Matt

Holy shit. I hadn't expected the jolt of electricity that zapped me when I had made contact with Vanessa. Did she experience it too? She had stared at me with wide brown eyes, mouth agape. She definitely felt it.

My heart began to race as the reality of the situation set in.

No, no, no. This isn't happening. We can't go back here. We had finally arrived at a point where it wasn't awkward to interact with one another and a bandage was now sufficient enough to patch up the wound from the hurt she had caused me.

I groaned as I watched her attempt her own drink concoction, my insides turning into a bowl of Jell-O. I was fine. Why did I let Addison convince me to go down to the shore with them? Because you wanted to. You know you miss them.

"Hmm...," Vanessa said, biting her lip as she picked up a blue bottle and unscrewed the cap. Sniffing the liquid, she crinkled her nose. "Nope." The action was small, but it was cute and enough to cause my pulse to quicken.

"Here. Smell this one." She thrusted a clear mixture beneath my nose. "What do you think of it?"

Grinning at her, I took the alcohol from her hand and poured it into a cup. "Oh, so now you want my opinion," I teased. I added a splash of lemon lime soda and offered her the drink. "Try it. I believe you will enjoy this one."

She looked at me skeptically but accepted the beverage. "This better be good."

"Or what?" I taunted.

She held the cup above my head, threatening to tip it. "Or else there will be some unexpected showers in your forecast."

"You wouldn't," I challenged her. "My poor hair." Reaching up, I wrestled the dangerous liquid away from her grasp.

She made a play for it, grabbing it back. Then giggling, she looked at me over the rim while taking a sip. Her eyes sparkled with mischief. She's adorable. I'm doomed.

***

Vanessa

I was a few drinks in and feeling goooood. Matt never did make his way back to Kayla, choosing to stay with me instead. I tried not to feel too smug over it but couldn't help but internally gloat. Addison's right. Blondie has nothing on me. I'm Vanessa Adams and when it comes to Matt, no one else can compete.

Speaking of Addison... Settling onto the sand beside Matt, I scanned the crowd for my friend. The little liar had yet to make her way back to us but for once, I was perfectly alright with being alone with him. The fireworks were set to shoot off at any minute and the lake was sparkling under the glow of the full moon. How romantic.

Chuckling, I glanced over at Matt as a thought suddenly occurred to me. "What," he asked, a quizzical expression on his face. He inspected his clothing to search for what I found to be so funny.

"Addison dared me to tell you something," I replied, taking down another slug of vodka.

He rolled his eyes. "Do I even want to hear what it is? Knowing her, it's probably a comment about how I'm so obsessed with black that I forced my body to grow dark hair or some shit along those lines."

Scooting over, I leaned in to whisper into his ear. "I think you look absolutely gorgeous in all that black. No, strike that. Sexy."

His face suddenly grew serious as his movements stilled. "I see."

I traced one finger across his chiseled jawline. "I want you, Matt."

***

Matt

Here we go again. Round number...what? I've lost count. Groaning, I dragged my hands down my face.

Vanessa furrowed her brows at me, her lids half-closed. "What's the matter?" She slurred.

I sighed as I removed the red plastic cup from her hold. "Every time you drink, V, this happens." I gestured back and forth between the two of us. "You start hitting on me. In case you haven't noticed, I don't find it to be much fun."

"Matt...," she whined, pinching my cheek. "Lighten up. It's different this time."

I nudged her hand away, placing it back on her thigh. "Is it though? Because I don't believe it is. You only ever act like this when you're under the influence."

Pouting, she kicked at the sand as she folded her arms across her chest. "Oh, I see. It's because of Kayla, isn't it? She's the only one you want to fuck now."

Taking a deep breath, I clenched my jaw shut to keep myself from completely losing my patience. Perhaps, rekindling our friendship was a huge mistake. "No," I hissed. "Kayla has nothing to do with this. I'm tired of you stringing me along with your mixed signals. You either want me or you don't."

Bursts of red, white, and blue suddenly colored the atmosphere, followed by a crackling sound. Our attention immediately turned towards the sky. Gazing up at the vibrant display, she bit her lip. "Do you still love me?" She spoke so softly that I could barely hear her over the boom of the fireworks.

Do I? Would I even admit it if I did? It will only lead to more of the same. I sighed as I lowered my gaze to her face, but she kept her sights glued overhead. "Does it matter," I replied. "We both know how this is going to play out. Let's not lie to ourselves, Vanessa."

She nodded, still refusing to look at me. "And how is that?"

I knew I was a fool for believing we could ever just be friends. I would always get sucked into her gravitational pull, allowing my whole world to orbit around her very existence. And she would never change. She would always run hot and cold. When will you ever learn Matt? She's no good for your heart.

Reaching out, I cusped her chin so that her sights were only on me. She searched my face for an answer to her question, but I would do her one better and give the explanation she had never cared to give me. "I want someone that will choose me. And keep me choosing me every single day. No second-guesses or hesitations." I pointed at her. "You can't give me that."

She let out a small whimper. "I'm picking you now."

"Now," I repeated, scoffing. Placing my hands on either side of her face, I leaned in to cover her mouth with mine. I worked my lips over hers, parting them with my tongue. Once inside, I explored her. She tasted of citrus and smelled of strawberries.

She wrapped her hands around my neck, deepening the kiss. Just as things began to heat up, I pulled away. "Perhaps you want me now, but will you change your mind after a couple of make-out sessions such as that one?"

Without waiting for a response, I trailed my fingers across the bare skin of her silky, smooth leg. She shivered as my breath tickled her ear when I leaned in to murmur, "And will you still long for me when we go to make love for the first time?"

Letting my mouth drop from her temple to her neck, I planted kisses all over her throat. I could feel her swallow beneath my lips as I began lightly sucking on her. "And how about when I tell you that I'm in love with you? Will you continue to desire me then?"

Her breathing hitched as I glided my tongue across her collarbone, working my way back up towards her mouth. Before I reached my destination, I snaked my hands through her soft waves and tipped her head back so that our eyes could meet. "And then, when we start planning our future together, will there be an ache in your heart to be with me forever?"

Her lips parted as she held my gaze. "I...I...," was all she could manage to squeak out.

"Exactly," I said dryly, releasing the hold I had on her hair. Standing up, I brushed the sand from my jeans. "I deserve better than being yanked around."

She quickly grabbed hold of my hand, her eyes pleading. "I swear, I want this. I'm not scared anymore." Her movements urgent, she tugged me to her. "Please don't leave," she whispered.

I was caught off guard by her forcefulness but also slightly turned on by this new bold side. The old Vanessa would have just let me walk away. Scrambling up, she wrapped her arms around my waist and nuzzled her head into my chest.

Her face was flushed, and her skin felt warm beneath my fingertips. Reluctantly, I found myself embracing her back as the fireworks crackled above us. How can I say "no" to you? She was showing me the one thing that I had always craved; to feel cared for.

As she held me, a soft hiccup escaped her throat, reminding me of the fact that she wasn't sober. Regaining my senses, I took a step away from her. This is the alcohol talking. Come tomorrow, when she's coherent, she'll deny everything. "I'm sorry, but I just don't believe that anything has changed."

I turned to head back up the hill, but Vanessa followed. "Wait," she called, sprinting. She stumbled on a sandcastle but quickly found her balance. "I love you!"

I froze as the words I had spent an entire year praying to hear slipped out of her mouth. Even when drunk, she had never admitted such a confession. Maybe I can trust her.

Panting, she stopped to place her hands on her knees. In between breaths, she sputtered out, "I can prove it." She swiftly closed the gap between us, hurling herself into my arms as she smothered my face in kisses.

Then she hoisted herself up, wrapping her legs around my waist. "Let's do it right now. I never wanted to sleep with Devin, and I think I know why. He's not you." She thrust her fingers into my hair, her silver ring getting tangled in my locks.

Glaring at her, I removed her hand. "Vanessa," I ground out. "What are you doing? Have you lost your mind?"

"Only for you," she whispered as she began gyrating against my body.

This isn't real. I'm imagining this. The sound of hoots and hollers erupting from around us reminded me that we weren't alone.

"Yea, baby!" A male voice yelled as another catcalled. "Show us your boobs!"

That's it. It was time to put an end to all of this. "Go home, V," I said, sternly. "You're drunk. We'll talk about this in the morning when you're sober."

"Fine," she yelled, sliding off me. Her cheeks were bright red, and I wasn't sure if it was from rage or from the alcohol. "Go make love to your girlfriend," she slurred.

"Stop." I grasped her shoulders, looking her in the eye. "Listen to me. You've had a lot to drink and you're not thinking clearly right now. I think we should discuss this but not tonight."

She took a step back, tears springing to her eyes. "I knew you would end up breaking my heart," she cried before taking off and disappearing amongst the crowd.

Vanessa

I woke up the next morning feeling as though my brain was about to explode out of my skull. The events from last night were a bit fuzzy but I knew it involved Matt, alcohol, and a high level of mortification.

Covering my face with a pillow, I let out the loudest scream I could muster. What must Matt think of me now? Things were just starting to feel normal between us again and then I had to go off and do something as desperate as throwing myself at him.

"Oh, good. You're up." I heard Addison's perky voice as she plopped herself on the bed. Matt must have enlisted her to take me home. "I heard you put on quite the show last night." She batted her eyelashes. "Ooh la-la."

"Shut up!" I threw the pillow at her, but she dodged it.

"Come on, V. You had to have known that you would be the talk of the evening. I'm just sorry I didn't get to see your seduction act for myself." She grinned, scarcely unable to contain her glee. "Rumor has it, Matt had a front-row seat."

I yanked the covers over my head, vowing to never come out as long as anyone who was at that party remained alive. "Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!"

Addison giggled. "Aw, come on. I think this is fantastic news. All those years spent obsessing over the guy and you finally had the guts to do something about it. I'll admit I wasn't expecting something of that caliber but hey, no judgment. You do you, girl."

Narrowing my eyes, I stuck my tongue out at her. "I'm glad my humiliation is hysterical to you." I searched for something else to chuck at her head, contemplating on sacrificing the blanket but ultimately deciding I needed it to hide under. "I ruined everything," I groaned. "Matt probably hates me."

"Oh, I wouldn't say that," she replied, tugging at the comforter.

"Why?" I chanced peeking out from under the safety of my new living quarters. "What do you know?"

"Just that he seemed concerned about you." Her expression sobered as she studied me. "He asked me to have you call him when you were...in a better frame of mind."

"Not a chance in hell," I spat out, covering my face again.

Addison placed her hand gently on the mound that was me. "Vanessa, you have to. Can't you see that you're only proving Matt right by running from this? You're all over him one day and then avoiding him the next. What's he supposed to think?"

I raised an eyebrow at her. "How do you know he said that?"

She looked a little sheepish as she lowered her gaze. "We talked. I got the feeling that he's hoping you'll be upfront with him without the liquid courage."

Scoffing, I snuggled deeper into my cocoon. "Addie, I threw myself at him and he flat out refused me. Do you have any clue how mortifying that is?"

"No, I don't," she answered, shaking her head. "But I know someone who would understand how it feels to be brutally rejected. Someone who cares about you and wants you to come to him with your problems instead of continuing to bolt." She sighed as studied the tips of her fingernails. "Vanessa, the longer you wait to speak to him, the harder it will be and then you are right back to where you started from a year ago. Do you really want to go through that again?"

She has a point. I can either elude him forever and get nowhere or I can get over my fears and confess everything that's in my heart. "Alright," I agreed, holding out my palm. "Hand me my phone."

Matt

I was having an intense dream about fighting a pack of wolves when the sound of distant howling awoke me. As I came to, I realized it wasn't the call of the wild but rather, my phone chiming. With eyes still closed, I fumbled around on the nightstand for it. "Hello?" I mumbled groggily, not even bothering to check who was calling.

"Hi." At the lilt of Vanessa's soft voice, I sat up feeling fully awake now.

This is a surprise. I seriously wasn't expecting her to reach out. "Hey, V. How are you feeling?"

She let out a breath. "Um...I'm okay. So, about last night..." She laughed nervously. "That was uh...quite something, wasn't it?"

"It was," I agreed. "I won't argue with you there." The blurry, glowing red numbers on my alarm clock came into focus as I waited for her to reply but there was only silence from the other end.

I cleared my throat. "Vanessa, I'm not mad if that's what you're wondering." It's not a lie. She didn't do anything wrong. This time, I'm the one that pushed her away.

"Oh, that's a relief," she said, exhaling. "I'm not either."

Cradling the phone between my ear and shoulder, I slid out of bed and rummaged through a pile of clothes on the floor in search of something to wear. "I'm not angry," I repeated. "But I do want to discuss what happened."

She laughed but there was no humor in her tone. "I was a drunken idiot. That's it. End of story. OW!" Rustling emitted from the background as hushed voices spoke animatedly. "Stop that Addison!" Vanessa shouted.

"Sorry," she continued breathlessly. "Addie is a bit crazed because she hasn't had her caffeine yet."

I scooped up a pair of jeans and sniffed them. These smell clean. Slipping one leg into the pant hole, I replied, "So, that's all you wanted to say then?"

"Yea. I believe so."

I clenched my jaw as I realized that without the help of alcohol, she would never admit to having feelings.

"Hey," she resumed breezily as though she hadn't just struck another blow. "Let's catch up soon, okay? There's a new comedy film out that I've been dying to see." Then before I could answer, the line went dead.

I stared at the phone in my hand, the silence coming from the other end speaking volumes.