Last Heartbeat (7 page)

I turn to Alexia and we head over to the elevator. The ride up seems it takes like forever. Being this close to her sets my skin on fire. I don’t know what this is, but I think I like this feeling I am having around her.
Let nature take its course
, I think to myself. Maybe it will be something more, or maybe not.

We get to the condo and I open it up. Then I see her face light up like a Christmas tree, because the view is amazing. She is looking at the view of the ocean, but my view of her is even better. Her eyes just glow, or maybe it’s the reflection of the light. No, I believe they are glowing, and it’s the best view I have ever seen. She heads straight for the balcony and steps out. I put the pizza down on the table so I can follow her. The wind blowing her hair is so breathtaking that I almost trip on my way out. She looks like she loves it here and says so. I would love to keep her here that is for sure.

She turns and smiles up at me. She says that she would sleep on this balcony. I let her know that I do, but now all I really can think about is her sleeping with me on this balcony would even be better. She is really getting to me. I suggest we eat out here, being that this is where I eat most of the time.

I ask her what she wants to drink. So she doesn’t like beer… That’s good to know. I let her know that I don’t either. She seems surprised by it. Maybe she forgot that I can’t have it with the medicine I am on. Even if I weren’t on it, I wouldn’t drink. That is how I lost my brother. Since that day I vow never to drink and I plan on keeping my vow. I keep this myself because everyone would think I am crazy but I know how bad drinking effects people. They do crazy things when they drink just look at my friends.

I go get plates and drinks. I hurry so I don’t miss seeing her. I put everything down on the table outside and ask her if is she ready for her surprise pizza. I see her eyes light up just at seeing the box, and I find out that this is her favorite pizza place. I open the box and learn that this is Alexia’s favorite pizza too.

Now I know that I have to get to know her more. She is full of surprises. Anyone who likes my favorite pizza is the greatest in my book. I hand her some pizza and her drink. We talk about how wonderful this pizza is and that it was my brother’s favorite too. Alexia is easy to talk to and she makes this place feel more relaxing for me, like she should always be here with me. Having her here with me makes the pain of losing my brother easer. She has this calming effect on me

We discuss the project and how we both don’t like biology. I ask her to come over every evening, so we can get the work done fast. Looks like it may take longer because we both aren’t as good at biology as I hoped. As we talk, it just seems so natural. I have decided for sure to let things happen. I really don’t know if I can stop it at this point anyway. I really like being with Alexia, and maybe she will feel the same way, if we see more of each other.

Alexia gets up and takes the dishes to the dishwasher. She looks like she belongs in that kitchen. She goes down the hall, and all I can think about is how much trouble I am in. I get up and lean against the balcony rail to see what is going on at the beach. I can see a bunch of people over at Megan’s party. I should feel like I am missing out on the party, but really I don’t because this feels right here with Alexia.

I hope Jacob and Tyler don’t get in to much trouble. I told them to call me for a ride if they get too drunk. I believe they will, because they are responsible sometimes. I hate that people don’t heed the warnings about drinking and driving. People only think about themselves too much and not the cost of someone’s stupidity. How, in just a fraction of time, a life can be lost or so many lives can be changed.

I hear Alexia coming. Now it’s time to get studying. She waits for a moment before she comes out. I wonder why. I turn around and see her. I smile at her and grab my books. I love the way she just looked at me.

Chapter Eleven

Alexia

He smiles at me when he sees me coming out the door, and my heart starts beating faster. Yeah, he has that effect on me already. I think I like how he makes me feel alive. I am going to just go with it because he probably doesn’t feel anything for me though. Since he is a player, he has probably many beautiful girls. He won’t even look that way at me. I better get my books and get this work done. I don’t want to burden him. He probably had other things to do tonight.

I walk over to the rail to look at what he may have been looking at and see what looks like a party a little ways over at a beach house. He probably was wishing that I would hurry back so we can finish studying and he can go to the party. Looks like a lot of people are there.

I turn to him and say, “If you had plans this evening, we could do this another night. I see that party over there and I bet you were supposed to go to it. Looks like a lot of things are going on.”

He walks over to me. “No, I didn’t want to go. Megan asked me to, but I told her no. Jacob and Tyler are over there. I hope they call if they get to drunk to drive. I’d rather stay here and do biology homework than go to another party at Megan’s. Let’s get this work started so I don’t keep you out too late.”

We get our books and computers out of our backpacks, to start our first night of studying. It goes by so quickly that I hardly notice that two hours have gone by. We got a lot done. We definitely need several more weeks to get everything that is on the list done. I hope he doesn’t stop our study session for a little while longer because I like being here. Every now and then, we can hear the party still going strong, but Phillip doesn’t look sad about missing out.

He asks me if I want something to drink and then goes to get it. I get up to stretch and lean against the rail to see the water. The breeze still feels so good. I hear Phillip answer his phone and say, “I will be right over.” Then brings me out my water.

He looks at me a little bit sad and says, “That was Tyler. I am sorry. We have to cut the studying short for tonight. Jacob has gotten too drunk. Tyler can’t get him to leave the party. I have to help get him out of the party before he gets into trouble. He tends to cause trouble when he is heavily intoxicated.”

“Is there anything I can do to help? Maybe I can help you convince him to leave.”

“I don’t know how you can unless you bat those pretty eyes at him. He may follow you anywhere.” He laughs.

“Sure he would. My eyes work that way on every guy.” I laugh at my joke.

He stares seriously at me. “I know if you batted your eyes at me, I would follow you anywhere. Just try and see.” He winks.

I believe he is flirting and I do as he asked. “Well, let’s go save Jacob, sweetie,” I bat my eyes at him. I even throw in my biggest smile. Two can play this flirting game.

He reaches over and grabs my hand. “Let’s go. See? It worked just like I knew it would. You keep that up and you won’t get rid of me.” Still holding my hand, he grabs his keys and we head out the door. We make it outside with him still holding my hand. His hand is larger than mine, but it feels so right in my hand. I hope he doesn’t stop holding it anytime soon. When we get outside the door, I think we are going to his car, but instead we head to the beach. He sees my confused look.

“It is quicker this way to get to Megan’s. I really don’t want him to get sick in my car either. I will bring him back to the condo and let him rest it off before taking him back to the dorm.”

“I can take him to the dorm so you don’t have to. I have to go that way,” I offer.

“No. You will not be taking Jacob back, especially when he is drunk. He gets flirty with the girls and fights with the guys. Our mission is to get him to leave and get him back to the condo.”

“Okay. I will do my best eye batting to get him to leave. Maybe if I ask him to leave he’ll think, I am flirting and I won’t even have to bat these eyes.” I laugh.

“You think I am joking about your beautiful eyes making me want to do anything? I am serious girl. I don’t want Jacob to fall for your cuteness and try to run off with you. He is the real player between us.”

“Sure he is. You’re just saying that to make me think you’re not, but you seem really flirty with the girls. I have seen you around. You even flirt with me and I know that doesn’t mean you like me. You just do it out of habit,” I say, but I feel a little jealous thinking about him and other girls.

We still are walking to the beach house when I notice that he still has my hand. He pulls me to a stop and turns me to him.

“What makes you think I don’t like you? I flirt with you because I do like you and I like being with you. I know this is soon, but I like you more than I have liked anyone. I can’t explain it, but you do something to me.”

I am stunned.

Before I can say anything back to him, we hear a loud noise. He starts pulling me toward it. It sounds louder the closer we get to it, and I might be a little scared, but I keep going.

“Jacob must have already started something so we have to hurry,” he says.

He’s still holding my hand when we get to the party. We see everyone around two guys who seem to be getting ready to fight. I think,
Oh no
. I have walked in on something I shouldn’t have. Phillip pulls me closer, and most of the people glance at us, but he pays them no attention. He has one thing on his mind and that is to get to Jacob.

We get to the guys and he says, “Jacob, buddy, what are you doing? You need to stop whatever it is and come with us to leave.” As soon as he says this the other guy laughs at Phillip. Phillip tenses up like he’s getting ready to step in front of Jacob. He then lets my hand go.

The guy says to him, “What, you have to fight Jacob’s fights now? I knew he was a wimp.” The guy laughs.

Phillip does something that surprises me. I thought he might go grab Jacob and make him leave, but he walks over to the guy instead. He gets up into his face, and the guy doesn’t seem to be backing down either. I feel like I need to do something, but I don’t know what I should do. I’m scared that the guy wants to fight.

Phillip continues his stare down, and the tension that flows off his body makes everyone back up. Even Jacob is now quiet and maybe a little more sober. Tyler comes up beside Phillip and also gets up into the guy face.

Phillip says, “James, whatever Jacob did, you know he has had to much to drink. Back off or you will have to go through me to get to him.”

Tyler says the same thing too. By the look on James’s face, he doesn’t seem to want to back down. Jacob decides to join them and James holds his hands up. “Okay. I will stop if he stops hitting on my girl.”

Jacob slurs, “Which girl are you talking about?” He smiles at James to further his provoking.

“Misty the redhead, who you decided to put your hands all over a few minutes ago.”

“Oh. Misty. She is hot, but I just tripped and she was there when I needed help standing. I just grabbed her so I wouldn’t fall,” Jacob grins. I wonder if that is true and by the look on James’s face he is thinking the same thing.

I decided, to do what Phillip said, I could do. I walked over and batted my eyes to Jacob before turning to James and smiling. “Oh here you are Jacob. I have been looking for you. I am glad I found you. What are you and these guys doing outside? I am sorry if he is causing trouble, James, but I really can’t take him anywhere without him drinking and tripping over his feet. Now come on, Jacob. It is time to leave.” I grab him by the arm and pull him away from everyone down at the beach. I hear James say that it is okay but to put a leash on him as we leave.

Jacob slurs, “Thanks baby, but who are you? I think we have met, but I don’t remember where. Did we hook up sometime ago?”

I get ready to tell him off, but Phillip comes up behind me and pulls me away from Jacob. Phillip gets up into his face saying, “You met Alexia yesterday at Megan’s party where you were also drunk. You have to stop all this drinking or I will not come to your rescue again. You need to get serious with school and stop the drinking. Every now and then is fine, but not every night. School has just started and you are already getting into trouble.
No
, you haven’t hooked up with Alexia, and you never will hook up with her. Straighten up now! Tyler bring him back to the condo. I have to go ahead so I can cool off or he will not be staying tonight.”

Before we get moving, I hear someone calling Phillip’s name. Phillip tenses up. He seems to know who is coming our way.

I turn around and see Megan running over to us. “Oh Phillip, don’t leave the party! You just got here. Come back and hang out with me. We can go find a place that is quiet in the house if you want too,” she says suggestively.

I look at her and think that she’s really full of herself and totally a slut. I hope he doesn’t take her up on it. I sounded jealous with that thought. Before I can think about how this makes me feel, Phillip shakes his head.

“Megan I told you I didn’t want to come to your party, and as good as your offer sounds, I have to pass. Please just go back to your party. We have to get Jacob home before something else happens with him.” He walked over to me.

Megan adds, “When you get done with him, you can come back over if you want too.” She smiles, looking hopeful. I think,
Really
!

“I am sorry, Megan, but that won’t happen tonight or any other night. Goodnight Megan.” He takes my hand and she looks over at me like she would stab me, if she had a knife. I smile and squeeze his hand.
Yeah look, Megan. Phillip has my hand
.

Megan says one last thing before we get to leave. “You will be sorry, Phillip. You missed out on the best thing you will ever get.” She stares us both down with evil eyes.

Phillip looks at her and then to me and says, “No I haven’t.” He pulls me along the beach and away from her dirty looks. Tyler drags Jacob along behind us.
My
, what was all that about? Phillip looked at me, like I was the best thing, and that makes me feel lucky. After we get up to the condo, the guys come staggering in.