Can a person’s heart skip a beat? I swear mine just did. I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing happened. I couldn’t find my voice.

Alyssa smirked. “Cat got your tongue?” It was the same thing I’d asked the day before when she was all nervous.

“No.” I jerked her head so that our lips crushed against one another. “You do. You have everything.”

I gave up trying to protect my shattered heart. I gave up trying to be strong. Everything — every single wall I had erected was gone, and in its place was her.

Chapter Twenty-nine

Alyssa

“You smile, I smile,” Brady crooned in my ear. His voice wasn’t the best, but it made me giggle.

“Stop!” I pressed my hands against his chest. “Fine, I’m smiling!”

“Good.” He brought my hand to his lips and kissed my knuckles.

“You know I hate it when you’re sad.”

I rolled my eyes. “Babe, I have you. As long as I have you I’ll always smile. I promise.”

“Nope.” He shook his head. “Not good enough. I need you to promise me you’ll smile even if I’m gone.”

“Like when you’re at school?” I asked, confused.

“Yeah, or when I’m old and gray and I die before you do, because I’m a selfish bastard like that.”

At that I laughed. “Okay, I’ll smile regardless.”

He sighed and dropped my hand. “Sometimes I feel guilty for keeping you, Alyssa. The things I’ve done… I don’t know. I just feel like this giant mess when I’m around you and all your goodness.”

“I can be bad,” I snapped.

“Whoa, easy, killer.” Brady held up his hands. “You know what I mean. Never lose your smile and never lose your innocence, okay? Trust me, it’s not worth it.”

The song continued playing, but I panicked. It wasn’t the same panic I’d had before. It was something else that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. Memories of Brady had been coming back full force, and for some reason I was remembering things differently. Like how whenever we were together it was almost like he was warning me, or like somehow he knew there was an expiration date on our time together.

I needed air. Once outside, I was able to breathe and then all of a sudden I felt peace. It had nothing to do with the warm night air or the salty breeze, and had everything to do with the guy who chased after me.

Demetri Daniels.

I needed him more than I needed the fresh air. I needed his touch, his kiss. Everything about him made me feel whole again.

Being with him wasn’t unhealthy. It wasn’t as if I needed him to live a normal day to day life. No, he just made everything else easier. If I had to climb Mount Everest, I had a feeling Demetri would nod his head and say, “Where do I sign up?”

I needed his positive attitude. But more than anything, I needed his encouragement, his love.

“I choose you.” The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them. And the look on his face was something I don’t think I’ll ever forget.

“Let’s go cut the cake.” I nudged him as we walked back into the party. The rest of the friends were still playing the Kinect, but Alec and Nat were busy cutting cake.

Sam stumbled next to me. I caught his arm and recoiled as the smell of whiskey hit me full force. The only reason I even knew it was whiskey was because I had picked up Brady one night after a drunken party. He had sobbed his eyes out and said he was sorry. I think he felt bad that he was drunk.

“Sorry.” Sam reached for my arm and nearly missed. I put my hand in his and led him over to the couch.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m so done!” he yelled.

Just then Holly ran up to him with Aaron by her side. “Let’s get you home, Sam.”

He shook his head no and pulled a flask out of his pocket, nearly missing his own mouth as he took a sip. Soon I felt Demetri’s hand on my back.

“Dude, no alcohol.”

Sam just laughed.

Soon Alec had him in the air and pressed against the wall.

Holy muscles. My eyes widened as Alec slammed him against the wall. “Leave before I call the police.”

“She doesn’t deserve your shit.” Sam spat. “You should know that right now, Alyssa. He’s going to mess up one of these days. Just like Brady.”

Alec dropped him, he fell to his knees. Everything happened in slow motion as I saw murderous rage cloud Demetri’s features.

He lunged for Sam, but Aaron held him back.

“Son of a bitch!” Demetri jerked against Aaron’s arms. “Get the hell out of my house right now!”

“He’s mad because he knows.” Sam pushed himself off the floor. “Isn’t that right, Holly? Everyone knows what a bastard my brother was.”

“Stop it!” I yelled. “Stop!” No one was expecting me to launch myself on a guy, but I couldn’t help myself. I began beating his chest with my fists. “Take it back! Take it back!”

Soon I felt Demetri’s arms around me, lifting me off of Sam.

I’d gotten a few good hits in, but I may as well have just gotten into a fight with a wall. My knuckles were bloody.

“Shh.” Demetri tried to calm me down.

“He was perfect!” I shouted, directing my anger toward Sam. “He was a star quarterback! He was good son! A wonderful person!”

Demetri tightened his hold on me.