Strung Read online

  She called to me like drugs.

  And for the first time in a week I wasn’t focused on the high — I was focused on her.

  Huh, replaced one addiction with another. I wonder if that was frowned upon in rehab?

  “What are you doing here?” she shrieked.

  Alec and Mrs. Murray walked out of the office behind me.

  “Oh, hi honey!” Mrs. Murray’s voice trailed off as she started jabbering about another client and then went back into her office, closing the door behind her.

  “Explain. Now.” Nat got up from her chair and crossed her arms as she approached us. Damn, she looked pissed. I took a step back and refused to make eye contact.

  Alec cleared his throat, “I have uh…”

  Wow. Maybe being off drugs would help considering his brain cells had clearly taken a hit. “He has a little problem.” I smirked. “It’s why were here.”

  Alec tensed next to me because well, we both knew the problem started with a D not an A but said problem wouldn’t have been a problem if A had kept P in his pants and H out of his veins!

  “Aren’t there psychiatrists in LA? Canada?” Nat’s voice pleaded.

  Alec mumbled ‘asshole’ under his breath and walked out of the house slamming the screen door behind him.

  I almost did a fist pump. Finally, alone with her!

  “Sorry” — I wrapped my arm around her shoulders — “it’s kind of a secret, though I don’t think it’s going to stay that way for long.”

  Her cute little jaw clenched like she was grinding her teeth. “Mind filling me in?”

  And send her screaming through the house? Hell. No. “If’ you’re the math genius you claim you are, then yes, but only after homework.”

  Her glare was so damn cute I almost lost it right there. “That sounds an awful lot like bribery.”

  “It is.” I shrugged. “Hey you got any food, I’m starving?” Actually, I was craving my body weight in pot and a bathtub full of little white pills, possibly some blue ones, and definitely some white powder. But who was I kidding? I had to pass that drug test if I had any chance of getting out of this place.

  With a sigh, she walked to the fridge. “This is pot roast. These” — she made a grand gesture at pointing at the potatoes — “are potatoes, and carrots.” She pulled out a plate. “And this is a plate.”

  Whoa! Who spit in her happy juice?

  “You put the food on the plate.” She said slowly walking over to the microwave and opening it up. “Think you can handle it from here on out, Rockstar?”

  Aw, how cute — we had nicknames. At least mine was baller.

  Her anger made me horny as hell. It was… refreshing. Most women just stripped. Not Nat, no she was too busy teaching me how to say big words like ‘plate’ and ‘potato.’

  I glared, playing along, then hit the minute mark on the microwave. “I’m still trying to decide if I like you or your irritate me.”

  Her sharp intake of breath told me that the last thing she wanted was for me to leave — even though her body language said that if I got too close to the fork I was losing a ball.

  The microwave dinged. I went to the table, ate my food in silence, then when I was finished went to the sink, washed the remains off the plate then placed it carefully in the dishwasher. I wasn’t an invalid. I knew how to do my own dishes. Besides, Alec kicked my ass if I didn’t pick up after myself. Swear, when the dude was stressed he was organizing silverware.

  A few drops of water sprayed on the counter tops so I cleaned those off too and went and sat down.

  Nat’s lower lip trembled a bit. Uh oh. What did I do? I immediately cringed, was she the type of girl who just spontaneously burst into tears when people actually did what was expected? Like dishes? Shit. I could not handle tears.

  “Sorry.”

  Time to make her laugh. “I swear!” I pounded the tabletop and threw the dishrag against the sink. “It’s always the same.” I almost knocked the chair over when I tugged it out and sat on it. “Either girls want to screw my brains out or they think I’m a freaking idiot.” Only partially true. Okay so I played the idiot. Whatever. “Like I don’t know how to get my own food or iron my own clothes?” Fine, so Alec ironed some of my shit, but who cares? “As if everythings been easy on me, no struggles, nothing. Just a damn golden boy with a damn golden guitar.”

  “I-I’m so sorry!” Nat put her small hand on mine. It was warm. I liked it. I immediately cataloged that moment as one of my favorites ever. Girls rarely held my hand. Hell, the last time I’d been hugged… well it had been a while. Odd, how much I’d missed such a simple touch. “I didn’t mean to assume anything.”

  “Are you actually apologizing miss high and mighty?”

  “Yes?” Her brown eyes were hopeful.

  “Good. Because I was totally kidding. I love my life and probably deserve to be kicked in the balls for almost making you cry.”

  Her eyes narrowed and then she just freaking lunged at me like a damn shark! Holy shit. I was a seal. A fluffy seal. And I was about to get eaten.

  We tumbled to the floor.

  I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love it.

  God, her hips perfectly against me.

  “So, that’s how it’s gonna be huh?” I asked, muscles flexing as the shark held me down. Devour me. Please, please, please.

  She nodded.

  “Fine.”

  “Fine!”

  The poor thing didn’t weigh enough to stand a chance. In a flash I flipped her onto her back and straddled her. Yeah. This was what I wanted. What I needed.

  “Not that I didn’t deserve to get my ass kicked.” I smirked then leaned down so my lips grazed her ear. “But I kind of like this position better.” I rocked against her — only teasing, swear.

  And then she tried to wiggle out from underneath me.

  Oh. My. Hell.

  Had her mom not been in her office I would have screwed her right there. She had no idea either — that’s how innocent the girl was. Nope, she just kept moving against me like the friction wasn’t making me want to go all caveman on her and rip her clothes apart with my teeth.

  “And better, and better.” I chuckled as she kept moving.

  Her face flamed red.

  Beautiful.

  She yelled for me to get off. Making me laugh harder.

  Unable to help myself, I leaned down and kissed her forehead. “Math?”

  Her eyes locked with mine. And caught. I knew that expression; half the battle was already won. And later on tonight? When I kissed her? Yeah. It would be all over with. Alec? Alec who?

  I helped her to her feet and couldn’t help but finally feel a bit of relief. Finally, things were going my way. Finally, it wasn’t about him. The forgiveness I’d been withholding started to slink away. I made a mental note to thank him — for finally allowing me to have one thing that wasn’t his.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Alec

  GREAT. SO NOW Nat thought I was some drug addicted reject — or sex addict. Take your pick.

  I kicked some of the sand in front of me and cursed loud enough to wake up some of the neighbors.

  Why did he have to be attracted to the exact same girl that stole my breath away? And I wasn’t kidding — she literally made my breath catch to the point where I almost started choking when I was in that kitchen. And then Demetri had gone and embarrassed the hell out of me.

  I checked my watch. It was nearing ten and Demetri still hadn’t come home. I went back into the house and up to my room. I’d gotten used to watching the waves while I wrote music. It helped calm me down.

  I should have known the calm wouldn’t last.

  Because the minute I opened the upstairs window, I saw two figures running out of the house next door holding hands.

  Demetri dragged Nat across the beach and started stripping once he reached the water. Her laughter danced from the shore up to my window like a siren’s call.

  Unable to look away, I t
ortured myself and watched as Demetri went knee deep in the water then, cursing, came running back to Nat, tackling her to the ground.

  I wanted to close my eyes. But apparently I was into inflicting pain on myself, so I kept my gaze steady as Demetri’s head lowered.

  “Shit.” I braced my hands on either side of the window frame. What the hell did I expect to happen? She’d reject him? The famous Demetri Daniels? Right. The last time he got rejected by a girl was when he was three and it was our cranky babysitter who was partially blind in one eye and had a snaggle tooth.

  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?”

  I put in my headphones and fell into a solid cadence next to her. We ran a mile in complete silence. It took most of my energy to keep my eyes on the road ahead so I didn’t stare at her legs. Each time her foot came into contact with the pavement, I was distracted.

  It was going to be a problem.

  Suddenly, she stopped and pulled out her earphones. “What?”

  “Uh…” Shit, she knew I’d been staring at her. “I’m just surprised that’s all.” Wow, Alec way ta pull that out of your ass.

  “Do I even want to know?” She sighed and held her hands behind her back stretching.

  I moved behind her and tugged them down a bit to give her shoulders a better stretch. My eyes fell to her neck, her pulse was racing, I leaned forward and whispered in her ear, “You tripped over your own two feet, twice yesterday, until now I wasn’t even sure you knew how to walk in a straight line.”

  Her arms tensed beneath my hands. “I’m in track.”

  I chuckled at her bristled state, she was so damn cute and had no idea, “That explains the body.”

  “What?” She jerked away from me.

  Yeah, I hadn’t meant to actually say that out loud.

  “Your body.” I took in her long legs. “You have really long legs.” Wow, good job Alec almost choked on that compliment. You have long legs? That’s like telling a girl she has a wide smile! They don’t know how to take it! I may as well let her slap me.

  Nat’s eyes glazed over a bit.

  “What?” I smiled, trying hard to look friendly instead of predatory.

  “You can’t just walk around saying things like that to girls.”

  “Just did, but I guess your right, I shouldn’t say things like that, especially to my brother’s girl.”

  “I’m not his girl,” she snapped.

  I had a hard time hiding my surprise so I looked away and whistled. “Don’t’ tell him that, plus I saw you two last night.”

  “Studying?” she asked in a hopefu
l voice.

  I wish. “At the beach.”

  Nat swallowed and put her hands on her hips as an uncomfortable silence fell over the conversation.

  “But it’s cool.” I fought to keep my voice light when all I wanted to do was yell a bit. “Demetri likes you.” I went and sat on the concrete fence lining the prom. “Look, I want to be your friend. I’m not going to lie and say I’m not angry that my brother got to you first. But I’ll overlook your obvious lack of good judgment if you promise you’ll come to me if you need anything, okay?”

  Yeah. I’d said too much. It wasn’t fair to ask her to babysit my brother. Hell, that was my job. I was more parent then brother. I just, I didn’t want to freak her out and say ‘by the way if he does lines of coke in the bathroom don’t call the media just send me a text. Or if he gets too happy with his hands, I’ll deal with it.’ Shit. I hated feeling out of control.

  Nat nodded.

  Needing to change the subject I swiped her phone and looked at the first song on her run mix. “Justin Bieber, Nat? Really?”

  She turned bright red. “It’s good running music!”

  “I’m a little hurt!” I said mockingly, “Are we even on here?”

  Nat’s flush went deeper as I stopped on a playlist that screamed AD2. Aw, how cute she likes us.

  “Give me that!” She lunged for the phone.

  “No way! You love me!” I jumped up and down and waved my hands into the air in triumph.

  “Give that back!”

  “Are you blushing?” Agh, I loved that girl’s blush, it was so pure, so innocent.

  “No” — she waved me off — “I’m just… winded.”

  I winked. “I like this playlist better too.”

  Nat looked like she wanted to disappear on the spot. It probably had more to do with the title of the playlist then the actual songs. It was marked ‘Crush.’ If only.

  Funny, had it been any other girl’s phone, I would have expected it and felt nothing.

  With Nat? My heart did a little flop.

  Damn it.

  To make her more comfortable, I steered the conversation back to my playlist. She didn’t believe that I actually listened to myself singing — I did it to practice not because I was vain.