Strung (Seaside 0.5)

Holy shit she was scowling at me! It was the most we’d talked in three weeks. Most words we exchanged were yes or no answers to questions.

She exhaled and put her hands on her hips. “What do you want?”

“Don’t ask a question you don’t want the answer to,” I said darkly. Ah, and there it was, the pent up frustration and emotion just begging to be released. Damn what I wouldn’t do to get the chance to slam that pretty body against the lockers and kiss her senseless. I pushed the memories of her lips down into the darkness of my brain — into the black hole of my heart and offered her a casual smile.

“Sorry.”

I shrugged. “Demetri wants me to take you to Homecoming.”

Nat was quiet for a minute then said, “Demetri is very trusting.”

“Demetri knows where my loyalty lies.” Wow, that totally sounded like some cheesy movie line.

“So do I,” she said quickly.

We stood there glaring at one another for what seemed like hours.

“Look…” I cursed and walked towards her, she had to know that it would be okay. I mean I could control myself; I wasn’t that immature. “We’re friends. Let me take you. It would suck to go by yourself.”

“True.” She folded her arms across her chest, drawing my attention to the low V of her t-shirt. My eyes flickered down and then away from her body. “I just don’t know if it’s the best idea.”

“I’ll be the perfect gentleman.” Says the guy who just checked her out and had visions of mauling her. Right.

Nat hesitated briefly. “I’ll go with you. Thank you for asking.”

Why the hell did it feel like she’d suddenly opened the door and let sunshine into my life? I felt like a weight had been cut away from me. I couldn’t help the smile that parted my lips as I realized… I had a date. With Nat. It may not be a real date, all things considering, but I’d imagine it was. And when the night was over, I’d have that memory to hold me over for the next few weeks.

We said our goodbyes. I watched Nat run to her truck and get in. She seemed happy that things worked out — while I was… absolutely, thrilled. Lame, never thought I’d see the day where going to a high school dance would make me want to break out in song.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Demetri

AIRPORTS WERE NOT my happy place — and this time it was worse because I wasn’t with Alec.

By myself. I was all by myself.

I checked my phone. Nat had texted me. God, I loved that girl. More than life, more than air, more than freaking Starbucks or my guitar or —

Cursing, I shoved my phone back into my pocket.

That was why.

It’s not like I wanted to test her loyalty or anything. I just loved her — I wanted her to be able to go to her Senior Homecoming even if I wasn’t going to be the guy to take her. Ironic, that I didn’t trust anyone but my brother to do the job. Especially considering he’d confessed not but a few days ago that he liked her.

At least he was finally honest. I could respect him for that, for not lying to me when I asked him straight up how he felt and if I could trust him.

It’s hard.

Hard when you love two people so much — and know deep down in your soul — they love each other possibly just as much as you love them. What’s a guy supposed to do with that? Did it make me selfish that I was willing to still date Nat when I knew that part of her still wanted him? Did it make me a horrible brother?

I pulled my baseball hat further over my eyes and handed the boarding pass to the attendant.

With a sigh I walked onto the plane and took my seat in first class.

“Champagne?” The flight attendant held a tray in front of me.

I stared at the alcohol, my mouth immediately going dry. I thought of Nat, thought about how long I’d actually gone without drugs or alcohol and shook my head. “No. I’m good.”

It seemed small. To say no to a drink.

But for me it was epic.

I wanted to run around the plane and do a little dance, possibly flash someone my nipple rings, just so I could see their shocked expression.

Instead, I pulled out my phone and stared at Nat’s picture.

A month ago I was doing it for her.

Today — was the first time I’d done something for me.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Alec

SHE WASN’T ANSWERING her phone.

It had been three hours since she left the school parking lot — since I watched her drive away directly into the storm clouds.

Three hours where my mind went places it hadn’t gone for over a year. A place where death existed — where my heart used to exist.

“Damn it!” I tried her phone again. Straight to voicemail.

I called Demetri.

Straight to voicemail.

Why the hell did people have cell phones if they weren’t going to keep them on! I threw mine against the bed and cursed for a good ten minutes before staring out the window and willing her truck to come around the corner.

Another hour went by.

I was about five minutes away from calling the hospital. My clothes from school were still on — I hadn’t even changed into my workout clothes. Hell, I’d forgotten to workout completely.

Cursing, I jerked off my jeans and put on sweats, then pulled my shirt off and threw it against the wall. My eyes flickered to the window just as Nat’s truck pulled up into her driveway. The headlights went off. And I was absolutely seething. I was beyond pissed, beyond terrified, hell I was ready to fall onto my knees and weep at that point.