The Space Between

Not Strong Enough To Say No

As I walked into the house, I wanted to cry. I said goodnight to the girls and headed toward my room. Nate was sleeping, thank god. I went into the bathroom and peeled off my dress. I turned on the shower and climbed in, in an attempt to wash away my indiscretion. I sank to the tiled floor and cried as the water pelted my skin. I felt so ashamed. I felt myself falling for Demi. Slowly but surely, the more she let me in, the more I wanted. There was just one complication. I was marrying her brother, and despite everything that had happened, I actually did love him.

I got out of the shower and wiped the condensation off the mirror. I barely recognized the woman staring back at me.

"Shit." I muttered when I saw the marks she had left behind.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I walked into Nate and I's room and climbed into bed. I ran my hands across his bare chest and he rolled over towards me. I kissed him softly and he started to wake.

"Hey baby." I whispered. "I missed you."

He responded by kissing me again, this time he was more urgent. I felt him roll on top of me and for a few moments, I had completely forgotten about what happened between Demi and I. He fell asleep on my chest. I laid there stroking his hair and back. He was one of the most amazing people I knew. I was lucky he wanted to marry me. I closed my eyes and drifted to sleep.

As I helped Connie prepare breakfast, I couldn't help but feel happy. Slowly but surely the family started to come into the kitchen. Shane was first, he was an early riser. He had a goody smile on his face as usual. Demi came down next. She looked like she hadn't slept. I frowned as she grabbed a glass, filled it three fourths of the way full of vodka, and then added orange juice.

"Demi!" Her mom scolded. "It's too early for that."

"I put orange juice in it Ma." She said smirking.

I couldn't help but laugh. "Wow." I said.

"Hey, as far as I'm concerned if you have orange juice with it, it's breakfast." She said as she took a long gulp of the liquid.

"I'm pretty sure you're what we like to refer to as an alcoholic." Shane said as he sat at the table and stirred his cup of coffee.

"It's all a matter of opinion." Demi said to him.

"Did you get any sleep?" I asked her.

"Not really. You?" She asked raising an eyebrow.

"Yes." I answered.

"Well I'm glad one of us can rest our..."

"Good morning!" Nate interrupted, cheerfully.

I was thankful he came down when he did. There's no telling what she was going to say. He walked over and kissed me. Demi rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.

"Morning." I smiled at him.

"Hey shithead." She said.

"Dem." He smiled.

I saw the guilt flicker in her eyes.

"Sorry about the marks I left baby." Nate said to me with a grin.

I shot Demi a glare as she laughed loud and obnoxiously. "This is awesome!" She said as she got up and stomped off.

"What the hell?" Shane asked, confused.

"I don't know." I answered sighing.

"It's all that damn booze she keeps drinking." Connie muttered. "I'm going to have her father talk to her about it."