“Any cameras?” Demetri asked Bob before we went out the entrance.

He shook his head. “One, but he left a while ago.”

“Good.” Demetri’s grip tightened on my hand as he pulled me through the door and walked me outside. “Sorry, I’ve had the same damn photographer following me for the past year. Everyone else gave up on my boring life, but this one’s convinced I’m not going to stay clean. So he’s like a friendly stalker. Sometimes I even buy him Starbucks.”

“So, why are you nervous about him all of a sudden?”

Demetri put his arm around me. “I don’t want him taking your picture.”

I tensed. Was he ashamed of me?

“Stop being a girl,” he whispered into my hair. “It has nothing to do with not wanting to be seen with you. Hell, I’ll shout it in the streets if you want. I just don’t think you want people digging into your past right now. Am I right?”

I hadn’t even thought of that. Terror swept through me at the thought of seeing the news again. Pictures of the totaled truck, our prom picture, and finally the service at the football field.

“Thanks.” I shuddered.

“No problem.” His face brushed against the top of my head as his lips found my cheek. “Sorry.” He seemed almost embarrassed.

“What for?” I fought back a grin.

“I can’t seem to help myself.” He smiled mischievously and pulled me down the alleyway and flush against his body. Instantly his lips found mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck. With a moan he pulled back. “Let’s go do something.”

My eyes widened.

He rolled his. “Good Lord, not that. Get your head out of the gutter.”

“Not my fault you put it there.”

“Really?” His smile was contagious as his teeth grazed my lower lip and gave it a little tug. The guy was way too good at kissing. In fact there should be strict laws against really attractive celebrities and kissing.

“Stop.” I put my hand against his chest and froze.

Everything about him was so solid and strong. I ran my hand down the middle of his chest across his abs, somewhat in awe.

“If you keep doing that I’m going to toss up your skirts here in the alleyway.”

“I’m not wearing a skirt.”

“Damn.” He looked down. “Next time. It’s so much easier that way.” He winked. I punched him in the arm.

“Okay, so what do you want to do? I have to work tomorrow, so we can’t stay up super late.”

Demetri put his hand over his heart. “Alyssa, are you agreeing to hang out with me? As a friend?”

“Do friends kiss?” I countered.

“My friends do.”

“Good thing I’m your only one.” I rolled my eyes.

“Not true, both Sam and Connor gave me friend vibes at group. I also have their numbers.”

“And you’re planning on kissing them too?”

“Nah, I mean, I’m not like that. I don’t just go kissing other people… now if one of them made the first move…” He put his hands in the air signaling he’d be okay with it.

I burst out laughing.

His face was serious. I immediately stopped laughing. Oh my gosh, was he serious?

And then he smirked and laughed. “Wow, did you really think I played for both teams? I’m not sure if I should be offended or complimented. I guess I do have great style. I mean we already know how awesome I look in that Seaside Taffy visor.”

“Yes. Homeless,” I answered.

“Hot and homeless?” He looked hopeful.

“Not so much.”

“Can’t win ‘em all!” He winked and grabbed my hand.

“Come on, I know just what we can do.”

Chapter Fourteen

Demetri

I was still so stoked she was holding my hand that I nearly tripped on my own feet as I led her out of the alleyway.

Classy. I had officially made out with the hottest girl on the planet in the middle of an alleyway in Seaside, Oregon. The old Demetri would have given me a high five. But she deserved better than that.

Which is why it was important that she have fun right then.

“Hurry.” I tugged her arm toward the opposite end of the street. When we reached the destination I triumphantly threw my hands in the air and yelled “Bumper cars.”

“I’ve never done this before.” She laughed breathlessly.

“You live here! How could you just pass it by?”

She shrugged. “I know it’s strange. I was always too scared when I was little and then after the accident, the whole car thing…”

Her crystal blue eyes met mine. I wanted to punch myself for being so insensitive. She had survived a car crash, and I was taking her to bumper cars. Really? How stupid could I be?

“Its fine. I want to do it.” She put her hands on her hips and exhaled. “I can do it.”

“Are you sure?”

“Totally.” She nodded once and walked further into the outdoor carnival area. It was like a garage on the street. They had the bumper cars and Tilt-A-Whirl covered just in case it rained, which it usually did nearly every day during the winter and spring.

It wasn’t helpful for those who were fighting depression — or drug addictions for that matter. I swear I still couldn’t figure out how half the population wasn’t addicted to something or other.

I paid the man and ran to the red car. Little kids shuffled around us. Being competitive, I felt the need to trash talk a bit. The kids ate it up. And one tiny nerdy kid stole the red car. I’ll get him later.