Never Forget (Memories)

bonus.''
    ''I'm sure,'' I mumble, picking the hammer back up. ''I don't know how I'm supposed to keep it to myself.''
    ''Ask no questions and I'll tell you no lies. She doesn't ask, you don't tell. Simple as.''

CHAPTER SIX

    ALEXIS

    Alec ends up staying for dinner, and it's awkward to say the least. Grammy spends the whole time gazing at us both with her twinkly eyes, Dad discusses the latest Man U score and Mum looks at me with sympathy.
    Me? I spend the whole time looking at the table and wishing I could disappear into the corner where my Grandmother-come-cupid can't find me.
    ''What are you doing tomorrow?'' Alec asks me.
    ''Jen said something about going to Croyde.'' I shrug.
    ''Come earlier. I'll teach you to surf.'' He smiles his charming smile.
    ''Oh, Lexy, that's a wonderful idea!'' Grammy claps her hands.
    Mum rolls her eyes.
    ''I don't know..'' I bite my lip. Alec's eyes flick to my lip and I release it.
    ''Come on. It'll be fun!''
    ''I think it would be fun, Lexy,'' Dad interjects. ''You used to love body boarding when you were little. You're too much of a city girl, it'll do you some good to get your hair wet.'' He winks at Grammy.
    Great. Now they're a team.
    I look at Mum for support and she shrugs helplessly.
    ''It's your choice, love.'' She gives me a small smile.
    I look at Alec. ''I'll go earlier with you, but I'm not surfing.''
    He sighs dramatically. ''I suppose that'll be okay.''
    I shoot him a playful glare and he half-smiles at me.
    Is it wrong that one dimple is way sexier than two?

    ~

    'I hate you, but I love you, I can't stop thinking of you. I don't know what to do, I'm stuck on you...'
    ''Shut up, Stacey Orrico, what do you know?'' I mutter and shut off iTunes.
    Alec's 4x4 pulls up outside the little cottage and I call a goodbye to my family. When I turn around he's in front of me.
    ''I hope there's a wetsuit in that bag.'' He takes it from me.
    I raise my eyebrows at him. ''I told you, I'm not surfing. I'll sit and look pretty while you do all the hard work.''
    ''I'm sure you will, but you are getting on a board today,'' he insists.
    ''I'm not a surfing kinda girl.''
    I'm vaguely aware of the fact I've barely stepped off the doorstep and my family can probably hear every word. Knowing Grammy, she's got her nose pressed up against the window and a glass to the wall.
    Enjoy the show, Gram, I think.
    ''Oh, no. I thought it over, if you're coming with me, you're surfing,'' Alec insists.
    ''Then I've thought it over.'' I grab my bag. ''I'm not going with you.''
    I turn around and put my hand on the door handle.
    ''Wow,'' he breathes out and I know he's shaking his head.
    ''What?'' I glance at him over my shoulder.
    ''You really are a city girl, aren't you?''
    ''What?''
    ''Have you ever seen the world outside London?''
    I snort. ''Of course I have, Alec.'' I gesture around me. ''I'm looking it at right now.''
    ''But have you really seen it? Have you ever really taken the time to look at anything besides skyscrapers, the walls of the underground and the inside of Harvey Nichols? The world is a beautiful place, Devon is a beautiful place, you just have to open your eyes and see it. There are so many amazing things out there waiting for you to discover them. Just open your heart to them.'' He starts walking backwards up the path towards his Jeep.
    ''And let me guess, surfing is one of these amazing things just waiting to be discovered by little ol' me?'' I ask sarcastically.
    ''As a matter of fact, yes.'' He reaches his car. ''You know, you can be so uptight sometimes..''

''Uptight?'' I cry.
    ''Every once in a while you gotta stop worrying, stop thinking and let go. Stop worrying if you have a hair out of place, or if you've chipped a nail. Hell, Lexy, you gotta have some fun in your life. Come with me, let me teach you to surf. Trust me, it'll be worth it.'' Alec opens the passenger side door and motions for me to get in.
    ''I don't..''
    ''Don't give me that 'I don't know' crap, Princess.'' His eyes bore into mine and for the first time, my heart flutters at the pet name.
    ''I hate it when you call me that.'' I lie through clenched teeth and kick the ground.
    ''I know.'' He winks. ''That's partly why I do it. You're not in London anymore. Croyde has the best waves in Devon. C'mon, Lexy.'' He smiles, showing me his dimples like he knows it's my weakness. ''Just once. Let go and try it, just once, and if you hate it I promise you never have to do it again.''
    I study him for a moment. His