Free Never Forget (Memories) by Emma Hart Page B

drink.
    ''Yep, that'll do it,'' I laugh. She tilts her bottle towards me and raises her eyebrows casually.
    ''Someone's heading your way, and he looks interested.''
    I hate my body for the way a little hope blooms at the thought it could be Alec.
    I glance over my shoulder. It's not Alec - but it's not altogether a bad alternative. He's not as built as Alec, but his hair is darker and his eyes look kind of hazel in the darkness. He's attractive, and had I not met Alec I'd be up for a flirt.
    Hold up. When did I start comparing everyone to Alec?
    Ugh. I need help.
    ''Carl's mate from college. He's called James, and he's alright.'' Jen smiles.
    ''I thought you were rooting for Alec?'' I whisper to her.
    ''Oh, I am. But the thought he might have a bit of competition might give him a kick up the ass.'' She winks at me and sends a beaming smile over my shoulder. ''Hey, James. How you doin'?''
    ''Arite, Jen? Not bad maid, you?''
    His accent is proper Devonshire. Or should that be propurr?
    Okay, Alexis, put the alcohol down.
    ''Yeah, good thanks.''
    ''Who's ya friend?''
    ''Oh, James, this is Lexy, my friend from London. Lexy, this is James.''
    I turn and realise he's a lot taller than me. ''Hey. Nice to meet you.''
    He shakes my hand. ''An' you, maid. Down for the summer?''
    ''Yep,'' I say with a small smile.
    ''James, you seen Carl?'' Jen interjects.
    ''Yeah, he's down by the sea talkin' to the guys.''
    ''I'll go and find him, leave you two to get to know each other.'' She walks past us and throws me a sly smile. I shake my head at her games.
    ''Been ta the Bay before?'' James asks.
    ''Yeah, used to come every summer. My Gram lives here.''
    ''That how ya know Jen?''
    ''Yeah, we used to play together when we were kids.''
    ''Nice girl.'' He nods approvingly, his eyes roaming over me. ''Not as nice as you, though.''
    I'm not comfortable with him. At all. I glance around and I can spy Bing talking to Bianca with his back to me, and Alec is too busy glaring at the side of James' head to catch my eye.
    ''Got a boyfriend, Lexy?''
    My name sounds dirty on his lips.
    "Nope, I don't."
    I look around and we're fairly secluded from everyone else. Pretty much everyone here is local and they're all smart enough not to be by the rocks while they're drinking.
    "Well then," James drawls. At least, he tries to. "How about me and you go back there an' have a little fun?"
    "I'm fine here thanks." Alarm bells ring in my mind as he steps closer. I step backwards - into the rock.
    I'm backed in and he's either really drunk, or really stupid. I'd bet a bit 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