clothes. And you’re the only person in the known universe who hasn’t asked for one of our autographs.”

“She hasn’t?” Demetri said walking back into the living room only picking up on the last part of the conversation, “Rude, Nat. Rude.”

I laughed. I couldn’t help it. “So that’s how I get rid of you two? Ask for your autograph and throw my panties like the rest of them?”

Demetri plopped onto the couch in between us. Of course. “I could live without the autograph part, but the panty-throwing sounds intriguing. You planning on doing that soon? I’ll wait.” He grinned like a little boy. I reached over and kissed his cheek on impulse.

Alec cleared his throat. His eyes moving from me to Demetri then back again. “I’ll go see what I can do about the media for now. Why don’t you guys watch a movie or something?”

I sighed. “My pick. I’m sick.”

Demetri cursed. “My head hurts, does that count?”

“Your head always hurts when you use it, silly, so no, doesn’t count,” I joked.

Alec left the room laughing, while Demetri scowled playfully.

Chapter Thirteen

We watched movies until the wee hours of the night. By midnight I felt loads better, which was good considering I’d have to sneak back into my house.

Demetri had fallen asleep so it was up to Alec to deliver me to the front door in one piece.

“Ready?” he whispered as he unlocked the back door.

I nodded.

We padded across the backyard and quickly made it to my back door. Everything was dark, meaning the photographers had finally gone home.

“Everything’s going go to change, Nat,” Alec whispered behind me. I turned, his eyes looked black in the darkness, not the usual green I had grown so accustomed to.

“What do you mean?” My voice didn’t hide my panic.

“You’re going to be on every news station, every radio station, every gossip site. I just want you to know, it’s about to change and it’s not going to be easy.”

“They’ll get bored with me,” I reassured him by reaching up for a hug. His arms were so big and strong. I shivered when he placed his chin on my head.

“Nobody could ever get bored with you, Nat. That’s impossible.”

I smiled. “You’re just being nice because I’m sick.”

His chuckle warmed me. He pulled back and looked into my eyes. “I’m not just being nice, I’m being honest. Now get some rest.” Alec’s head descended, his lips were almost to my cheek when a flash interrupted us.

“Get in the house, Nat. Now.” Alec frantically pushed me into the house and walked up to the photographers. He was yelling. Wow, I must bring out the hulk in him. He always seems so calm and collected. Right now it looks like he’s going to rip the guy’s head off.

The guy started cussing him out. Alec raised his arms above his head again. Oh no, this is not good.

I quickly dialed Demetri’s number. It went to voicemail. I called five more times before he finally answered.

His voice was groggy. “This better be a booty call.”

I ignored him. “There are photographers outside. Alec is yelling at them. He looks crazy. I don’t know what to do.”

Demetri cursed and the line went dead.

I watched as he ran out of the house in nothing but his low slung jeans. His tan body glowed in the moonlight. He was every inch as beautiful as Alec, but so different. Alec was covered in tattoos. Demetri had two, though I couldn’t make it out. It too spread across his chest and seemed to connect to something on his back. It was too hard to tell in the dark, but I could have sworn there was writing.

Demetri grabbed Alec and ushered him back into the house, while Alec was still yelling.

The photographer walked away in the other direction. I locked my door just in case and walked up to my room. Cell phone clenched in my hand. What the heck was that about? He took a picture? So what? Not that I didn’t appreciate Alec’s protectiveness, but still.