Tear

“Yes, I do.”

“Come on.” He held out his hand. I grabbed it. Demetri led me through the crowded halls, the security detail followed close behind.

When we got to the principal’s office, it was clear that any woman with a heartbeat would gladly murder me and take my place. For one second I thought the receptionist was going to rip her own shirt off and confess undying love.

I quickly grabbed her family picture and put it face down on the counter while Demetri smooth talked her. Nobody should have to witness this tragedy.

After a few minutes, in which I watched him sign a few autographs for the office staff, he winked at me and we were off.

“Did you just use bribery?”

“No.” He laughed. “I smiled.”

I chuckled. “What am I going to do with you? So cocky…”

“Anything you want, Nat. I’m yours.” He stopped walking and pulled me into his embrace. His lips were on mine before I could protest.

Guiltily, I kissed him harder. I wanted the memory of Alec’s lips gone. I was still hurt, and now I was using Demetri to make me feel better. He moaned and wrapped his arms around me, crushing my body against his. Muscles flexed in his jaw as I leaned up and kissed his chin.

“Nat,” he ground out tearing himself away from me. “If you keep kissing me back like that, I’m not going to behave.”

I bit my lip, then quickly remembered Alec’s earlier warning. As if I summoned him up out of nowhere, he walked up behind us, his lips in a grim line.

“Skipping school?”

“Nat wasn’t feeling well.” Demetri shrugged.

“I wonder why. She looked fine in your arms a few seconds ago.” His eyes were accusing.

I wanted to scream, So what? Yes, I kissed my boyfriend, and yes, it was minutes after kissing you! But you said no! You practically threw me into your brother’s arms, and now you think you have a right to be mad at me?

I felt my nostrils flare. Alec took a step back, then smirked. “Whatever, I just came outside to grab something from the car. You kids have fun.” And just like that he was gone.

And my heart was in my throat for the second time that day.

“Come on.” Demetri unlocked the car.

“How’s Alec going to get home?” I buckled my seatbelt and watched his disappearing form as he reentered the school.

“I left Lloyd with him, he’ll catch a ride. Don’t worry, my brother is very capable of taking care of himself.”

“Right.” I knew that. I just didn’t need Demetri to know that I knew that.

“So…” Demetri turned the key in the ignition and put the car in reverse. “I have all afternoon and then I need to go to your mom’s for an appointment.”

“Do you guys go every week?” I pried, fidgeting with my hair.

“Yup.” His expression was so horribly closed.

“You and Alec.”

Silence and then, “Of course.”

I rolled my eyes. “When are you going to trust me?” The car stopped at the stop sign leading out into traffic.

“When I know I can.” This time his eyes never left my face as he looked intently into my eyes. I felt so small, I wanted to crawl underneath the car and let it roll over me. Did he know about me and Alec? Was I that obvious?

Demetri cursed and pulled the car over on the side of the road. “Wanna tell me right here and right now so we can get this over with?”

“What do you mean?”

Demetri laughed and looked out the window. “I think you know exactly what I mean.”

I pretended to be clueless even though my breathing was ragged and I was suddenly hot all over.

Demetri cursed. “My brother is off limits. I don’t share.”

“And I do?” I blurted. “What about the cheerleader you were making out with at the party?”

Demetri hit the steering wheel and cursed. “I thought you were over that! It was a mistake! Alright? Besides this is different.”

“It’s different how? You want me to trust you? Then you have to trust me!” Even as I said it I felt like crap, but I hated that he was making me feel guilty over something he was doing just a few weeks ago.

“He’s my brother, Nat. There are things you don’t know. It wouldn’t be the first time a girl had the hots for both of us and went for it, okay?”

“I’m not that kind of girl.”

“You sure?” he snapped.

“That was uncalled for.” Hands shaking, I opened the door to the car, climbed out, and began walking up the street in the opposite direction.

“Nat, stop!” Demetri ran after me and pulled me into his arms. “I’m sorry, I just get so damned jealous. I see the way he looks at you. The way you look at him.”

“It’s not like that,” I lied. “It won’t ever be like that. Believe me, he’s made it very clear where his loyalty lies.” And it wasn’t with me or with his feelings for me, but for his brother who was doing everything in his power to prove to me that he was worthy, while I went behind his back. I was the worst of the worst, and I knew I had to make a choice. I couldn’t have feelings for Alec and date Demetri. I needed to let one of them go.

“But have you made your intentions known? Have you made your choice, Nat?” Demetri asked his lips a breath away from mine. “Because up until now, I’ve had my doubts.”

My mind replayed the images of Alec’s laughter, of our stolen moments together. The way his kiss felt against my lips. And then the sound of his goodbye. I sighed and licked my lips. Goodbye Alec. “I want you.”