Shatter

Demetri cursed. “Whatever, man. I could freaking call her out on national television wearing nothing but a tiara and a smile, and she’d still hate you more than me. Why do you think that is anyways?”

I shifted uncomfortably in my chair and cleared my throat a few times. “Yeah, well, I’m not very likeable.” My heart slammed against my chest, Guilty, guilty, guilty. I winced.

“Tell that to them.” Demetri pointed to the part of the beach that was sectioned off for our safety while filming. Several girls stood on the other side of the barrier with signs that were anything but appropriate for TV.

A camera was thrust in my face as I scowled in Angelica’s direction again and rolled my eyes.

Nat hopped onto my lap and kissed my neck. I watched as Angelica’s face tightened into a murderous rage. She pushed up from her chair and began stomping toward us just as a Frisbee sailed by her face. She cursed and fell onto Jaymeson’s lap, poor guy. I looked up to see Demetri smirking in my direction. I joined in laughter while Angelica, former child star, whined at Jaymeson and gave him bedroom eyes.

I pitied the guy. He rose from his seat and helped her to her feet, but not before she smacked a giant kiss on his cheek and pinched his butt. Jaymeson grinned and winked in my direction. Angelica’s eyes locked on mine as she caressed Jaymeson’s backside.

I knew that look. I shivered and looked away.

Nat began massaging my shoulders from the front sitting position she was in. I closed my eyes and leaned into her.

“You seem upset,” she murmured against my neck, wrapping her arms around my body.

I shrugged.

“Don’t.” She tilted my chin toward her and pointed her finger in my face. “Don’t be an ass and close me out.”

I smirked.

“And don’t smirk. It makes you look too attractive and I’m scolding you right now.” She huffed, though her eyes darted to my lips a few times before she finally held her head high and looked away.

“Sorry?” I offered.

“Was that a question or an apology?”

Laughing, I lifted her into the air and threw her over my shoulder. “Apology!”

“Alec!” She punched my back and her legs kicked in the air. “Put me down!”

“Nope!” I chuckled. “Hey, everyone, Nat wants to go swimming!”

“But you’re supposed to be doing a bonfire!” Ruben was yelling and holding up marshmallows and sticks. I snorted. I had a few ideas where he could stick both of those objects but I restrained myself, just barely, and threw up my one spare hand while Nat struggled in my arms.

“Ain’t reality TV if it isn’t real!” I raced toward the ocean with a squealing Nat in my arms.

“Alec! Seriously! Put me down! The ocean is freezing!” Nat wiggled against me. I really should have thought twice about the whole ocean idea, considering my lack of restraint at the moment.

I purposefully set her down, slowly allowing her body to slide over mine, loving how her eyes darkened as she swayed in front of me. “You were saying, sweetheart?”

“Cheater.” Her eyes narrowed.

My stomach plummeted to the ground. It felt like I had stopped breathing all together, but I knew I still was because I hadn’t passed out yet. “Come on.” I shook myself out of my dark thoughts and nodded toward the ocean. “Take a swim with me.”

“Make me.” She glared.

“You know I’ll win, Nat. Come on… be spontaneous… take your clothes off.” I laughed as she swatted me and took off her shirt revealing a white bikini top.

“Mm, that’s more like it.” I peeled my shirt off and crooked my finger at her. Nat’s eyes were focused on my abs. Her eyes devoured me until I was almost embarrassed that there were cameras around. What I wouldn’t do for a few seconds alone with the girl.

I wish I could say we’d been spending the last few weeks in coupled bliss, but with so many cameras around it had been hard to even get the girl alone long enough to kiss her. Which of course made me a desperate starving man — it was like they were torturing me on purpose so I really would do something crazy and freak out.

Well… it was working.

“Lost your nerve, hmm?” Nat taunted.

“No.” I reached out and cupped her chin. “Just taking in the view.”

I pulled her against me and kissed her, just as Demetri ran by me, flipped us off, and jumped into the ocean. Soon followed by a giggling Alyssa and Jaymeson.

Angelica stayed by the bonfire with her arms crossed. Pissed. Figured. The last time I’d seen that girl smile was when… I stopped my thoughts and nearly choked on my tongue as Nat crooked her finger in my direction.

Nat tugged me into the ocean, and we all splashed one another and laughed. If I could have just stayed in that moment forever, with my brother, his adorable girlfriend, and the love of my life…

I’d be content.

That’s what’s so damn confusing about life. Things are never as they seem, especially when your first name is Alec and your last name is Daniels.

I swallowed the building anxiety and told myself no amount of drugs or alcohol would rid me of the guilt I felt. Nope. Only death. And if I was going to burn in Hell, I was going to take the evil witch responsible for everything with me.

Chapter Two

Alec

Later, watching Nat play in the ocean brought me back to that moment. The first time I saw her. My world had tilted on its axis — and to this day, it has yet to return to normal.