Page 49 of Beautiful Monster

Brushing my wet hair out of my face, he smiles down at me. I can feel eyes on us as I lean on him, getting a little too comfortable, hanging on his legs, my hands not far from the off-limits zone.

I wonder how many people question our relationship, and the thought excites me. Do they think we’re screwing over there in his mansion? Do they see me as his secret girlfriend?

“Exactly. I’m not leaving you for one second,” he says with a serious brow.

“Are you worried I’ll drown in front of all of these people?”

“That’s not what I’m worried about, Sunny.”

I bite my lip. His cool mood is growing warm, and I feel him getting demanding.

Hopping up, perched on his legs and practically between them, I loop my arms around his neck. His eyes grow wide. He thinks I’m about to kiss him. Instead, I lean in, and whisper. “Fine, then.”

I plant my feet against the pool wall and launch myself backward, pulling a fully dressed Alexander into the water with me. Once we’re both under the surface, his hands grab my sides tight, almost painfully, as he pulls me against him.

A second later we pop out of the water, and I wait for the anger that I illicitly coaxed out of him. “You’re dead,” he snaps as he throws me across the water by my waist like I weigh nothing.

I let out a yelp as I crash, hearing the laughter before I go under. Quickly, I swim back to him and latch myself onto his back, trying to dunk him, but obviously he doesn’t budge. He laughs, that silky smooth low chuckle that tickles my insides.

When it’s clear I won’t be dunking him, I settle for hanging from his shoulders as he wades in the water. People are most definitely watching us now.

Let the motherfuckers look.

CHAPTER 18

SUNNY

Just after it starts to get dark, Alex and I huddle under one towel at the edge of the pool. I haven’t had a drink in over an hour, so I feel myself sobering back up. It was fun while it lasted, but this…is far better.

My mother walks out of the house with a three-tiered cake with a large number 20 candle on top. Everyone starts singing, and I can’t hide the embarrassed smile on my face. Next to me, Alexander sits in his wet clothes, watching me with a proud expression. It’s a private look, and for just a moment as everyone sings, it feels like it’s just the two of us, and my birthday isn’t just a celebration for me but for both of us.

My mother gives me a couple presents to open, but I’m starting to notice the slur in her voice, so I open them and try to keep a normal smile on my face. It’s a new pair of headphones since mine were broken. I don’t want to tell her that I like listening to music with Alex, without headphones.

After presents, I sit at the patio table with Cadence and Alexander, and for the first time in a long time, I feel genuinely happy. Then, my mother swoops in, sitting too close to me, alcohol on her breath as she squeezes me tight.

“Stay home tonight,” she says, the words sounding like a request and an order.

My heart sinks. All I could think about today was crawling into bed with Alexander, hoping maybe he would let down this wall between us.

The table grows awkwardly silent. I watch Alexander grind his molars as he stays silent. She doesn’t bother to look at him. I don’t want to see what drunk Mom and sober Alex would be like together.

And I don’t want to stir the pot, so I figure one night would make her happy, but after that, I’ll be back at Alexander’s.

“Just tonight,” I mumble, keeping my eyes down on my fidgeting fingers.

“We’ll see,” she says, brushing my hair out of my face.

Finally, chancing a glance up at Alexander, I meet his gaze, his eyes fixed on me. Cool and emotionless. I feel like I’m letting him down, disappointing him somehow. Not because I’m sleeping here but because he thinks I’m letting her dictate my life. I’m not speaking up the way he wants me to.

A moment later, my mother leaves us alone, but we don't continue our conversation. No one is laughing or talking anymore, so Cadence stands up and has to catch herself as she sways toward where Fischer is talking to a group of guys.

“Do you want me to go back with you?” I ask, feeling breathless.

“You’re a big girl, Sunny. You make your own decisions.”

Dammit, Alexander. If you want me to stay with you, tell me so. But he won’t. He wants me to make the calls.

“Just for tonight,” I say, feeling his eyes on me.