Forever: A Seaside Novella (BOOK 3.5) (3 page)

“That’s a cow.” Jaymeson pointed. “It has spots.”

“Pig,” Demetri said.

“Cow!”

“Pig.”

“Guys!” I released them both from my hold and laughed. “Let’s tweet some pics and get back down the mountain. We have a rehearsal dinner to get ready for.”

“At my place, right?” Jaymeson yawned and then scratched his head and looked down at his feet.

“Right.” My eyes narrowed. “We’ll get ready at your beach rental while the girls do their thing at my house—”

Jaymeson started whistling.

“What’s going on?”

“What?” Jaymeson sputtered. “Nothing, not one bloody, bloody…” He gulped. “Thing.”

“Lies.” Demetri called him out. “Why are you so pale?”

“I’m English, we see the sun like twice a year.”

“Lame.” Demetri’s eyes narrowed. “You’ve lived in LA for the past ten years. You have a beach house in Malibu. Try again.”

“Dehydration.” Jaymeson coughed. “And uh, I think I swallowed a few bugs when I was falling down the cliff.”

The rain started up again. “Fine. Let’s get back — and Jaymeson, walk in the middle so you don’t fall to your death.”

“Oh, so now you’re concerned.”

Demetri ran down the trail in front of us, then stopped and hunched over huffing and puffing. “It looks easier on TV.”

“What does?” I asked.

“Exercise.”

“One of these days you’re going to have to work at your body.” Jaymeson nudged Demetri. “No way is that six-pack going to last with the couch permanently attached to your ass.”

“Hey!” Demetri said in a hoarse voice. “At least I don’t name the objects in my life after women.”

“He has you there.” I chuckled.

“Nothing wrong with a man loving his car.”

“What was the name of the last girl you were with?” Demetri asked.

Jaymeson seemed to think about it, then said, “Sara-bel-la?”

“Are you asking or telling?” Demetri said.

“Telling. It was definitely Sarabella.”

“Cool. Did she live on the prairie and cook you biscuits?” He grinned. “And nice try, but that was the name of your character’s love interest in the last movie you did.”

“Damn,” Jaymeson swore.

The rain pounded harder, making me push the guys toward the covering of the trees. “Come on, we’re going to be late!”

“Believe me,” Demetri called in front of me. “Nat’s not going anywhere.”

Chapter
Four

Nat

“They’re going to either love it or hate it.” I sighed, dipping a chocolate-coated strawberry into the whipped cream.

“Miss?” One of the caterers was carrying a sheet cake. “Where you want the cake?”

“Over there’s fine.” I pointed to an empty space on the counter while Alyssa signed for the food and handed over her credit card.

“Just curious.” I nibbled on the chocolate and grinned while Alyssa took the receipt and looked back at me. “That your credit card or Demetri’s?”

“He won’t even notice.” She shrugged innocently. “Besides, he told me to use it at my leisure.”

“Pretty sure he didn’t mean this.” I waved around the room and giggled. “Ooh, let’s see the cake!”

I jumped off the chair and tore into the box.

“Holy shit.” Alyssa clasped her hand over her mouth then grabbed the receipt to look at the description. “Shit!”

“What? What?” I tore the receipt from her hands and burst out laughing. “Sex cake? Really? That’s what they call these?”

“I asked for a sexy cake,” Alyssa said helplessly. “Not uh…”

“Boy and girl parts cake?” I answered.

Alyssa groaned into her hands. “What do we do?”

“Eat it.” I laughed. “Show it to the boys, and if all else fails, maybe Jaymeson can give everyone a human anatomy lesson. Couldn’t hurt.”

Alyssa shrugged. “My money’s on them loving it. Then again, they’ve been hiking most the day. So if they hate it, they’ll lack the energy to say anything, especially Demetri.”

“Right.” I nodded. “Alright, well, let’s go get ready… it’s going to be a long night.”

“Cheers.” Alyssa clinked her water bottle against mine as we made our way up the stairs.

We’d both decided to wear tight, white, slinky dresses. Mine plunged in the back and hers plunged in the front. I honestly couldn’t wait to have her as a sister. She and Demetri would be tying the knot soon after us. He just seemed to be dragging his feet, but I wasn’t sure why. I mean, they were inseparable and it wasn’t like he had to wait until he had enough money or was stable in his career. The man was a multi-millionaire at nineteen. He could do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted.

I knew it bothered her a bit to see Alec and me get married — only because she was ready for it. She’d suffered a lot these past few years. That being said, I knew Demetri was waiting for the right time.

He’d said as much this morning.

I just wish he would do it soon so Alyssa would stop moping around, and so her parents would let her tour with us. At this point they were pulling the whole old-fashioned,
she needs a ring on her finger before she can travel with the band
routine.

To be honest, my parents probably would have called for the same thing.

“How do I look?” Alyssa stepped out of the bathroom; her hair was in loose ringlets around her shoulders. Her tan set off the white dress, making her look amazing.

“Awesome. Demetri’s going to swallow his tongue.”

“Ooh.” Alyssa twirled in place and jutted out her hip. “Even better. Now strip. We gotta get your dress on you.”

I saluted her and ran into the bathroom. My dress was hanging on the door. I pulled it on and zipped up the side. The back really did dip low. Hopefully Alec wouldn’t freak. The dress appeared tight but it really wasn’t too bad. The poor guy had been so paranoid about my pregnancy that I actually asked my doctor to drug him. He said no.

“Nice!” Alyssa howled and cat-called when I walked out of the bathroom. “Alec’s going to devour you in that thing.”

“That’s the general idea.” I winked. “Now help me with my shoes, somehow my feet are already starting to swell.”

Once I had my shoes on, I looked at my watch. “Alright, we have about five minutes to get to the restaurant. You drive and I’ll text the guys so they can let security know.”

“Roger.” Alyssa grabbed our purses and helped me down the stairs as per Alec’s orders. Seriously, you’d think I was a two-year-old.

The house phone rang and Alyssa dashed over to the table to grab the cordless and answered.

“Yo,” Alyssa said out of breath. “Uh-huh, yup, alright, love you too, bye.”

“Demetri?” I asked.

“They’re running late, but they said security is expecting us, paparazzi are already lined up in front of the place.”

“Of course,” I grumbled.

“Hey.” Alyssa nudged me. “The life of a rock star is rough. Just remember at the end of the day, it’s you he’s coming home with, it’s you he’s marrying, you he’s choosing.”

“Thanks.” I felt tears well in my eyes. “I think I needed to hear that.”

“I’ll always try to be the voice of reason.” She gripped my hand in hers. “Now let’s go knock our men on their asses.”

Chapter
Five

Alec

“How do you know when you’re ready?” Demetri asked as we drove to the restaurant for the rehearsal dinner.

“It’s like this,” Jaymeson interjected. “When she goes, ’baby I love you, I want you so much, I need you’ — that’s when you seal the deal.” He gave a smug grin and nodded.

“Yeah.” I licked my lips. “Pretty sure what Demetri was asking had nothing to do with one of your one-night stands.”

Demetri was staring at Jaymeson like he was some sort of alien from Star Trek. “Seriously, how are we related?”

Jaymeson shrugged. “Hey, I was only trying to help.”

“You talking about marriage?” I asked as I took a side street to downtown Seaside.

“No, I’m talking about puberty.” Demetri rolled his eyes as Jaymeson cackled behind us. “Yes, I’m talking about marriage.” He shifted in his seat and started fiddling with his hands.

“What did you do?” I asked. “You’re fidgety.”

“He’s high.”

“I’m not high!” Demetri yelled. “But I did do something on impulse—”

Jaymeson waved him off. “Happens to everyone. No worries. One time I—”

“—I bought a ring!” Demetri blurted.

I slammed on the brakes, causing the front of Jaymeson’s head to smash into the back of Demetri. Both of them cursed blue streaks for a good ten seconds.

“Sorry,” I mumbled. “You did what?”

“Ring.” Demetri rubbed the back of his head. “Great, now I’m going to look like I have a giant cyst on the back of my head.” He pulled down the mirror and tried to look at the spot but kept flipping off the mirror because Jaymeson’s face was getting in the way.

“Ring,” Jaymeson said slowly. “You mean like a wrestling ring? Or something you do when you’re phoning someone?”

“Ring.” Demetri scowled. “As in, I went and dropped six figures on a five-carat piece of work from Tiffany’s.”

I slammed on the brakes again. “Are you trying to outdo me? Tiffany’s? SIX figures?”

“Tiffany’s has badass rings.” This from Jaymeson.

The car fell silent. I finally spoke up. “And the slut in the backseat knows this how?”

Jaymeson looked away and whistled.

“Jaymeson?” Demetri urged.

“Oh look! The restaurant!” Jaymeson pointed. “Pull over! I gotta piss.”

“He knows things,” Demetri mumbled. “He only acts weird when he knows things…”

“The girls?” I guessed.

“They’ve been talking.” Demetri’s eyes narrowed as Jaymeson disappeared into the restaurant.

“And he’s been listening.”

“Loyalty.” Demetri nodded. “They have his loyalty.”

“Damn.”

Chapter
Six

Nat

I felt him before I actually saw him. It had always been like that with Alec; like his presence was something my body was constantly searching for. Within seconds I felt warm hands on my shoulders. Slowly, I turned and bit down on my lip, taking a step back so he could examine my dress.

His eyes darkened as he exhaled. “Damn, baby, you look…” He shook his head. “How long do we have to stay?”

“Dinner and then after party, remember?” I arched my eyebrows. “Besides, I’m only doing this once. So I want it to be perfect.”

“Your wish is my command.” His blue eyes were hooded as he looked at my shoes and slowly raised his head to meet my gaze. “I can’t stop looking at you.” He twirled me around slowly, stopping as his hands ran down my back. Warm lips touched the base of the back of my neck before he turned me to face him again.

“Then close your eyes,” I teased.

“What I want…” He grasped my wrist and tugged me against his body. “…Is you. Right now.”

“You have me,” I whispered. “Tomorrow.”

“I may die tonight.” He smirked then kissed my lips softly. “I’ll never get enough, Nat, just know that. You’re my addiction — my craving, my everything — and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you. With our baby.”

Tears welled in my eyes as I kissed him back and just held him.

“Not married yet,” came Demetri’s smooth voice.

“She’s pregnant, you ass,” Jaymeson chimed in from behind Alec. “What worse things could he do?”

“The man has a point.” Demetri nodded. “Still, back off. If I’m not getting any, you’re not getting any.”

“One more day.” Alec grinned. “Then I get all I want, and where does that leave you?”

Jaymeson cackled and elbowed Demetri. “Aw, she still holding out until you give her a ring? Wait a second—” His eyes widened. “Did you just—”

“Justin Timerblake, as I live and breathe!” Demetri yelled loud enough for the paparazzi to hear. Cameras flashed in the direction he pointed, going crazy over the fact that JT would be at the rehearsal dinner.

“Good one.” Alec laughed.

“Yeah, well.” Demetri shrugged. “What can I say? I’m awesome.”

“Yes. Mr. Awesome. Way ta keep the tag on your shirt.” Alyssa came up behind him and tugged it off. “Armani? Nice.”

Alec’s hand came around my waist, resting right on the bare skin of my lower back. “How are you feeling?” His lips brushed my ear. My body shivered. Would his touch always do that to me? Make me want to throw myself at him and wrap my legs around his waist?

“I’m good.” I smiled. “Promise. I don’t feel sick at all, though I am a bit anxious.”

“Did you girls have fun at the spa?”

I bit back a smile and gave him a firm nod. “This afternoon was just what I needed.” There. At least I wasn’t lying.

Seeming satisfied, his grip tightened on my waist as he led me to the large table reserved for close friends and family. The wedding party consisted of Demetri, Jaymeson, Alyssa, and one of Alyssa’s cousins, Priscilla. She was a little bit younger than all of us, just turned eighteen, but drop dead gorgeous. Of course, she’d have to be if she was related to Alyssa.

My friend Alesha was supposed to be the other bridesmaid, but her
fiancé
, Evan, had been planning a destination wedding literally the same weekend. I couldn’t change my date because the tours wouldn’t allow, and they couldn’t get their deposit back on the destination wedding, which sucked. I would have loved to be there for them and vice versa. I was thankful that Alyssa thought of Priscilla. She’d hung out with me and the guys a few times, but I wasn’t entirely sure how well things would go over with Jaymeson — we’d warned him not to flirt with her. Though his only question had been if she was legal.

“Hey.” Priscilla gave me a quick hug and kissed Alyssa on the cheek. “You gals excited for tomorrow?”

Actually I was excited for tonight. Hopefully Priscilla wouldn’t freak out. I’d invited her because she was part of the wedding party, but part of me felt like I was going to shock the crap out of her.

“Sure thing!” Alyssa gave me knowing look and mouthed,
Stop worrying!

“If everyone could take their seats.” My mom stood and clanked on her wine glass. “I’d like to thank everyone for being here. We’re kind of informal, so eat, drink, be merry, and enjoy yourselves! Oh, and wedding party…” She pointed to Jaymeson mainly because he was the only one known to be late all the freaking time. “Pictures are at noon.”