Strung

Why were they still kissing? Didn’t he know Nat wasn’t one of those girls? Not the type you go fast with — you had to savor girls like her.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and straddled him.

And then one of them, I think it was Nat, stood up to leave. But Demetri pulled her back down and covered her body with his, moving against her slowly.

Shit. He was practically having sex with her in public.

I expected clothing to go flying any minute.

And then my brother shocked me. Instead of taking what would be so easy, instead of getting what he wanted, instead of being selfish — he stopped kissing her. Helped her to her feet and kissed her forehead.

As if she was precious.

Well, that changed things.

They walked hand-in-hand back towards the houses. I stepped back a bit so I was hidden in the shadows.

Demetri kissed her hand, yelled something about not needing a ride and then walked towards our house. While a shocked Nat looked on.

Once Demetri was in front of the house, he looked up.

I knew he saw me.

He knew I was watching.

I’d seen everything and part of me wondered — if he did it on purpose.

My answer came five minutes later when Demetri knocked on my door and let himself in. “You enjoy the show?”

“Yeah, not your usual flare, but it was still good.”

He threw a pillow at my face. “Hilarious.”

I smiled — a real smile — and he returned it.

Whatever happened, was good, things were good. For the first time in a long time. Was it her? Did she make him that happy?

“She really likes you.” I said, fishing for more information.

“You think so?” Demetri sounded a bit unsure as he sat on the bed and looked out the window. “She makes me feel good.”

“I’m glad,” I lied. “You deserve to feel good, Dem.”

“Thanks, man.” He self-consciously rubbed his head with his hands. “Are we good? You and me? Like are we cool?”

I thought about the girl next door. If this was how Demetri was acting after a week. Imagine a year from now. I’d finally have my brother back.

“Yeah, man.” I nodded. “We’re cool.”

“Good.” His shoulders sagged in relief as he walked to the door, he stopped and whispered, “It’s been a week.”

“A week?”

“Since I’ve gotten high.” He didn’t turn around. “I just, I don’t know maybe it’s stupid. I just thought it’s something you may want to know.”

He’d never shared that kind of information with me before. I felt honored and panicked at the same time. “Man, I’m so proud of you.”

“Thanks.” Demetri turned around and flashed me a smile. “Maybe Seaside won’t be so bad after all, huh?”

“Right,” I agreed, “What could possibly happen?”

We shared a laugh and I decided to turn in. I had no idea, no freaking clue, that Seaside would almost be my brother’s downfall.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Alec

THE BEST THING about living in Seaside? Being able to run on the promenade. The air was crisper in Oregon than it was in Malibu; it had a different smell, a different bite as it hit my skin. I loved it.

It was my third day running; this time I went an extra mile then back-tracked on the prom back towards our house.

And saw Nat doing her own run.

I wondered if she even realized how sexy she looked right then. With sweat pouring off her face, and pieces of hair falling out of her ponytail. Pretty sure if I was still the same guy I was two years ago, I would have attacked her, pushed her down into the sand and had my way with her.

I shook the betraying thought from my head. Demetri’s. And he was trying. Damn him, he was trying.

Nat still hadn’t seen me, so I ran up along side her and said in a casual voice, “Didn’t take you as the type to exercise.”

Her eyes narrowed like I’d offended her. Shit, I didn’t mean it that way, it’s just she’d tripped twice in the same day, in the same hall, within the same six-hour period.

“Yeah, well” — she finished tying her shoe — “I didn’t take you for the type to do anything but sit and brood, guess we’re even.”

Touché. I smirked and fought the urge to burst out laughing. It was comical that she thought I had no personality — then again she didn’t know me, she didn’t know that I did, in fact, smile and that I rarely ate small children for breakfast.

Hell, it’s not like I kicked puppies for sport or anything.

With a small laugh, I shrugged. “Want some company?” That tiny voice, I think it was my conscience, told me I needed to tread carefully. But it was running! I could have her as a running partner, right?

Nat’s cute eyebrows pushed together in a frown. “You want to run with me?”

“I think I can keep up.”

“I run fast.” She crossed her arms.

I shrugged. “Okay.”

“I listen to music.”

Damn what was with her and excuses? It’s not like I was asking her to flash me or something! I held up my iPhone so she’d see that I wouldn’t be talking her ass off the entire time.

“Sounds great.” Hah, right. Her smile didn’t reach her eyes and she looked like she was ready to puke. Was it me? Did she hate me that much? What exactly had Demetri said to her last night? “Ready?”