Pull (Seaside #2)(22)

“How much taffy does one have to eat in order to gain ten pounds?”

“Ooo, a story problem.” Demetri threw his free hand into the air. “Love those! Here, let me figure it out. Bob how much do you weigh?”

Silence.

“Bob, stop ignoring me.”

Silence again.

“Bob!” This time Demetri yelled his name so loud, I almost covered my ears. “I’ll let you watch TV by yourself tonight.”

“Three hundred and five,” came Bob’s swift reply.

Demetri turned toward me and shook his head. “It’s almost too easy, poor guy.” He wiped his hands on a towel and leaned forward against the counter, making eye contact with me. My stomach flipped.

“If Bob tries five pieces of candy a day, and each piece of candy weighs roughly two ounces and…” His eyes glazed over, and his head moved, nearly touching my lips. “Are you wearing makeup?”

“I, ugh.” I ducked behind my hands and covered my face.

“No, no don’t.” Demetri ran around the side of the breakfast bar and pulled me into a hug. I still tried to cover my face. “Lyss, let me see you.”

I shook my head. Why had I tried to look good today? I felt so stupid. Was I really doing my makeup and hair for him now?

“Lyss.” Demetri’s voice rumbled. “Take your hands away before I kiss you in front of Bob and start taking your clothes off.”

I yelped and pulled my hands away from my face. He leaned in and kissed me anyway.

“Sorry, couldn’t help it.” He grinned and ran his thumb down the side of my jaw. “God, you’re beautiful.”

What’s a girl to say to that?

Demetri seemed mesmerized as he tilted his head and examined my face, turning my chin this way and that, and then he ran his fingers through my hair. “Does it always feel like this?”

“Like what?” I was breathless.

“Silk.” He exhaled and threaded it between his fingers before closing his eyes and smelling my hair. “I think you’re trying to kill me.”

“By washing my hair?” I croaked.

“By being too damn perfect.” With a curse he released me, and the happy smile plastered itself comfortably back on his face.

Demetri grabbed a few plates.

“Time to eat.”

Abrupt subject change, but okay. I was uncomfortable with his attention anyway. Nobody had called me pretty since the day Brady died.

It was getting harder and harder to remember the way his face looked when he pulled the truck over and kissed me hard on the mouth.

“You’re perfect, little seal, so perfect.” His tongue trailed down my neck. Giggling, I pushed him away.

“Brady! We’re going to be late for the game! Come on, we need to go.”

“Sorry.” He smiled unapologetically. “Okay, fine, I’m not sorry, but everyone’s going to be late, girl. Look at this weather.”

The rain was coming down in sheets, which was typical for Seaside. We had been on our way to Lincoln City for the weekend football game, in which, of course, Brady was starting quarterback.

I clenched his hand and sighed. Life was perfect. I had the perfect boyfriend. He was getting a full ride to Boise State next fall, where he’d start as their quarterback. Nobody could understand why he would choose such a small state school. But I loved Brady for it. He wanted to be close to family and knew the importance of being part of a football team that was about the team and the game more than the stars. And Boise State was that team. I admired him so much.

“I love you.” I had said it without thinking.

Brady put the car into drive, but before he pulled out he turned toward me. “Good, because we’re getting married.”

“Um, I’m sixteen,” I pointed out laughing.

He grinned then reached over for another kiss. “I’ll wait.”

I bit my lip and looked away, totally fighting the urge to clap my hands and shout from the window that I loved the most amazing guy in the world.

“We should go.” He winked and pulled out into traffic.

Then everything went black.

“Lyss? Are you okay?”

I shook my head. I hated it when I daydreamed like that.

Well, technically it wasn’t a daydream, it was a nightmare. But still.

I tried to smile even though my throat felt like it was closing up.

“I’m sorry, what did you say?” My lower lip quivered.

A hot plate of food sat in front of me. Demetri was to my left. “You know what?” He pushed his food away. “I’m not that hungry yet, why don’t we take a walk on the beach?”

I nodded. I don’t know how he knew it, but I needed to get out of that house. I needed to breathe in more air. I needed to feel the salty wind against my face.

Demetri gripped my hand and pulled me through the house.

Our entire walk to the beach was silent.

Once we reached the water, Demetri spoke. “Want to talk about it?”

I shook my head.

“That bad?” He put his arm around me. I tucked my head into his shoulder and nodded. I couldn’t trust myself to speak.

“I wish I could do more than say I’m sorry, Lyss. But know that I am. I don’t know what just happened back there, but you looked like you saw a ghost. If I was smart like Dr. Murray, I’d say you need to bleed your feelings all over the place, but shit…” His arm tightened. “I’m not a doctor, and I know that it hurts like hell when you’re going through something that no one else understands.”