Obsession by Brooke Page Page A

my
thoughts.
    He casually laid back on the blanket,
making himself a pillow with his forearms. “I’m from Miami
originally. I grew up with my grandparents. My dad died when I was
seven, and my mother isn’t really around.”
    The awkward silence filled the space
between us, causing my legs to draw to my chest, wrapping my arms
protectively around them. “I’m sorry. Do you ever see your
mom?”
    He sighed, moving so he was on his
side. “Sometimes. She’s in an institution. My grandfather
encourages me to visit but, it’s… hard.”
    My eyes scrunched. “Hard?”
    Rod pulled his glasses from his head,
his blue eyes dull as they looked into mine. “Let’s just say she’s
lived in a padded room most of her life.”
    I cocked my head, pity filling me for
a boy who lost his family at such a young age.
    “Don’t look at me like that.” His
voice was low and defensive.
    My eyes darted to my fidgety toes. “I
can’t imagine not having my family. They mean everything to
me.”
    “I thought I meant everything to
you?”
    “I care about you a lot, you know
that,” I whispered, feeling a flush run up my neck. “But I’m sure
you’d feel lost if something happened to your grandfather. What
about your grandmother?”
    “She died a few years back.” His arm
reached for my wrist, pulling my attention from my feet to his
stormy eyes. “I do care for my grandfather, but you’re my world,
Jamie.”
    I gulped, feeling exposed by his
stare. His words made me feel like a sappy teenage girl in love,
but deep down they were frightening as well. My hand moved to his
cheek, cradling his firm jaw as he clenched his teeth.
    “You’re intense.” I smiled, trying to
lighten the mood with a joke.
    Rod sat up, both his hands reaching
for my jaw, his thumbs brushing down my chin to my neck. It was
uncomfortable, especially the way his eyes burned into mine. “I
love you as much as the air we breathe. Don’t ever forget
that.”
    His hands moved down my jaw to my
neck, possessively massaging. I didn’t like it, so my hands found
his wrists, gripping them so he’d release me.
     
    “I love you too, Rod. I just want to
know more about you. We never talk … Please don’t be angry.” His
eyes closed briefly, then his hands softened on my neck. I guided
his hands into the sand, my nostrils inhaling a breath of
ease.
    “Let’s go for a swim.”
    I watched him stand, all emotion
dropping from his face in his movements. Hesitantly, I followed,
hoping his mood would lift after the swim.
    By the time I caught up with him, I
was waist deep, the cool water, startling me with each step I took.
Rod turned with a smirk, his hand scooping the water and tossing it
at me. I squealed from the sudden sting of the salty ocean
water.
    “Rod!” I giggled, holding my hands
over my face.
    His arms were around me now. “It’s
best to just go under.”
    We dipped low, water taking over my
senses and consuming me. I gasped when he brought us back above
water, wiping my eyes and smiling at his playfulness.
    “Thanks for coming with me today,” he
said softly, kissing my nose.
    My heart fluttered as my smile
broadened from his gentleness, happy his mood had
shifted.
     
     
     
    ***
     
    “ I’m going to use the
restroom before we leave.”
    Rod nodded as he watched me. “Put your
tank top and skirt on before you go,” he commanded while packing
our things.
    I squinted at him, unsure why it
mattered. Quickly putting on my skirt, I grabbed my tank, carrying
it with me as I walked toward the bathhouse.
    “Jamie Rae! ”
    I froze, realizing someone recognized
me when I didn’t want to be seen. The voice belonged to Kevin, my
older brother’s friend. My eyes searched the group he was with, and
thankfully Landon was nowhere to be seen.
    “Hey there, cutie pie, what are you
doing at this beach?” he questioned, his eyes hazy from drinking,
and most likely other substances. His arm moved around my neck,
pulling me to his side as we walked