"I thought I could leave you alone for a couple hours. I guess I couldn't." Ryan said, running his hand through his hair.

"It's too hard."

"Marissa, I can't let you keep killing yourself."

"I'm not."

"Yes you are. You almost died a week ago. Do you know how awful that made me feel."

Marissa sat up and glared at Ryan.

"I'm sorry that I'm so messed up that's it's affecting your life. You left me. I just tried to deal with all the hurt I was feeling." She yelled.

"Stop. That wasn't what I meant."

"Then what DID you mean?"

"I meant that if something happened to you I would be devastated. Inconsolable."

"Ryan, I have to continue on living. But I really need help to do it without any drugs."

"Then, I'll help you."

"What if I can't stop."

"What if you can?" Ryan looked down in his ex-girlfriend's eyes. He could see all the hurt in her. She was engulfed in it.

"I might not make it."

"I'll help you to make it."

"And if I drink again?"

"Then you have to deal with me."

Marissa let a tear drop down her face. Before she had the chance to wipe it away, Ryan's hand gently smoothed it away.

"Do you know what I want right now?" Marissa asked quietly.

"What do you want?" Ryan's voice was so husky and sexy.

"I want to kiss you."

"Then what's stopping you?" He poised the question. What was she going to say?

"Nothing."

He felt her tender lips press against his in the most passionate way. Ryan moved his hand over to her back so he could hug her while still kissing her.

1234567

Sandy and Kirsten came home to a dark house. Where was Ryan? They snuck into the pool house to see if he was in there. Sure enough he was there laying in bed with Marissa.

"Do you smell alcohol?" Sandy whispered to his wife.

"Yes."

"Do you think Ryan knows?"

"Ryan knows." Kirsten stomach growled loudly.

"Are you hungry?"

"Starving."

They walked back into the house. They noticed a small light coming from Seth's room.

"Do you think Seth's back yet?"

"Could be."

They tip-toed to the door and slightly opened it.

Seth was sitting on his bed reading a magazine.

"Seth! You're back!" Kirsten screamed running up to him and giving him a big kiss."

"MOM!!!" He said wiping the kiss off."

"Hey kiddo." Sandy said, ruffling his hair around.

"Hey."

"Back so soon?"

"Yah. It was kind of lonely on the water."

"Have you talked to Summer yet?"

"No. I just got back like four hours ago."

"Does Ryan know your back?"

"Yah. But he's probably yelling at Marissa right now."

"Not right now. They're sleeping."

"He probably got tired of it then."

"What happened?"

"He went to Chino to get some things he forgot and he made Marissa promise to stay put and not get into anything. He comes home and finds me and we go to see what Marissa's up to. She's drunk and......" He pauses and looks at his mother.

"What?" She responds back.

"Why do you have painkillers?"

"How do you know that?" A shade of red appeared on her face.

"Because Marissa got into them while Ryan was gone and totally ate to many."

"Is she okay?"

"Yah. But please explain mother."

"Later Seth."

To be continued