Page 5 of Courageous Demands

“Alec, that’s not fair. I was too young to…”

“Oh, Alec? Mama Ruthie has some goodies she really wants to see you holding, sweetie pie!”

To his utter shock, Willow grabbed his upper arm and tried to pull him forward for their photo. Alec yanked his arm away from her, glaring, and then sprang forward several steps into position. If he was going to have to do this stupid photo shoot, then it was going to be like a Band-Aid. Get it done quick, rip it off, deal with the sting, and move on with life.

See ya.

Buh, bye…

“Alec…”

“No, Willow. You win this time. I’m cornered and stuck doing this photo – but that’s it. We’re not friends. We’re not reunited besties. You dumped me when I was about to propose, and I’m over you, okay?” he hissed under his breath, getting mere inches from her stunned face as her beautiful eyes widened in comprehension. “We’re over – got it? Go away. Vamoooooose? Leave. Skedaddle.”

“Oh, Alec… here you go, sweetie,” Mrs. Kendall was tugging on his arm and pressing something in his hand that was cold. Willow’s eyes dropped down as her mouth fell open in disbelief.

“Heaven help me…”

That was not something he ever heard her utter in the two years they’d dated and after years of being gone, he couldn’t imagine her being shocked by much in this world. No, frat parties, college life, and well… life in general, taught a person quite a bit about the world.

He’d seen things that could not be unseen, fighting fires and pulling people out of burning buildings. He’d seen people soil themselves, witnessed more selfishness as people stepped over others to escape, and seen the worst of humanity during its most elemental moments but something about her face struck him as odd.

Maybe it was that horrified smirk?

Alec looked down, and his brain stopped controlling his mouth.

“Whoaaa… HOLD THE PHONE?!” he uttered, right before he screamed like a girl. His mother’s best friend had put a sex toy in his hand that resembled a baseball bat.

A neon baseball bat.

“GOOD GRAVY, YOU FREAKIN’ FREAK-ADY-FREAK OF ALL THE OLD FREAKS IN HEAVEN AND HELL… WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU, RUTHIE?!”

“Alec!” Willow hissed.

“Noooo!” he drawled and threw down the ‘item,’ looking at her, backing away like it was a snake. Boa constrictor, maybe, he thought horrified. “I’m not getting my photo taken with that – ain’t no way! Ain’t no how!”

“Threatened much?” Mrs. Kendall asked, arching an eyebrow.

“That’s disgusting…” Willow said flatly, causing Alec to look at her in shock. He certainly didn’t need her coming to his defense. “I never took you for a prude.”

“I’m not a prude, but I’m also not willing to ‘tramp it up’ all over town either. These stupid charity calendars will be everywhere and I’m not doing that to the Beckett name. You might be okay sleeping with half of campus to ‘live life,’ but I’m certainly not.”

“You’re not a virgin, boy,” Mrs. Kendall added from nearby, causing him to look over at the old woman who was pursing her lips, smirking. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Willow’s mouth drop open as she turned to look at him.

“Why Alec Beckett,” Willow snarled. “You hypocritical… dumpster fire!” she finished, her voice raising in intensity. “You accused me of sleeping around, and you slept with Ruth Kendall?”

“WHAT?!” the chief roared as several gasps of horror cried out in unison, echoing in the following silence as the birds suddenly flew from the surrounding trees.

“NOOOO,” Alec yelped, backing away from all of them and crossing himself. “I’m not touching her. She’s older than my mama and…”

“Hey, now. Let’s not discuss my age – it’s just a number, and I could show you some real treats, young man.”

Alec gagged – along with Lance, Colton, and half the other team that was showing up for the photo shoot.

“Duuuude, really?”

“He slept with Ruth Kendall?”

“Oh man, what if that grabby grandma started it – and she’s finally figured out a move that works? Heaven help us all.”

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