A/N: Thanks for the reviews (american x dreamer, Dawnie-7, and TheHollister)! I love reading them. Also thanks to all the readers, you all are in my cool book! lol. Well enough being blabbing, here is Chapter 4. Please Read and Review! Thanks a bunch!

Chapter 4: Truth and Liquor Shall Set You Free

Erin glanced at her clock and it read 5:13 am. She forced herself from her bed and grabbed her red bikini from one of her bags on the floor. She grabbed her wetsuit from the closet. Anyone could tell it hadn't seen the sun in a while. She smiled to herself as she went to the bathroom to change. She could feel a rush of excitement run through her body as she thought about the waves. After she got out of the bathroom she quietly crept to her room to get her surfboard and skateboard. She slowly passed by Neema's room, she peeked inside to see Neema sprawled out on the bed. She figured the man had left after he got what he wanted. She walked to the living room to the front door. "Hey," a voice spoke. She jumped back and turned to see the man sitting on the couch smoking a cigarette.

"Uh...hi," Erin said sounding confused and just shook her head as she opened the door.

"We weren't properly introduced. I'm Duncan," he smiled at Erin. Erin nodded not really caring and just wanted to leave.

"Yeah. I'm really happy for you," she said with one foot out the door but Duncan began to speak again.

"What's your name," he asked.

"Dude, what does it matter? You're going to be gone by tomorrow. You're just a fuck buddy for Neema. No true commitment. So it really doesn't matter if you know my name or not," Erin shook her head and was finally able to escape the prison she called a home. She threw her skateboard down on the sidewalk and skated towards the P.O.P. Pier. She could make out shadowy figures walking down the street as she passed by and tried her best to avoid bumping into them. She adjusted her wetsuit so it wouldn't slide down anymore, since she had the top half wrapped around her waist.

She stopped when the broken down pier came into clear view. She grinned to herself when she could smell the salt of the water. All of a sudden everything that was bothering her was gone. Nothing mattered to her now; just catching those waves was what mattered. She walked over to get a closer view. She saw Skip and Billy Z surfing the waves while the others watched. Erin jumped up when she felt a pair of cold hands touch her back. She turned around to see Jay laughing. "Jackass," she punched his shoulder hard.

"Sorry couldn't help it. Glad to see you came," he grinned and noticed the scar on her face. "Nice," he glided his finger over it. She flicked his hand away.

"Yeah thanks," she turned back to the ocean. Skip and the rest of the gang were heading over to their usual spot, under the pier sitting on pieces of broken pillars. Jay and Erin walked over to them. Tony and Stacy showed up within seconds of the other two's arrival. Erin tossed her skateboard aside as did the others. Skip glanced at them as he took a beer from the ice chest. He lightly shook the can shaking the melted ice off the top.

"Nice to see they let you out," he grinned at Erin.

"Well I have my ways," she shrugged as she put on the top half of her wetsuit. "How are the waves," she asked as she zipped it up.

"Gnarly," Billy smirked as he took a beer from the ice chest as well.

"Awesome," Erin smiled big and glanced at Stacy and Tony.

"Ready to get wet chica," Tony smacked Erin's back. She stepped forward and was able to catch her balance. The four headed to the ocean and paddled out. Skip and the others watched as each of the four kids took their turns riding the waves.

---
Erin walked into her house with her surfboard under one arm and her skateboard under the other. Her hair was dripping wet, she walked to her room and tossed her skateboard aside and carefully leaned her surfboard against the wall. It was a birthday gift from Charlie; she treated it like it was her baby. She began unzipping her wetsuit and pulled down the top half. She grabbed a pair of short shorts and a t-shirt that read 'St. Joseph Boarding School.' She went to the bathroom to take a shower and change. She wasn't a big fan of having her hair smell like salt.

She walked out of the bathroom changed about twenty minutes later and walked to the kitchen. She grabbed the orange juice carton and drank some. Not bothering to get a glass; it was a bad habit she picked up from her brother. She heard a knock at the door. She put the carton on the table and went to answer it. Jay pushed open the door and strolled in like it was no big deal. "Yeah Jay please come in," she said still staring outside as if Jay was still standing there.

"Yeah whatever," he smirked. She shut the door and turned to face Jay. He couldn't help but stare at the circular scar on her face. "What happened," he asked as he removed his hat.

"Nothing," she snapped and sat down on the couch. She covered her cheek with her hand.

"So what? You're going to walk around with your hand on your face," he arched an eyebrow as he sat down next to her.

"Well if it will stop people from asking me damn questions," she answered sarcastically. She moved her hand and sighed. "Neema thought she could get even with me by putting her cigarette out on my face. She thinks it will make me hideous and I'll have to hide in a basement like the Phantom of the Opera," she said in a spooky tone of voice. She laughed and shook her head.

"Well it worked," Jay stated turning his face away from her as if he was shielding his eyes. She pushed him and began to laugh. Erin hated Jay but at the same time she loved the way he would make her feel better. Jay turned to her and touched her chin with his thumb and winked.

"Thanks," she said softly and gave him a small smile. Jay leaned in once again but Erin turned away from him. "So are you going to Tony's party tonight," she asked trying to keep her focus straight ahead.

"Yeah I guess. Could be fun," Jay answered and sighed loudly. Erin nodded.

"Well I see you there," she said hoping Jay would leave. She bit her lip and didn't want to look at him. He picked up on the hint and jumped off the couch.

"Later," he walked out. She watched him leave and could feel butterflies in her stomach. She had a boyfriend; she couldn't let her eye wander around. Red Dog loved her and she loved him. No question about it. Jay was just Jay, nothing more.

---
The Doors' "Hello, I Love You" came blaring from the speakers at Tony's house. Jay was standing next to the table where the beer was. He was looking around the room to see if anyone in particular was there. Red Dog walked into the house with Erin. They both had a frustrated expression on their face. "What's the big deal," he shook his head at her.

"The big deal is, you were flirting with her," Erin practically screamed at him. Red Dog glanced around and saw that no one was staring at them, which was a sense of relief for him. Jay smiled to himself and continued to watch in anticipation.

"I wasn't," Red Dog defended himself.

"Jim, you were all over her," Erin pushed him forcefully. Red Dog shook his head.

"Whatever. Make all the accusations you want. I don't care," he walked over to Shogo and Wentzle. Erin stomped her foot and headed over to the table where Jay was. She poured herself some beer and drank it in one gulp.

"Easy," Jay joked and looked at her.

"Uh-huh yeah whatever," Erin rolled her eyes and poured herself some more. She turned so her back could be against the table and she looked over at Red Dog. She could tell he was talking to Shogo and Wentzle about her and how she exploded for apparently no reason. She wanted to get back at him and glanced at Jay. She drank the rest of the beer from the cup and poured herself some more. She took a step closer to Jay. Jay noticed but didn't budge. "So...how's life," she smiled as she drank the beer.

"Good I suppose," he shrugged. Erin stood in front of Jay and drank the rest of beer. She got closer to Jay and looked up at him. "Um...what are you doing," he asked trying to sound like he minded, but in reality it was a dream come true.

"Just go with it," she whispered to him and glimpsed over at Red Dog. He was watching her. She turned back to Jay and pulled him into a long kiss. Jay kissed her back on impulse. She unnoticeably moved his hands so they could be on her waist. Jay ran his hand under her shirt. Red Dog slammed his fist into the wall and walked outside onto the porch. Erin pulled away from Jay and knew she had made Red Dog jealous. "Thanks," she pinched Jay's cheek and poured herself some more beer. Jay seemed to be out of breath.

"Anytime," he went along knowing why she did it. It hurt him to know the reason why she kissed him, but he tried not to show it. He wanted to tell Erin that he really liked her, but he knew he didn't stand a chance with her. Even though Red Dog did screw up sometimes, he always made it up to Erin in the sweetest way. There was no way Jay could compete with that. So he just figured he would be on the rebound.

It didn't take long for Erin to become drunk. She was stumbling around Tony's house bumping into people. She stepped outside onto the porch and nearly fell over the railing but Jay was there to grab a hold of her. "Whoa," Jay smirked at her.

"Niiice to see you," Erin giggled and tweaked Jay's nose. She took a step back and grabbed a hold of the railing.

"I think it's time to go home," Jay said and put her arm around his neck and let her lean her weight against him.

"Hooome," Erin slurred. Jay looked around for Red Dog, but he was too busy making out with some blonde girl on the couch. He shook his head and decided to take Erin home. He began walking in the direction of her house. "Jaayyy," she hiccupped.

"Yeah?"

"I looovve you," she hiccupped once again. Jay knew she was drunk and knew better than to believe her. So he just nodded and smiled at her. "Nooo...I wuv you," she kissed his cheek and laughed. "Lots!" she shrieked and hiccupped.

"Thanks," Jay grabbed her waist to make sure she wouldn't fall.

"I'm," she pointed to herself. "Haven't had seeex," she giggled at the word 'sex'. "With Jim because I wuv you," she rested her head on his shoulder. "You mean lots to me," she began to mutter and close her eyes. Jay stopped and picked her up. He looked down at her; she snuggled up to his chest and wrapped her arms around his neck. Jay could feel the butterflies in his stomach. He shook it off and ignored it.

He walked up the steps to the front door. He laid Erin down on the swinging bench and he picked up the porcelain frog on the porch. He retrieved the spare key and unlocked the front door. He walked over to pick up Erin and headed inside the house. Once he was in he pushed the door with his foot to close. He walked quietly to Erin's room and opened her bedroom door. He laid her down on her bed gently. Erin opened her eyes slowly. "Jay," she said and pulled him down next to her.

"Yeah," he answered in a whisper. She sat up and kissed him forcefully. Jay couldn't help himself but kiss her back. She began to pull him down on top of her. She ran her hand up his shirt and roamed his chest. Jay knew what was going to happen if he went any further and he wanted it, but at the same time something inside didn't want to go through with it. He pulled away from her and looked at her. "I can't...not like this," he shook his head and stood up. He wasn't going to have sex with his best friend and have her not remember. She looked at him.

"I...," she began to say. Jay could feel the butterflies in stomach again. "I...lo...have to puke," she shot up from the bed and stumbled to the bathroom. Jay rushed after her and held back her hair as she puked into the toilet. Jay felt like an idiot to think that Erin really loved him; he knew it was the alcohol talking and controlling her actions. But maybe he was wrong and she was telling the truth. In his mind it was a one in a million chance that Erin loved him.