“Pretty sure my feelings don’t cross into familial territory.” I smiled as I heard Alec yell at Demetri and Demetri curse back at Alec. “I, um, I really like him.”

Nat didn’t have a chance to answer as both guys came bounding down the stairs looking like high school football players.

My heart clenched.

There was no way Demetri could know. I mean, how could he? But the vision in front of me was too familiar. It transported me back to a time I wanted to forget yet hold onto. I was so torn with my memories of Brady.

Demetri was hot. I mean, ridiculously hot in that sweatshirt.

It said Seaside High Football, and it fit him tighter than most sweatshirts should fit a person, making his muscles bulge beneath the shirt. His hat was backward, but his long curly blond hair strained beneath it, as if it didn’t want to be hidden, much like Demetri. Always in the spotlight, always joking around. The man was like sunshine. Which kind of sucked, when you wanted nothing more than to live your life in a dark hole of guilt and sadness.

“You okay?” He walked up to me and pulled me in for a quick hug.

A muffled yes escaped my lips as he held my head against his chest. The steady beat of his heart helped me get my breathing under control, and then he kissed the top of my head. “I like you, you know.”

Again, he had no idea that Brady was identical in the way he conveyed his emotions. I wasn’t able to respond. I knew my eyes were getting watery, because I could feel it. But I didn’t want to cry, not in front of everyone. This was supposed to be fun. I mean, I was hanging out with AD2 for crying out loud!

Most girls my age would murder me on the spot for even thinking about tears at this moment.

I took a soothing breath and grabbed Demetri’s hand. “So, where are we going to eat?”

Demetri looked to Alec and back. “Somewhere… special.”

“Why do I get the feeling there’s trickery involved?” I asked as we walked out of the house.

“Always is,” Nat mumbled behind me. “Get used to it.”

Chapter Sixteen

Demetri

Okay, so it’s possible I’m going a little insane. I mean, I went to bed last night thinking of one thing. And it wasn’t getting high, drunk, or even having sex, though that would have been nice, if you get my meaning.

Nope. It was about a short little girl who had managed to get herself so fully into my consciousness that I stared at the ceiling for like three hours doing nothing but smiling like an idiot and strumming my guitar.

Yeah, I was losing my mind.

I mean, what type of guy sits and stares into space for hours on end? Okay, let me clarify — what kind of sober guy does that? I wrote three songs. They were all about her, and I’m not gonna lie.

It’s probably some of the best stuff I’ve come up with in years.

Alec freaked out and immediately called, saying he and Nat were going to make an impromptu trip back to Seaside to make sure I wasn’t still on drugs.

Seriously? As if they couldn’t trust me. I mean, I didn’t screw up that bad, did I? Well, okay fine. So I almost died, but still.

A little trust never killed a person.

They spent the day with me, and I finally caved. I had to tell them about Alyssa. I mean, clearly some sort of action needed to happen if a perfectly healthy eighteen-year-old is smiling like a mad man for hours on end.

They immediately wanted to meet her. Shit, I wanted them to meet her too. I mean she was slowly changing my world.

Around her I didn’t feel like I had to be anything but myself, and I hate to admit it, but it kinda felt like she needed me just as much as I needed her.

With Nat, things always seemed off-balance. It was like I was pulling all her energy, all her affection, everything that made her Nat, and trying to suck it into my black hole of depression. She willingly gave, but I offered nothing back in return. With Alyssa, well, it felt balanced.

I finally feel balanced without pot or some sort of chemical, and it was the best high I could ever experience in my life.

At first Alyssa seemed pissed that Alec was breathing the same air as her, which was totally fine by me. I hated the competition with my brother, and I… I mean, I knew he loved Nat, but it would kill me if Alyssa liked him too.

I’d probably get in another car accident or off myself. I mean, seriously. A guy can only handle so much rejection, right?

But she was freaking awesome. Dude, she even cursed. I laughed aloud, then realized it wasn’t daydream time with Demetri when Alyssa nudged me and lifted her totally cute eyebrows.

“Sorry.” I cleared my throat. “So, you guys hungry?” Wow, good subject change. Almost hurt myself with that one.

“Starving.” Alyssa scooted closer to me. God, I wanted to kiss her again. And the fact that she made me my own taffy? I mean, come on. A year ago I would have laughed in her face.

Today I kind of wanted to cry. Stupid sober emotions rearing their ugly heads again.

“Good.” I pulled her closer. Screw it. I was going to kiss her.

Life’s too short. I leaned down and kissed her cheek. But it was so soft, and at the moment my lips touched her skin I knew I wanted more. I tilted her head toward mine and drank in the softness of her mouth.

“Told you he wanted to make out with her,” Nat announced from the front seat. I flipped them off while still kissing Alyssa.

Mature, I know.

She giggled and pulled away, a slight blush staining her cheeks. I sighed happily and grasped her hand. She squeezed back.