Pull

Seriously. Seaside had to be the worst place in the world to live if you were trying to nurse a broken heart. Something about being on a beach was a little too romantic for me to take in.

My cell phone buzzed.

COME OVR.

It was from Demetri.

After our non-date the night before, I hadn’t heard from him. I couldn’t help the broad smile that spread across my face.

ON MY WAY.

GR8.

I shoved my phone into my pocket and walked toward his house. It was only a mile away from city center. You could easily walk there from the boardwalk.

Once his house came into view, I picked up the pace. I was totally out of breath by the time I reached his door. I knocked twice and waited.

The door flung open.

It wasn’t Demetri.

“Hey,” the guy said. My eyes bugged. Holy crap! He had super dark hair and crystal blue eyes. He was just as big as Demetri, and his smile was absolutely killer. I felt myself blush, so I looked away.

“I, uh, I’m here to see Demetri.”

“Interesting,” hot guy said, crossing his arms. I assumed it was Demetri’s brother but couldn’t be sure. I’d never seen him up close.

“How so?” I countered.

The guy threw his head back and laughed. “You look nothing like I thought you would.”

“Um…” I tried to think of something to say, but my mind was completely blank. Was he making fun of me?

He laughed again.

This time I was pissed. “Look…” I braced my hand against the screen door and glared. “I don’t know who the hell you are, but I’m here to see my friend. Now wipe that ridiculous grin off of your face and let me in. Otherwise, I’m going to tell Bob you hit on me.”

His grin widened. He pushed the door open revealing Demetri. “She passed bro with flying colors.” He nodded his head in my direction and held out his hand. “Alec Daniels.”

“Your brother’s an ass.” This I directed toward Demetri, who looked like he was about ready to kiss me senseless and peel my shirt from my body. What did I do? How did I pass?

“I couldn’t agree more,” Demetri said, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Come on in, I want you to meet someone else.”

I inched past Alec, who was at that very moment trying his hardest to keep me from actually entering the house, and grabbed Demetri’s outstretched hand.

“Nat!” he yelled.

I winced when he yelled for a second time.

“Hey!” Mrs. Murray’s daughter was suddenly in front of me. Honestly, it was like watching one of those teenage soap operas. Every player in the room was drop-dead gorgeous. I suddenly had the urge to burn all my clothes and get a makeover.

Her long golden blond hair was streaked with honey highlights.

Her brown eyes had little makeup surrounding them, and her smile was freakishly bright.

“Hi,” I mumbled, stepping closer to Demetri for protection.

The only experience I had with friends that were girls came from when I was on the cheerleading squad. And every single one of them abandoned me when Brady was out of the picture, and I was kicked off the squad for missing so many practices. It wasn’t long after that, that I quit school and finished my last year and a half through online courses.

She tilted her head. “Alec’s right, you know. You’re way prettier than I could even imagine. And you’re super short!”

“Thank you?” I offered looking between her and Demetri.

Alec walked around me and pulled Nat into a hug, kissing the top of her head. “So…” he began. “You the chick my brother’s been writing songs about?”

“What?” My voice shrieked. I looked at Demetri. A guilty smile plastered across his face, and then I looked back at Alec who seemed pleased to throw his brother under the bus. “Okay, Edward-wannabe, explain.”

Alec laughed. “Demetri, I think your girlfriend just insulted me.”

“I’m not his —”

“She’s good at making men feel small.” Demetri laughed.

Nat clapped her hands. “Then she’s perfect for you.”

Okay. They were all high. Or something! They even finished each other’s sentences. What the heck kind of house did I just walk into? Didn’t help that I felt like I had just stepped into Twilight. I mean, who actually looks this perfect up close? Alec was beautiful.

Nat was I want to scratch your eyes out, but you’re too nice gorgeous, and then there was Demetri. Perfect Demetri.

He cleared his throat.

Nat punched Alec. “We, uh, we were just leaving. We only flew in for the day to grab the rest of my stuff for school, and I sorta begged Demetri to meet you.”

“Oh.” I didn’t know what to do with that. “Well, we can, um, hang out if you guys want to.” I looked at the three of them.

Shock registered on Demetri’s face. He opened his mouth to speak, but Nat began pumping her fist in the air.

“No.” Demetri crossed his arms. “I will not subject her to you guys. Not now, possibly not ever.”

“Why?” everyone asked in unison, totally cornering Demetri.

“You ashamed of me?” I teased.

Alec snickered. “More like he’s afraid we’ll tell you all his secrets, and you’ll realize how lame he is and drop his sorry ass.”

“Thanks, man.” Demetri glared. “But I kind of thought Alyssa and I could…”