Pull (Seaside #2)(52)

“I have decided to Die Another Day.”

“I’ve got nothing.” Alec cursed. “Damn, how is it that you beat me at the movie game every single time?”

“I’m sorry, did you not get the whole 007 reference? I’m freaking awesome.”

Alec sighed. “Fine. Tell me what made you like James Bond, and hurry. Nat’s been begging for me to take her to the mall so she can buy you a birthday present.”

“Tell her nothing pink. It makes me look pale.”

“Noted. Now speak, Dr. No, before I hang up on you.”

I nodded in appreciation, even though he couldn’t see me. “I totally forgot about Dr. No, good one. You still lost, but good one.

Anyway…” I moved my guitar and lay across my bed. “I got everyone out of the house without any of the paparazzi seeing them.”

“How’d you do that?”

“Magic.”

Silence. “What, you used your wand?”

“Hilarious. No, my brain. You know all that Cristal our publicist sent over from the record agency and everyone else?”

“Yeah?”

I laughed. “Let’s just say we had a lot of really happy reporters on our front lawn. I passed out all the free shit and they flocked. I gave autographs and the whole time the rest of the gang walked out the back and down the street. Bob drove the cars one by one down the block until they all had their rides and all without any pictures taken.”

“Wow, brilliant Demetri, and without drugs or your wand.

I’m impressed.”

“I live to impress my older brother.”

“And Nat,” Alec interjected. “Don’t forget Nat.”

“Am I on speakerphone?”

“Why can’t I get you pink, Demetri? Remember the pink shirt I got you at —”

“No, I’ve blocked that memory, and it said I sing for Seaside. I almost got punched when I wore that shirt. No pink, Nat. No pastels. Get me a guy gift. It is my nineteenth birthday. I think I deserve it.”

“Fine,” she grumbled. “Alec, you ready?”

“Gotta run, bro. It’s time to go into Nat’s quantum of solace.”

“Huh?” Nat said as Alec and I both burst out laughing.

“Some things are just for our eyes only, Nat,” I said and then hung up. Damn, I missed my brother sometimes.

I looked at my phone. I wanted to call Alyssa so bad. My fingers ran across her number. Should I? Shouldn’t I? Someone punch me and put me out of my misery. For some reason I felt like she needed her space today, after everything that happened; it just seemed like she was distant.

I decided against it. Space. I needed to give her space and stop being such a damn girl. Trying to distract myself, I ran down the stairs and pulled out a soda from the fridge. I flipped the TV on and jumped onto the couch, causing enough air to move that the papers from group fluttered off the coffee table.

Cursing, I bent to grab them and froze when I saw a name.

Brady.

Thinking it was Alyssa’s I picked it up.

It wasn’t Alyssa’s.

Oh God, I thought I was going to be sick. It couldn’t be Alyssa’s; there was no way it was. Part of me wished it was hers. I needed to look away. I needed to throw the paper away and pretend like I didn’t see it, but I did. I saw everything.

Dear Brady,

I’m sorry I never told you about the baby. It just felt like there was never a good time, and you were so happy with Alyssa. I couldn’t do it. I tried to so many times. The night before you died, I even went to your house. I had this huge speech built up. I was a few months along and knew I was going to start showing. I still hadn’t told Aaron it was you, but I knew I needed to tell you first. I remember ringing your doorbell and then I heard laughter. It was her. It was Alyssa, and I thought, why would I ruin her life for my mistake? I was drunk, you were drunk. It didn’t mean anything, and I was so tired of crying. Of bringing others down with me.

So I left. I remember your confused look as you opened the door. Alyssa came bounding out behind you, you wrapped your arms around her and kissed her, and I knew I made a good decision.

The next day I started bleeding. It was like the baby rejected being inside me. Was it because I was an awful person for not telling the baby’s dad? I never got the chance though. Because the same day our baby died, you lost your life too. I regret not telling you that you were a father, only because I think you would have been a great father, and because you were a great person inside and out. I know you didn’t mean to cheat on her.

You guys had been together for a while. You were inseparable. Alcohol has a way of messing with us, doesn’t it? I guess what I’m trying to say is I’m sorry. But I’m so glad that our baby is in heaven with you. I’m glad you get to be a father, even if I lost the chance to be a mother.

I’m sorry, Brady…

Holly.

Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit! I slammed my hand against the table, causing a slicing pain to radiate from my thumb all the way up my forearm.

After cursing for another five minutes. I grabbed the pieces of paper and ran next door. I let myself in, I mean I usually only did that when Nat was home, but this was an emergency.

I banged on the door to Mrs. Murray’s office. “I have to talk to you. Now!” I was going to freaking lose my mind if she didn’t open the door and — “— Demetri? I’m just finishing up with another client. Why don’t you wait on the couch, okay?” Her eyes narrowed as she took in my panic-stricken face. “Don’t do anything stupid. Just sit and pull yourself together, alright?”