A/N: I don't own the lyrics in this chapter.
Later that evening, Val sat outside her house, staring morosely out at the ocean. She couldn't believe what happened earlier was for real. She wished she could wake up and have it all be a dream.
Lars, out for an evening stroll (read: to get away from his brother), paused within Val's earshot.
"Uh, you might wanna back up a little," he said. "The tide's coming in."
With so much going on in her head and heart, Val had barely noticed her feet beginning to feel wet.
"Is it okay if I sit down?" Lars asked.
Val nodded, not taking her eyes off the gently rolling water. Lars sat a yard or so away from her.
"I don't think I should be talking to you right now," said Val.
She made to stand up. Lars grabbed her forearm, pulling her back onto the sand.
"Ah-ah-ah, chica. You're gonna hear me out on this," he said. "Look, I know you must feel like hell, because you sure look like it."
"That's one way of putting it," Val said, an edge of toughness in her tone. "I've never felt so...so...alone and...confused...and messed-up in all my life. This week was supposed to be fun, and now Twist hates me. I'd never cheat on him."
"I hope you wouldn't 'cause I might have to hurt ya," said Lars with a half-grin. "Nothin' personal. I just gotta look out for my baby bro."
She gave him the famous Lightning stare, reducing her cat-shaped eyes to slits. Lars cleared his throat. He hoped his next plan of attack would work. He begin to sing.
"...So you don't give a darn about me
I'll never treat you bad
I would never lift a hand to hurt you
I'll try to make you glad
So you find me hard to handle
I'm easier to hold..."
"Why are you tormenting me?" Val asked miserably.
"Look, what I'm trying to say is: If my dork of a brother can't treat you right, I will," said Lars. "I know you guys just broke up and everything, but just think about it okay?"
A/N: Don't ya just love cliffhangers? To see what happens, please review. By the way, the song mentioned is Greg Allman's "I'm No Angel," a personal favorite of mine.