The Complete Memories Series by Emma Hart Page A

of both.
    “C’mon maid, me an’ you could have a real good time, you get what I’m sayin’?”
    I can smell the beer on his breath and it’s all I can do not to gag.
    “No.”
    “No, you don’t get what I’m sayin’ or you don’t want a good time?”
    “I don’t want a good time, especially not with you,” I say icily and look up at him.
    “Well, thass a shame, cause me an’-”
    “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” Alec’s voice warns from the shadows. I look over James’ shoulder at him.
    I’ve never seen Alec angry, but it’s not a look I want to see again.
    “And why should I do tha, surfer boy?” James sniggers.
    “Because that’s my little sister your dirty ass is tryin’ to fuckin’ hit on you creep,” Bing seethes and steps next to me. His body is tight and his fists are clenched.
    He’s ready to fight James.
    “Bing, let’s just go,” I say quietly and touch his arm.
    “Nah-uh,’’ he says without looking at me. “I wanna know who the fuck this little prick thinks he is pullin’ those kinda moves on my baby sister.”
    “Hey, listen here mate, you ain’t her keeper and this little slut-”
    I hear the crack before my brain comprehends the fact Bing has punched him and is now pinning him to the ground, and that I’m in Alec’s arms.
    I don’t realise I’m shaking until Alec tightens his grip on me. He rubs my back gently and I press my face into him.
    “You’re alright, Princess,” he whispers in my ear. “I’ve got you now.”
    I grab fistfuls of his shirt and ignore the shouts and cheers behind me. I’m not worried for Bing. He knows how to look after himself - I’ve seen him fight a guy twice his size and KO him.
    “Oh my god Lexy I’m so sorry!” Jen wraps her arms around both me and Alec. “If I knew he’d try that I never would have left you alone with him!”
    “It’s okay.” I turn my head slightly so I can see her. “You didn’t know. None of us did.”
    “Why was she alone with him in the first place?” Alec questions her.
    Jen looks at me and I grimace slightly.
    “We...” She sighs. “He was coming over and I thought if you saw her with another guy you’d get a wriggle on and you know.”
    “You left her with a stranger to make me jealous?” Alec explodes and steps back.
    I let go of his shirt with one hand and grab his arm. He looks upwards and I tug on his arm.
    “Alec?” I say softly. He looks down at me. “I’m okay. Really. He didn’t touch me. Jen didn’t know that’s what he had on his mind. He’s a friend of Carl’s - she thought it would be okay.”
    “It was a stupid idea. I’m sorry.” Jen looks at the ground.
    “Aw, hell, Jen. I don’t blame you. I’m just angry at that prick for trying to take something that doesn’t belong to him. Yeah, yeah I know.”
    Jen must have made a face or something at him, but as I’m still looking at Alec I don’t know.
    “Go and tell Carl we’re getting Bing. We’ll meet you at the car in ten.” Alec smiles at Jen and she disappears. He looks back down at me and pulls me back into him.
    This time, I wrap my arms around his waist and just let him hold me.
    “Sure you’re okay?” he asks softly.
    “I’m okay now,” I reply and he squeezes me. He puts his face in my hair and I can’t help my sigh.
    My head is telling me I shouldn’t be so close to him, it’s wrong, but I can’t deny how right it feels, the safety I feel in his arms.
    Bing comes over a few minutes later.
    “Let’s get you home, Lex.” He strokes my head softly.
    I turn to him and make to move from Alec’s arms. Bing shakes his head, barely, and I smile at him. Maybe he knows me better than I thought. Alec tucks me tightly into his side and I lean into him.
    It’s just as Jen said. He’s dangerous, the guy I’d be stupid to trust, but I can let myself have this. I can let myself curl into his embrace tonight, simply because I can’t pull myself away.
    Alec tosses Bing his keys. I shoot my