Filed To Story: The Perfect Spiral Book PDF Free by Ashley Constantine
“You can let go of me, I’m fine,” I insist.
“No,” he whispers, his words brushing against my skin. “Stay away from Caleb,” he pleads, his eyes filled with sincerity and protectiveness.
“Why? It’s none of your business, Knox!” I retort, frustration bubbling up inside me. He steps back, locks the door behind us, and moves closer to me.
“Because he’ll use you, Alex! That’s why,” he sighs, running a hand through his hair. He bites his lower lip, and I have to resist the urge to do the same. Stop that.
“So? All guys use me. I’m used to it by now. Who would want me, right?” My voice starts to crack, the facade I’ve been maintaining finally crumbling.
Seeing Andy and my brother so happy has made me realize that no one will ever look at me like that.
“Alex, stop saying that! Just stop! I’m serious.”
“No, Knox! No! Drew used me, you even used me-
“Don’t you dare say
I used you! I didn’t use you, Al-“
“Then what did I do wrong? What the fuck did I do wrong, Knox? Huh? Am I not pretty enough? Am I too awkward? Am I not skinny enough? What is it?
Why does everyone leave me? Why doesn’t anyone want to be with me?” I break down, burying my face in his chest. I feel so weak.
My shoulders shake as I cry on him. His arms wrap around me, pulling me closer.
“There’s nothing wrong with you, Alex. You’re perfect-“
“Not perfect enough to keep anyone around,” I sniff, bitterness lacing my words. I take a few deep breaths, trying to calm myself down. I wipe my cheeks and eyes, but I can’t bring myself to meet his gaze.
I can see our bare feet on the tiles. He pulls me closer, and I rest my cheek against his skin, turning my face away from his.
“You are perfect, Alex,” he repeats.
“If I’m so perfect, then why doesn’t anyone want to be with me?”
“I… I….”
“That’s what I thought.” I step away from his touch, but he takes my hands and steps closer.
His lips brush my cheek, lingering there for a moment. I lean into his touch, closing my eyes.
God, I miss this.
“I’m going to get cleaned up,” I say, reaching over to turn on the shower. I wait for it to heat up. He’s still here.
“Bye, Knox,” I say, staring at the door, hoping he’ll get the hint. I just want to be alone. After a few long seconds, he reaches for the door and opens it.
As he makes his exit, he tosses a comment over his shoulder, his muscles rippling with the movement. “You’re perfect, Alex.” The door closes behind him, leaving me alone in the silence. I let out a deep breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding.
“No more crying over a guy, Alex. It’s time to move on.” I murmur to myself, my voice echoing in the empty room.
I peel off my bikini, stepping into the shower and sliding the frosted doors shut behind me. I let the hot steam and water envelop me, soaking into my skin and providing a momentary escape from reality.
I rub my skin in a soothing rhythm, a small comfort against the persistent ache inside. This time, I need to pull myself together. I need to be strong for myself. No one else is going to pick you up, Alex. I remind myself. You’ve got to do it yourself.
“Alex, could you hand me the chopping board next to you?” Sam extends her hand towards me, her eyes fixed on the bright yellow chopping board resting on the counter beside me.
I slide it towards the edge, pick it up, and pass it to her. The kitchen is filled with the familiar chatter and laughter of the girls, all of us working together to prepare the meal. It feels like old times.
I’ve been doing much better, mentally. I’ve been seeing a therapist twice a week, and she’s been helping me navigate through the stormy seas of my mind when things get rough.
Today is a day I’ve been looking forward to. Ben is coming down for the wedding, and I can tell Hannah is just as excited as I am. I’m baking with Delilah, who’s finally teaching me how to make her famous cupcakes. After all these years, we’ve never had the time to properly make them together. Tonight, all of us girls are heading out in Atlanta for Sam’s bachelorette party, while the guys are going out for Tyson’s bachelor party.
The boys are outside, engaged in a game of beach football, while the girls watch them run around shirtless, their laughter filling the air.
“Tyson looks so hot right now…” Sam murmurs, her gaze fixed on the back door that’s wide open, offering us a perfect view. Well, a perfect view for Sam. I couldn’t care less.
I walk over to the cooler and toss her a water bottle. “Here, go cool him down,” I suggest with a wink. She smirks at me and saunters out the door towards the boys.
The waves in the distance catch my eye, and I glance over at Andy, who seems to be reading my mind.
We both dash down the steps to grab our boards from the shed. Once they’re tucked under our arms, we take off running down the beach towards the water, passing the guys on the way.
I stifle an eye roll when they pause their game to watch us. Andy bursts into laughter and stops running to look at them. “I can’t go anywhere with you without a ton of guys checking you out, Alex,” she giggles.
“Me? They’re not checking me out! They’re checking you out. Not me. Come on, let’s keep going. I came down here to surf,” I retort, and we continue our run towards the water.
As we approach the water, we start to strip down to our bikinis, ignoring the whistles that follow. I take off my SnapBack and place it next to our pile of clothing.
“Tease them a little, Alex, come on! It’ll be funny! I would, but Kyle would kill me,” Andy suggests, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
“And Kyle wouldn’t kill me?”
“I’ll protect you! Please, it’ll be hilarious to see their faces,” she pleads, giving me her best puppy dog eyes. I roll my eyes and bite my lip, considering her proposition.
Finally, I give in. “Fine, what do I do?”
She claps her hands together in delight. “Feel your way down your body, pretending you’re fixing your bikini. Pull up your bottoms a little to make your bottom look perky. Then, once you’re done, smack your ass with both hands and turn your head around to face them.”
I raise an eyebrow at her, and she pouts. “Are you sure you don’t want to do that?” I ask her, glancing at the boys who are still watching us.
“Nope! I’m good. Now’s your chance! Do it! Pretty please,” she pleads again. I look out at the horizon, then trail both hands softly down my body. I hear her giggle, which makes me laugh a little.
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On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.