Page 51 of Not Your Little Girl Anymore

There is that jealousy creeping on me again. I mentally shove it away like I’m swatting a fly.

“And the other two?”

“James and Tyler. I met Tyler at the bowling alley downtown, and he introduced us to James. We all had the same passion.” He shrugs like it’s no big deal, even though it is.

I finish my pizza and brush my hands together to remove the crumbs. “When did you meet Samantha?” I know this isn’t my business, and it shouldn’t be something to be concerned about, but I can’t help but feel like they used to be something. The way she looked at me earlier confirms my theory mentally but in reality… I want to know.

I know I’m being silly. Even if there was something in the past, I doubt he would be here with me right now, alone in his apartment, if there was something going on between them now. Then I noticed Alec’s expression drift, leaving him hesitating to answer my question. That doesn’t settle with me.

“I met her when I was eighteen,” he states, his eyes move to his pizza. “She was with me the first time I was arrested. But I can assure you, we’ve never slept together. We never dated. She’s my best friend. That’s it.”

My eyes widen, and fear claws my insides. “I… wasn’t going to ask you that.”

He grins, showing most of his teeth like he doesn’t believe me. “You didn’t have to.”

That confirms my theory. It’s like he can see right through me.

I wiggle on the couch, crossing my arms. “You think you’re some big hot shot, don’t you?”

He chuckles, running his tongue along his bottom lip and leaning closer to me. “It’s written all over your face, Sunshine.” His warm breath tickles my ear, sending a shiver to skate down my spine.

Not again, Summer.

I push the feeling aside. “There is nothing written on my face, band geek.” I stick my tongue out at him.

He shrugs. “If you say so.”

Our eyes stay connected for a long time. I almost forgot that we are in his apartment, on his couch, eating pizza that he bought.

His hand slowly extends toward me. He interlocks his fingers with mine, and I savor the feeling of his touch. My heart beats faster with each breath I take. His thumb makes gentle circular motions on the back of my hand. I am lost in the moment, and I know I should pull away and stop before anything happens.

Though, lately, I have done things I should have done. I have been doing things I want to do.

And I want this.

I want his touch. I want to feel his hands on my face. My stomach. Touching and feeling every bit of my flesh. I want all of it, all of him. And I want him to grab my face and kiss me like he’s never kissed anyone else before.

Fuck, I need to stop.

There is no way we can be together, right?

Not to mention that with his good looks, beautiful voice, and very sexy body… he has the power to have and take anyone he pleases.

Frankly, I don’t think I can handle that.

Chapter Nineteen

Summer

I rub my sleepy eyes and let out a big yawn.

It’s been three days since Mom’s funeral. And three days since Alec tried to teach me how to play the guitar.

Dad has grown distant. He’s barely spoken to me. He’s hardly home. The pain in my chest increases, but I tell myself Dad is grieving. Things will go back to normal in no time.

But telling myself that is also setting myself up for disappointment. No matter how much I want things to go back to normal, without Mom, they never will be.

In instinct, I pick up my phone to see a good morning text from Alec and smile. There are swirls in my belly as I send a quick response back to him asking how he slept.

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