Pull (Seaside #2)(43)

“How’d it go?”

“Shitty,” I answered and threw the stupid Seaside sweatshirt across the room.

“What happened?” I could tell he was walking, because I heard the car alarm go off and then the doors unlock.

“She told me we needed time apart. That it was too much, you know, the whole it’s-not-you-it’s-me garbage.”

“I’m sorry, man.”

I rolled my eyes. “Don’t be.”

“I’m confused. Aren’t you pissed?”

“I’m more than pissed, and I even told her so. I kind of told her no.”

Alec was silent, and then, “Dude, when did you grow a pair?”

“Last night in my sleep, you ass. Now listen, I kind of got angry with her and went all protective barbarian he-man.” I still couldn’t believe I’d raised my voice at her and refused to give up.

“Did you pound your chest and roar?”

I laughed. “Tempted to, but no.”

“Then you’re good.”

“That’s it?” I cursed. “No words of wisdom from the older, happier, non-drug-addicted brother?”

Alec cleared his throat. “Love her.”

“How do you love a person who doesn’t even love themselves or see how their behavior is self-destructive?” Whoa.

And suddenly the giant light exploded in my head. So that’s what all that therapy was about. How do you let others in when you can’t even look in the mirror? The answer is, you can’t. But hopefully by showing them that they are lovable, they will start to see the truth.

“You still there, man?” Alec asked.

“Yeah, um, I gotta go.” I pressed end and threw on a Henley shirt and put my phone in my pocket.

I had a girl to kiss.





Chapter Twenty


Demetri


Note to self, this looked way easier in the movies and music videos. Why the hell was I shimmying up this girl’s house, when a normally sane person would go through the door? I mean, come on. It was ten. Nobody went to bed at ten. I was sure her parents were still up watching Wheel of Fortune or crap reality TV.

My foot slipped, making my face slam against the roof.

I waited for a few seconds before continuing my climb. I really hoped that was her room, because if it wasn’t, I was probably going to get arrested. But it was the only room with the light on upstairs, and I heard the TV downstairs. I just figured she’d be the sulking type.

I mean, I was the king of all sulking. I noticed it in others.

Finally, I reached the window and peered in. Yes, I peered in like the creepy stalker I was.

Alyssa was leaning back against her bed listening to music.

Well, that was a plus. At least she was listening to music. Though, seriously if I had to tour with Justin Bieber or One Direction the next year I was going to shit a brick. I could not, and I repeat, could not handle competition in my fragile state. Especially if she liked them. I may have to steal her iPod. Great, now I was stealing.

I knocked on the window.

She jerked her head in my direction, her mouth dropped open, and then she pulled a blanket around her.

Holy hell, she was wearing the tiniest shorts I’d ever had the pleasure of seeing. They were white. Damn. Parents should warn their daughters about what wearing white does to guys. It immediately makes me want to peel them off of her. Her small black tank top wasn’t helping matters. The tank top said Cheer.

You can take the girl away from cheerleading, but apparently can’t take cheerleading away from the girl. What the crap? Did I really just say that in my head? I should probably be on meds.

I knocked again.

She glared and shook her head no.

I lifted my shirt and showed her my abs.

She laughed. See? I could be funny and relaxed.

With a very exaggerated eye roll, she walked over to the window and opened it up. I slipped in and immediately kissed her on the mouth, not caring that she was probably going to slap me any second.

Instead, she kissed me back.

I lifted her up into my arms and pulled her against me. She wrapped her arms around my neck and let out a tiny moan.

It was my undoing.

I gently placed her back on her feet and went to close the window. I grabbed her arm and led her to the bed where I pushed her up against it.

“Why are you here?” she asked between kisses.

I chose to ignore all questions, considering all I really wanted were my hands everywhere on her body. They had a mind of their own as they roamed across her smooth skin, lifting her shirt just enough to give me a tease of her flat stomach.

“Demetri.” She pushed against me. This time I relented.

“I can’t let you go,” I whispered.

“What?” She tried to back away from me but she was trapped between my body and the bed. She wasn’t going anywhere.

“I mean…” I snuck in another kiss. “You can push all you want, but I’m not going anywhere.” I grabbed a fistful of her hair and let it fall between my fingers. The air filled with the smell of coconut.

“Even if that’s what’s best for me?”

“You don’t know what’s best for you.” I shook my head. “If you had it your way, you’d still be sitting alone in your room wearing Brady’s old sweatshirts and flipping through your high school yearbook. Alyssa, that’s not life. This, what you’re living, isn’t real.”