Pull

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? I scooped her up and into my arms placing her on her feet just outside the SUV.

“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. You think that’s normal?”

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. I’d get in the car, and it’s possible you’d hear very unmanly noises coming from my mouth.”

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. I’m sure I’ll love them.”

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.