Chapter 77: 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.

Nope.

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.

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.

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

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'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. Alec drove us through town until we reached Highway 101.

Alyssa's hand tensed in mine.

I rubbed her skin with my thumb.

Her hands started getting super clammy. I turned to look at her. Her eyes were closed, and she was shaking.

“Lyss,” I whispered in her ear. “What's wrong?”

“Um…” Her lower lip trembled again. “I just…” Her breathing became really shallow.

I tapped Alec's shoulder. “Pull over, man.”

“Dude, we just got on the highway, and—”

“Pull the hell over before I slam my fist into your head.”

“Pulling…” Alec whistled and put the car into park. I unbuckled Alyssa's seatbelt. It was like she was frozen, like she couldn't move. Could people go into shock like this?

“Lyss, talk to me.”

Shaking, she hugged me so tight I almost choked on my next breath. “The — the accident. I haven't driven this far out of town since the accident.”

Damn.

“Panic attack?” She nodded into my chest. “Shit, Lyss, I had no idea! I can be such an ass, I didn't even ask.”

She sniffled against my chest. “To be fair, it's not a normal reaction, so there's no way you would know.”

“Hey.” I gently pried her away from my body and tilted her chin up with my finger. “Who am I to say what's normal and not normal? I eat freaking taffy to curb my cravings for drugs.

A faint smile danced across her face.

“Alyssa, look at me.” She did. “I'm terrified of birds. Not just terrified to get attention, but so freaking terrified that if a bird landed right next to us, I'd leave you. No joke.

She burst out laughing and wiped the tears away from her eyes. “All birds or just seagulls?”

“All birds. I mean, come on. Have you ever seen an ostrich before? There's something very wrong about a bird that can look you straight in the eye. Know what I mean?”

She laughed again and nodded. “Thanks.”

“For what?” I grabbed her hand again. She was so small compared to me. I liked protecting her, being next to her.

“Making me laugh during my insane freak-out. I promise I can do this. I can ride in a car. How far away are we driving?”

“Ten more miles tops. I promise.”

She nodded. “Okay, I can do it. Just… um, I just can't go any farther.”

I bit my lip. “One of these days you'll be able to, Lyss, trust me. And when you're ready to go all crazy and hit up eleven miles or, God forbid, even fifteen, I'll be there.”

Her eyes widened and for a minute I thought she was going to freak out again. Instead, she launched herself into my arms and pressed her lips against mine. “I really like you, Demetri Daniels.”

I sighed against her hot mouth. “I really like you too, Alyssa…” Holy crap. I had no idea what her last name was. I set her on her feet. “What's your last name?”

“I'm hurt, you don't even know?” She swatted me as I led her back to the SUV.

“Well, one of us is famous, so it's not my fault you already know mine.” I opened the door for her and motioned for her to go in. She crossed her arms and shook her head.

“Guess you'll have to do your research, huh?”

I grinned like a fool and nodded my head. “Guess I better.”

We got into the car where Alec and Nat were fighting. Of course, they were.

“Okay, guys, we can go now.”

“No, we can't.” Nat crossed her arms.

“Why?” If the murderous expression on Alec's face was any indicator, Nat was a few seconds away from death.

Nat flipped around and directed her attention toward Alyssa. “You a fan of One Direction?”

Alyssa's deer-in-headlights expression didn't help matters. She looked from Nat to me then finally exhaled. “Okay, honest moment, and if you ever tell anyone I'll swear I never said it.

“But I used to be obsessed with Justin Bieber to the point of stalking his Twitter account daily, and though I haven't listened to music in a while… If One Direction is that new British boy band I keep hearing about then, yes.

Nat grinned and gave Alyssa a high five. “We shall be friends forever.” She turned back to her seat and nudged Alec. “The ladies have spoken. Give us our boy band!”

Alec cursed and flipped the volume up where One Direction was playing their newest hit.

I wanted to punch the seat in front of me. I totally shared Alec's sentiment. I mean, those guys were competition.

You don't see the Seahawks painting their uniforms red in order to support the 49ers. It just wasn't done.

Finally, after Nat belted out the chorus and Alyssa began moving in her seat next to me, I yelled, “Cheaters! Both of you!”

“What?” they yelled in unison.

“Competition!” I pointed at the radio. “That's blatant cheating. From here on out, I say you girls can't listen to any guy music, unless it's us.”

“Agreed,” Alec muttered another curse in Nat's direction. Her response was to stick out her tongue. Clearly the honeymoon phase was over.

“Denied,” Alyssa piped up next to me and gave Nat a high five, shoving me out of the way. I felt my nostrils flare as I repeated Alec's curse and glared at both of the traitors.

It was going to be a really long ten miles.

****

Alec pulled up to the restaurant and turned off the car.

When we first got to Seaside last fall, things got so crazy that the only place we could actually go to eat was this old run-down bed and breakfast on the beach.

Their great-grandkids were also huge fans, which meant they didn't think twice about closing the place down for us if we needed it.

I grabbed Alyssa's hand. It was warm and fit perfectly in mine. I sighed in excitement. Everything about her felt so right. She smiled up at me, and my heart stopped in my chest.

She had no idea what she did to me. She was so beautiful, like my own personal light. I couldn't help but grin back. I felt my cheeks heat. How did a girl make me blush?

“Boys!” Old Mrs. Miller greeted us and swatted Alec with a towel when we walked in. “I just saw you on TV a few days ago! Are you back for good now?”

Alec grinned and pulled Mrs. Miller into a side hug. “Nope, just here for the day, but Demetri's here for a while. Did you know he works at Seaside Taffy? Show her the jingle, bro.”

Damn brother and his inability to keep his mouth shut. Mrs. Miller looked expectantly in my direction. I managed to get through the jingle in record time. Alyssa and Nat clapped.

Alec pursed his lips together and looked away. Payback's a bitch, and I was going to get him one way or another.

Mrs. Miller, bless her heart, just sighed and patted my hand. “That's so nice, Demetri. Good for you! It's good for a boy to work.”

Why was everyone under the impression that I didn't work? I nodded and gave her a hug once Alec released her. “Where's Mr. Miller?”

“Oh, he saw your car pull up and knew you'd want some dinner, so he's firing up the grill out back.”

Excellent. And that was why I loved them. “Come on in. Sit, sit.” It was a really warm night, even though the breeze from the beach was a little cold.

She led us outside to the porch, so we could watch the waves, and passed out blankets to the girls. Our chairs surrounded the little outdoor fireplace.

“What can I get you to drink?” Mrs. Miller pulled out her little notepad and stared at the blank page, her pencil hovering over the paper.

“Coffee for me.” I looked to Alyssa. She tilted her head for a minute.

“Hot chocolate?”

“Ooo, me too,” Nat agreed.

Alec ordered coffee. Straight up black coffee with no sugar, no cream. Boring and gross, but Alec ordered food according to his personality sometimes. I always wanted to add spice to things.

And this is what I mean about losing my mind. How did I get from coffee to our personality differences? Why did I have to be addicted to all drugs?

Clearly I needed something to pull me out of my estrogen-like state. I shuddered and had half a mind to roar or something just to remind myself that I was a dude.

“So, how's it going in Seaside? I mean, how is it really going?

“Are things… hard?” I could tell Alec was trying to ask me about the drugs and my depression in a covert way, but I had no secrets from Alyssa. He shifted in his seat and sighed.

“It hasn't been easy. Actually, it's been hell, but I'm getting there. I feel better than I've ever felt and this one over here…” I nudged Alyssa. “Has magic taffy powers.

She blushed profusely, and then I realized what I had just alluded to. I quickly backtracked. “I mean, when it comes to like food, not physical stuff like… shit.”

Alec's shoulders shook from laughter. “It's okay, I knew what you meant.”

Nat stared at Alyssa and grinned.

“So magic taffy powers?” Alec winked at Alyssa and leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed behind his head, making his shirt pull up just slightly.

She blushed. “Don't let him fool you.

“It's not near as cool as it sounds.” Alyssa didn't seem the least bit affected by Alec's peekaboo six-pack, or the fact that he was flashing her a giant ass smile.

She tucked her head into my shoulder. I kissed her on the hair and grinned.

“Yes. It really is,” I confirmed to Alec, fighting the urge to tell him mine really was bigger than his. I knew he wasn't doing it on purpose, but sometimes I hated how much girls flocked to him.

Couldn't he just be normal for one day, so the girl would follow me instead of him? Did I need to take off my shirt? Belt out a song? Get down on one knee?

Oh shit, I just said knee, which meant proposal, which meant marriage. Why were my hands sweating? I glanced at Alyssa.

Okay, it was more of a stare, a stalker stare that had me watching every breath that escaped her perfectly bow-shaped lips. God, I wanted to taste her again. Would I ever get enough?

Mrs. Miller came with our drinks. Alyssa closed her eyes and took a sip. Damn, what I wouldn't do to be hot chocolate right now. Chocolate ran down the side of the white cup.

Her pink tongue darted out and licked the liquid as she moaned to herself. I take everything back. I just want to be a cheap-ass cup. That's what I want to be.

“I can tell taffy flavors by smelling the wrappers,” Alyssa said, interrupting my ceramic daydream.

“No way!” Nat slapped her own leg. “I bet that comes in handy.”

Alyssa rolled her eyes and took another sip of her hot chocolate. She needed to be done with that drink before I threw caution to the wind and mauled her. “Not really.

“Let me guess.” Alec leaned forward. “He makes you sniff all the wrappers after he eats them to see if you're right?”

“Every time.” Alyssa winked in my direction. My arousal just jumped into overdrive.

Watching her joke with Nat and Alec, the two most important people in my life, and then be so easy-going while doing it. I wanted her so bad.

She sighed and tucked a piece of fallen hair behind her ear, giving me full view of her lips and a tiny drop of hot chocolate that was at the corner of her mouth.

I needed a cold shower stat. Desperate, I looked around for something to distract me. Anything really. My eyes fell on Mrs. Miller kissing her husband. He swatted her ass.

She wiggled in his arms and then did a dance I can only describe as something that should be outlawed in every state. And arousal gone. Good. That was easy. I cleared my throat and tried to relax.

This was supposed to be fun. I was supposed to be bonding; instead, I was resorting to staring at old people in order to keep my pants on. Hi, my name's Mighty, and yes.

“So what else is going on?

“My mom says you're leading group therapy?” Nat asked, sufficiently changing the subject, which I was thankful for, considering I had just thought of at least seven different ways I could kiss Alyssa's neck.

“Yup.” I leaned back in the chair. The smell of steak filled the salty air. “I've only led group once. Actually, our next meeting is in a few days. I don't know. I mean, at first I kept saying no.

“I hate to admit it, I finally said yes, because I wanted to see Alyssa again, but then… I don't know. I feel like a chick saying this, but I liked it.

Nat shrugged. “Demetri, you've always been that way, you just never saw that about yourself.”

“Probably because you were high most of the time,” Alec interjected.

“Thanks, man.” Always good to know I had his support. He smirked in my direction while I gave him the finger. I glanced back at Nat and took another sip of coffee. “Anyway, it's been really good.”

Alyssa was silent next to me. Crap, I had totally outed her in front of Nat and Alec. I reached for her hand. She squeezed it and then winked at me.

I didn't realize I'd been holding my breath until she did that. Relaxing, I leaned back again and listened to the waves.

“I like it here.” Alyssa sighed. “It's peaceful.”

“No autographs,” Alec said.

Nat laughed. “Or panty throwing.”

“Or taffy jingles.” I lifted my cup into the air. “Cheers, everyone.”

We all laughed and clinked glasses.

My stomach growled on cue.

“Okay, boys, got some steak here for you. Rare, just how you like it.

“Oh.” Mr. Miller held up his finger. “I almost forgot the applesauce, I'll be right back.”

“Applesauce?” Alyssa asked.

“Yeah, for the steak and potatoes.” Duh, it was a staple! Like ketchup or mustard.

“Not following.” Alyssa laughed and looked at Nat. “Is he being serious?”

Nat shook her head. “Don't knock it till you try it. I remember the first time Alec introduced me to applesauce at dinner. I thought he was crazy, but it's pretty good.”

Mr. Miller returned with a huge bowl of applesauce. I threw it onto my plate and gave Alyssa a wink.

She scrunched her nose. “Are you really going to eat that with your meat and potatoes?”

“It's tradition.” I acted offended, but really I knew it wasn't that normal for people to put applesauce with dinner. “Actually, I blame our Dutch friends from Canada.

“Hmm.” Alyssa took a spoonful of applesauce and tossed it onto her plate. “If I hate it, I'm blaming you guys.”

“Fine.” I chuckled and cut up my meat.

“No way!” Alyssa yelled. I dropped my fork.

“What? What's wrong?”

Her eyes lit up with astonishment. “That's amazing!”

I took a large bite and shrugged. “So from here on out you should just take my word for it. Demetri is always right.”

“And Demetri shouldn't refer to himself in the third person. It's weird,” Alec interjected.

“Also true.” I thrust my fork into the air. “So what movie are we seeing?”

“Romance,” Nat answered.

“They were pretty rough,” Alec agreed. “But he's a cool dude, so I wanted to support him.”

“He?” Alyssa asked tentatively.

Alec grinned. “Jamie Jaymeson. He's from England. Girls love him, but he sports an American accent in all his action movies. Anyways, he's good people.”

Alyssa nodded. This was the part that made me nervous. Everyone knew who Jaymeson was. I mean, next to Robert Pattinson he was the biggest thing to cross the Atlantic since Twilight.

Did it freak her out to know we were all friends? That it was part of our world and would soon be part of hers too?

It scared the hell out of me when I thought of merging my life with the one in Seaside. It didn't fit.

I wanted it to, but it was like two puzzle pieces that weren't cut to go together, and I didn't know how to fix it. I looked down at my food and sighed.

We ate the rest of our food in silence. I was too hungry to talk, and then when I was finished I couldn't help but stare at Alyssa. Everything about her was sensual.

The way she ate bread was freaking sensual. I really needed to get a hold of myself if I was going to be in the same room with her without dying.

Pretty sure I read somewhere that it could happen to a guy. It seriously felt like it now.

Yes. I wanted to watch her cut her meat. That was how hard I had fallen. I dug out a piece of taffy from my pocket and popped it into my mouth.

Jack Daniels taffy sure did take the edge off. What I wouldn't do for a joint.

“Movie?” Alyssa asked once the plates were cleared.

“Let's do it,” I said, this time watching her as she stood and stretched her little arms above her head, giving me an amazing view of a tight little stomach. God, I was going to die this way.