Fraying

I traced the life line on my hand and wondered if I should worry it splintered and frayed the closer it got to my wrist. Did this mean my life would end abruptly and violently? Or would I would have a long-lived life and die in my bed of old age? Maybe I should find a palmist and ask her to explain my life. Maybe she would be able to make sense of it, because I sure as fuck can't.

My eyes closed involuntarily as I tried not to wallow in self-pity because, really, what's more pathetic than throwing a party for yourself? There's a reason why the elusive they say misery loves company; who wants to be the only one wearing a funny cone-shaped hat?

Saturday night had started so normally…

Who the hell was the sexy witty guy I just traded barbs with? He sure as hell wasn't Lily's bitter ex Logan Echolls; no, this guy was funny, sharp, and verbally quick, felt fan-fucking-tastic spread out over me, and made my lips tingle with a deep-seated need to cover his gorgeous face with kisses.

It's official: I've finally snapped with reality and am really locked up in the cuckoo-cuckoo house.

"Damn girl, that was intense."

"Huh?"

"Me. Princess Kane. Kissing. Keep up!"

I shook myself clear of Logan-induced fog and really paid attention to my best friend. His mouth was swollen and red, but even more worrisome was the slightly dazed look in his brown eyes. I've seen that look before and it never translates into something good (well, I can't say Mario isn't something good, but his mom on the other hand).

"You know she was just doing it because her ex was here, right?" I'd been keeping an eye on them all night and Lily only started her flirting routine the minute she noticed Logan arrived. I would be completely impressed with how fast she switched up her personality if it wasn't at the expense of Weevil.

"It was worth it though, chica. She's one fine-assed woman with – "

"Okay, I love you and all, but I'd prefer if you didn't give me a blow by blow of her physical attributes."

"What I wouldn't give for a blow from her."

I made a retching sound, which only made him grin wider.

"Sides, I didn't think you noticed, not with the intense convo going down between you and Lily's boy."

I shrugged off his observation, not ready to explain exactly what was going on, especially since I couldn't figure out what the hell just happened. "He tripped me up and then insulted me, so I had to return the favor. Well, the insulting part at least."

Weevil groaned. "Damn V, your tongue is hella sharp. I'm surprised he's still not bleeding from the ballectomy you gave him. I almost feel sorry for him."

"Hell, he deserves everything I give him and more!"

"Whoa, chica, I'm not siding with his white ass, I'm just sayin', you're hardcore sometimes, you know?"

"Whatevs. You ready to bounce? I'm thinking with a fight going on and underage drinking; it won't be long until the Po-Po rolls in."

"Yah, just what I need, a bunch of cops roundin' up the usual suspects. Where'd Max disappear to?"

Surprisingly, we found Max chatting with the only other non-09er besides us at the damn beach. I recognized the look on his face and wondered what it was about these fucking Neptune girls that seemed to throw my boys for a ring-a-ding loop. He reluctantly parted from his new mon amie, making sure to leave her his cell number and e-mail just in case she wanted to continue their conversation.

"You didn't leave her your home address?"

"Damn, you think I should have?"

"Chill, Max, I was kidding!"

"She's hella cool, Ronnie. She's into the same bands, loves anime, and plays video games."

"Wow, a match made in Nerd Heaven. What's this paragon's name?"

"Mac. She's a junior at Neptune High. Maybe you've seen her around?"

"Uh, no I can't say I have. It's not like I go out of my way to meet new people."

"Jesus, V, the CIA is friendlier than you."

"Yeah, 'cause they're all about spreading love and kisses across the world."

"What, you call threatening to barbeque six football players unless one of them admitted their guilt friendly?"

The silence was cricket loud and I could see Weevil's face scrunching into an uncomfortable frown as he recognized the untenable memories he'd unburied.

"Too soon?" Two seconds later. "Hey, stop throwing shit at me, I'm driving here!"

"So, not to change the subject or anything, but speaking of new people, who was tall, dark, and studly you were talking to so intensely?"

"Oh ho, you noticed it too, eh Max?"

"Cheese and Rice guys! It was nothing; he's Lily's ex Logan, the emo guy she came to Dog's Beach to avoid."

"Yet, he somehow showed up and started chatting you up instead of her."

"More because he tripped over me and didn't get the last word in. He's such an asshat, he followed me just to insult me. His royal assness was angered that I breathed his precious air."

"She used ass twice. Sounds like true love to me."

I tensed when I sensed someone coming up beside me, but I relaxed when he spoke. "Of all the beaches in all the towns in all the world and she has to stand on mine."

"You do know that's not how the line goes, right?"

"Actor's kid, remember? But there is much to be said about paraphrasing."

"Wow, that's a big word for you; were you looking up paraphernalia and accidentally skip a few pages?"

"You're not as funny or witty as you think you are."

"Yet you keep coming back for more." I peeked at him from the corner of my eye. "What're you doing here Echolls? Shouldn't you be at school?"

"I would ask the same thing, truant. Lily said you had some business to take care of." He made a show of looking around. "Nice business being on the beach."

I wondered what he would say if I told him I couldn't trust my mother to go to work unless I drove her there; that she'd called in "sick" the day before because she was so drunk I could smell her through my bedroom door. Would he understand the fear I lived with every day that I would come home to another eviction notice plastered on our door because she didn't pay the rent like the place in L.A.?

But I know this game, so the words spin off my tongue with little effort. "Wow gathering intel on me from your ex, ballsy. There are stalker laws in California, you know."

"I know. I have at least three restraining orders out."

"Hmn, that's nothing. I have six."

"Your milkshake bringing all the boys to the yard?"

"Well, actually, they're against me."

Logan's eyebrow quirked as he tried to decipher my tone; I was being serious, but I wasn't sure why I just blurted the information out to him. He had no reason to know my business. Focus, Mars!

Fortunately I found a distraction from the questions about to spill forth. "I see you brought your Dick."

"Are you-what-huh?" The confusion on his face shouldn't be adorable, but fuck if he didn't make it look good.

"Dude, I thought we were coming here to surf, not talk to bitches."

"Wooo, some shiner you got there Ali. Did your face meet Connor Larkin's fists?" I couldn't help the breathless emphasis on the actor's name. It was fun to watch the red rise in both boys' faces. "How's Madison doing?"

He ignored me. "Logan, with me or not?"

I half expected Dick to stomp his foot and pout like a frustrated four-year-old.

"Echolls, you are aware you have to keep your pet on a leash, right? It says so on that sign over there."

"Dick, grab the boards, I'll be right there."

It was probably wise he sent the blonde surfer away because I was pretty certain the kid was about three seconds away from imploding.

"He really shouldn't bottle his emotions up like that. It can't be good for his blood pressure."

"Do you have an off switch?" There was a note in his voice I didn't understand.

"Sorry, stud, I'm not one of your animatronics chicks where you can just turn me on when you wanna fuck and then store me away when you're done."

"Who said anything about fucking?" His cocoa brown eyes swept over my body and suddenly my t-shirt and jeans combo seemed woefully underdressed, which was strange since he was in a skin-tight wetsuit that showed off every muscle he had (that I could see). I was circumspect enough not to let my eyes dip below shoulder level, though I really really wanted to, and kinda weirded out by how much I wanted to. I'm a healthy female, don't get me wrong, but this was Lily's ex and the school's psychotic jackass.

Reminding myself of this centered me and I threw off the odd girlish moment.

"Honey, there are men who think with two brains, and there are men who can only think with one. Ten bucks for which category you fall into."

It was the perfect exit line and I gratefully turned, making sure to grab my discarded shoes before walking away.

"I'd rate your exit a six."

I stopped (why did I stop?) but refused to look over my shoulder. "I'd say it deserved at least a seven point five."

"Fine, I'll give you an extra point because you have a nice ass, but I refuse to go any higher."

"Please, my ass is worth three stars at least."

"Woohoo, the girl has an inflated opinion of herself. I've seen better."

"I'm sure you have. Were they also walking away?"

"No, they were bent over my bed."

How the hell had he gotten so close to whisper in my ear without me realizing it?

"Cat got your tongue?"