A Ilha do Amor Teaser

I darted toward Alice’s villa. Letting myself into her villa, I found my sister curled up on the couch and clutching a stuffed horse, sleeping fitfully. Sitting down on her cocktail table, I gently shook my sister. “Ali! Wake up,” I hissed.

She blinked at me sleepily, waving at me. “Go away, Eddurrrrd,” she slurred.

“Alice, are you drunk?” I asked, shocked at her behavior.

“Maybe,” she giggled, then hiccupped. “Shoo. You’re ruining my buzz.”

I pursed my lips. This wasn’t my sister. This was me. A year ago. The reflection of my former body shocked me to the core and I refused to let my sister fall down the same path as me. Tearing the blanket from her body, I scooped my sibling into my arms and carried her toward her bathroom. She started pounding on my back, screaming like a yeti. Unceremoniously, I dumped her in the shower and turned the water on. “EDWARD! WHAT THE FUCK?!”

“You shower and sober up,” I growled. “When you’re done, I’m talking and you’re listening. This…whatever this is…needs to stop!” Alice glowered at me balefully. I turned on my heel and pulled out my cell phone. I left a message with Eleazar. He was the one who got me into a treatment program when I was on a drug binge in college. I asked him to call me as soon as he got my message but explained that Alice would be on the next flight out to Palm Springs after my wedding. Then, using Alice’s computer, I booked her ticket and arranged transportation to Eleazar’s home upon her arrival. That tidbit would be finalized once I spoke with Eleazar, but at least I had a reservation for my sister.

Stomping back into the living room, Alice plopped down on the couch, a scowl still etched on her face. “Don’t look at me in that tone of voice, Mary Alice. We’ve all been patient. We’ve all tried to give you the space you need and attempted to bow to your controlling will, but something’s got to give. Seeing you like this is like looking in a fucking mirror. Is this how I appeared to everyone when I was in my slut phase?” She opened her mouth, but I held up my hand. “I know it was. I’m doing what everyone should done for me a decade ago. You’re getting help, Alice. Obviously, you tried to work it out on your own but it’s not working. In fact, it’s getting worse.”

“Says the man who had a woman try and pin a pregnancy on you,” she spat bitterly. “Your whoring came back and bit you in the ass.”

“ENOUGH!” I snarled. “Bella’s forgiven me. Dad was on my side. It’s a chapter in my story that is over and done with. Just because I was able to put my past behind me, does not mean you get to treat me like shit. In order for you to get over this encounter with James, which happened two months ago, you are getting help. Period.” Alice rolled her eyes. “You are leaving the same day that Bella and I are going on our honeymoon to go to Palm Springs to work with Eleazar.”

“I can’t! What about the resort?” she screamed, shooting up from her seat.

“We’ll handle it. Alice, we’ll handle it. You’re hurting and in return, hurting everyone around you. Have you once looked at Jasper? Have you seen how he’s watching out for you?” I asked, my face softening. She sat back down, tears filling her eyes. “Alice, I’m doing this because I love you and I hate to see my baby sister in pain. I do not want you to go down the same destructive path that I did. It nearly cost me the love of my life.” I got up and sat next to her, taking her hand gingerly. “You need to talk this out. What’s happening now is going to kill you, Ali. I know the feeling.”

“Kay,” she said meekly, leaning her head against my shoulder. Letting out a shuddering sigh, she threaded her fingers with mine. “I’m jealous.”

“Of what?”

“All of the happiness. You have Bella. Emmett has Rose and Caitlyn. Mom has Dad and because of my fucked up mind, I have no one. I can’t bear to have anyone touch me. The nightmares are too much and the only way I don’t have them is if I drink myself stupid. I do need help, but my obligation to the resort and filling in for you was my deterrent in not getting any,” she explained.

“Well, that’s bullshit. The resort will not go anywhere. I learned that when I flew to Seattle to be with Bella. Was it the same way that I left it? No, but we made it better. Maybe a fresh set of eyes will continue our vision,” I said, hugging my sister. “Make it even more awesome!” I kissed her damp hair. “I love you, Ali. I want my sister back. The one who believed in me once I got my head out of my ass. The one who brought me Bella.”

“I’ll try,” Alice said, her voice quiet and contemplative.

“Good. Now, why don’t you start packing and then go all wedding Nazi at the reception site. They were hanging indigo bunting, not iris colored,” I said.

“Oh, hell no!” she growled, running out of her villa.