“I love you, too.”

****

I got into the backseat of Alec’s SUV and began nervously wringing my hands together. I knew Demetri would be riding with us. I also knew Demetri probably noticed that Alec didn’t sneak back into their house until about an hour ago. It didn’t help that he had a very satisfied grin on his face.

I took special care in dressing plain. I didn’t want anyone staring at me, I wanted no attention whatsoever. To get attention meant people would notice the not so subtle looks Alec threw my way.

Demetri emerged from the house. He opened the car door and glanced at me. “Hey, Nat.” His voice was sad. I wanted to reach out and touch him, but the temptation to strangle him was also really strong, so I kept my hands in my lap and nodded.

“Hey, Demetri.”

“Listen—” Demetri turned around while Alec drove the car out of the driveway. Oh gosh, there wasn’t any escape at all. I had to sit there and look into Demetri’s eyes while he made me feel like a complete jerk, when really he was the one who was whoring around. Not that I was any better. I cringed when I thought of my behavior over the past few weeks.

“I’m sorry.”

“Huh?” I felt my jaw drop.

He shrugged. “I’m sorry I lied.” And that was it. He turned back around. No more apologies, no more words. It was as if the past few months didn’t even happen. Our history together, the drama between the two of them. I mean, didn’t I at least get an explanation?

The rest of the ride to school was filled with awkward silence and the sound of my breathing. At least that’s what it felt like. By the time Demetri hopped out of the car and I opened my door, I wanted to turn right back around and jog home.

“Hey…” Alec grabbed me as I sat on the edge of the seat, my legs hanging out the door. “If it makes you feel better, it’s rare for him to admit he’s wrong about anything.”

I nodded. “Okay,”

“Class?” Alec held out his hand. I grabbed it. Yes, people would talk and they would stare, but I needed his strength to get me through the day.

By the time the lunch bell rang I was actually feeling pretty positive about the whole situation. Nobody had said anything about my and Demetri’s very public break up, and even though I noticed some girls whispered when I walked in with Alec, for the most part it was a normal day in Hell.

“Nat!” Evan waved me over to our usual table. “So,” he said when I took a seat. “You cut off his balls?”

“Evan!” I slapped him and felt my cheeks blush crimson. “It’s not as bad as that. I mean, he’s a rock star. It’s not my business if that’s the circle he wants to date in.”

“Huh?” Evan looked between me and Alec then leaned forward. “Not talking about last night’s news, Nat. I’m talking about today’s.”

“Today’s?” I looked to Alec, but his eyes were already trained on something across the room. His jaw clenched. I followed his eyes and gasped.

Demetri was making out with a girl from my class. His hands everywhere on her body. I gripped the chair and called him every name I could possibly think of in my head.

Alec made a move to get up. I reached out and stopped him. “Just let him, Alec. If this is how he wants to deal with the past few months, then let him.”

Alec did not look convinced. In fact, it looked like he wanted to murder someone. He pulled out his cell and in very clipped, scary tones ordered one of the security team to give Demetri aid. Like that was going to help, what was he going to do, castrate him?

Sure enough, Bob moved very swiftly through the gathering crowds and whispered something in Demetri’s ear as he assaulted the girl in his chair.

He leaned back, just enough to make eye contact with me, and then with his eyes opened kissed the girl again, alternating between licking her face and tugging her lower lip.

It was like watching  p**n .

If  p**n  took place in high school.

And the lead was a rock star.

“Sometimes I hate my brother.” Alec cursed. “Now do you wonder why we need to take a year off touring? Clearly we’ve got issues.”

“We?” I lifted my eyebrow.

“Yeah, we.” Alec looked down and cursed again.

Within minutes Demetri’s little show was over, and wonder of all wonders as he walked away from the girl who was now pouting in the corner, he grabbed another. Yes, another girl, and began to kiss her.

What type of girl kisses another guy when they still have remnants of a previous kiss plastered across their face?

She pulled back after a few minutes. And I watched Demetri stagger behind Bob as he was escorted out of the cafeteria.

“Is he drunk?”

Alec was silent.

“Alec?”

“Probably.” He looked away. “He doesn’t handle rejection well.”

“He did this!” I pointed at the door, angry that Alec would again take the blame for choices someone else was making. “Not us!”

Alec looked like he wanted to scream; he shook his head and then ran his fingers through his hair. “I know, Nat. It’s just hard to watch this again.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’ll tell you, just not now.”

I nodded, but didn’t trust his word. Both guys had been ridiculously secretive about whatever incident happened between them two years ago. It was stupid vain hope that kept me trusting that he would keep to his promise and actually say something.