Schoolgirl Crush

 

 

Brandt took me to a large rock mound where one end reached into the ocean and the other rested on the beach. We climbed up the mound and perched ourselves on the tip overlooking the ocean.

"I like how peaceful it is here," I said, more to myself than him.

"I moved here a little less than a year ago. I needed some quiet," he offered.

"Oh, yeah? Stressful job?"

"Not really. I own an online surf and skate company with my stepbrother. It was pretty stressful a few years ago when we launched, but it pretty much runs itself now."

"That's good. Congratulations. It must be awesome being your own boss." I was trying to keep the dialogue light because I knew the reason for his move here probably had something to do with the girl I reminded him of. "You don't seem to want to know very much about me."

He looked at me curiously, his brow arching gracefully, revealing the splendor of his features. "Now why would you say that?"

"Because you haven't asked me anything, not even my name."

He laughed. It was actually more like a seductive chuckle, and it made my body shiver with excitement as the octaves of his voice raised and lowered.

"I know your name, silly."

I instantly perked up. "You do?" I was excitedly hopeful that he had insight into my identity.

"Of course."

I couldn't help but smile from ear to ear.

"You're Freckles." He winked and nudged me playfully.

My smile lowered a bit in disappointment. I really thought he knew me. "Grady?" I asked.

"Don't sound so disappointed. I like that name."

I would agree if it were a term of endearment to substitute my actual name, but it wasn't. It was the only name I had. "It's cute," I agreed. "How do you know Grady?"

"He's my stepbrother."

His random pop-ins made complete sense now. Grady had told him about me, and he was babysitting. Here I thought it was because he liked seeing me. "Oh." I tried hard to mask the despondent undertones in my voice, but I just wasn't good at façades.

"Look, can I be honest?" he asked carefully.

"Please." I swallowed hard.

"I enjoy your company. Grady didn't ask me to look after you—which I'm sure that look a moment ago was all about—I wanted to."

My disappointment was lifting, and the little schoolgirl tickle under my rib cage returned. His smile was candid, but there was so much hurt hidden in the look he gave me that it had me spinning with conflicted vibes.

"Did he tell you about me?"

He peered at his shoes. "I'm sorry. It must be hard not knowing who you are."

"You know what the hardest part is? That it seems as if no one is looking for me." I choked back the words.

I hadn't allowed myself to admit it, but there it was. I was in that hospital bed for over a month, and not one person claimed to know me. Isn’t that one of the first places someone would look for a missing person?

"I'm sorry, but you're not alone, okay? You have Grady and me now. I know we aren't much, but we're something."

He rested his hand on my knee, sending shockwaves throughout my body. I closed my eyes and tried to focus on breathing as my body released a wave of shudders.

"I'm sorry." Brandt withdrew his hand quickly.

The waves crashed loudly against the rocks below our feet and the sea gulls squawked as they soared overhead.

"We should go back,” he said when I remained silent.

"Yeah," was all I could say because a mix of emotions had rolled through me when he touched me and I was having a hard time understanding them. I was elated, but sad.

He helped me off the rock, careful with how much he touched me now, and then led me back up the cliff.

"Thank you. I don't know why you guys are helping me, but you're right. I don't have anyone else right now, but I do have you guys."

"Do me a favor, though, Freckles. You are a little trusting with us, so maybe be more cautious."

"Are you saying I should padlock my doors and sleep with one eye open?" I teased.

"Yes."

"Well, the fact your brother is a regular volunteer at the hospital, and everyone seemed to know and love him, and they let him take me home spoke volumes to my psycho killer meter, if that makes you feel better."

He erupted into a heartfelt laugh that made me want to leap into his arms, wrap my legs around his waist, and plant a kiss on his mouth. I had so many feelings for Brandt and we had just met, which told me my feelings couldn’t be trusted. It wasn’t normal and the insta-love, like, or whatever, was making me super uncomfortable.

"That does give me some comfort. Thank you.” He smiled.

The silence drifted between us as he stood with his hands firmly in his jeans pockets, rocking on his feet, and I twisted my hair absentmindedly.

"Do you want to come in? I mean, it's practically your house." My invitation hung with a question mark of hesitation. I wasn't sure if I wanted to invite him inside, but I wasn't sure I didn't want to invite him either.

"Actually, I have to get going. Grady and I have a business dinner."

"Oh, okay then." I nervously brushed my foot back and forth in front of me.

"Do you want to come?" His question raised a few octaves near the end.

"Really? That would be awesome. I've been feeling…"

"Island fever?" he finished.

"Yeah, kind of. Only we aren't on an island." I laughed.

"But, we do have an ocean."

"Yes, that we do." He rubbed the back of his neck again.

The conversation was getting awkward again as we tried to make small talk.

"Do I have a few minutes to change?" I wasn’t exactly dressed for a dinner out.

"Yeah, I'm just going to run home and get the car. I'll be back in fifteen."

"Sounds great. I'll be ready." I was fighting to hide the giddiness in my voice.

"See you in a few," he said as he jogged out of sight.

I rushed inside and rifled through the clothes that Grady had bought for me on the way home from the hospital. My wardrobe consisted of a couple of shirts, a casual dress, and two pairs of jeans. I sighed deeply. I really needed to get a job soon.

I couldn't decide between jeans and a shirt, or the sundress. I wanted to look nice, and the dress was really cute but still casual. It was white with a faint grey and pink embroidered floral pattern on it, and the spaghetti straps added a touch of sexy. Did I want to come off as sexy? Maybe. I smiled.

I yanked the sundress from the hanger, causing the hanger to spin and fall to the floor. I pulled off my shirt and jeans and slipped into the dress and then rushed to the bathroom to look myself over. The dress looked nice, but my bra straps didn’t, so I unclasped my bra and slipped it off, tossing it behind me into the bedroom.

"Nice."

I jumped, clasping my palpitating chest. I turned to find Brandt standing in front of the bed with my bra hanging over his head. He slowly peeled it off and dangled it from a finger. I covered my mouth, somewhat embarrassed. "You and your brother have serious privacy issues."

As he spun the bra in the air, he wittily replied, "To be fair, you did say it was practically my house, too." He seduced me with his deep dimples and tossed my bra onto the bed. "Are you ready to go?"

"Almost."

"I'll wait for you in the kitchen." He smiled as he closed the door on his way out.

I didn't know what it was about him, but I always seemed to be holding my breath in his presence. I took the pins out of my hair and brushed through it quickly. Being in a bun all day had given my hair a sassy kink, perfect with the dress and the frisky feeling sizzling through my veins. Again, no makeup, so natural would have to suffice.

Tonight was going to be interesting.

Brandt drove a super nice car. And I mean very nice. It was a dark silver, sleek Jaguar and it looked brand new. His company must be doing really well. As if I wasn't already feeling highly self-aware of my stray status, this just catapulted me into complete apprehension.

He opened the driver's side door. "Want to drive it?"

Dumfounded was the word for the moment. "Ummm, really?"

"You're almost salivating, so I thought maybe you were into cars."

I was definitely in awe. "Sure. What the hell."

I started to skip over and then remembered I wasn't wearing a bra, so I slowed my pace. I think he noticed, because he started chuckling under his breath. When I reached him, I hit him jokingly, making him quite aware that I caught his laugh. He grabbed my arm gently, making my insides shiver from my head to my toes. He caressed the inside of my wrist with his thumb, burning trails of desire. My heart was beating harder now as I tried to keep my breathing steady so he didn't notice the effect he was having on me.

"Do you remember how to drive?" he asked slowly, dragging out the syllables.

"It's like riding a bike, right? My instincts should kick in.”

"I hope so, or we might be in trouble," he said seductively.

Oh, we were in trouble, all right. Just a different kind.

I slipped into the seat, covering my chest shyly as Brandt stood above me, leaning over the door. I caught a glimpse of his mischievous grin just before he looked away. I liked having his attention. The hem of my dress had inched up dangerously close to my bottom when I slipped in the driver’s seat, so I pulled it down, hiding a blush, as I lifted my leg inside. He lingered in the doorframe for another moment before closing it and sliding into the passenger side.

"You ready?" I asked with a raised eyebrow and a tickle in my chest.

"Are you?" he asked smoothly.

I didn't answer him, but yeah, I was ready. I turned the key and revved the ignition. I easily moved the stick into reverse and rolled us out of the driveway.

We were the last house on a very long, narrow road parallel to the ocean cliffs. The sun had just set, and the sky was lit up softly with twilight. My hands shifted the gears easily as my feet worked the pedals.

"Like riding a bike," he murmured under his breath.

His words raised goose bumps on my arms. I sneaked a quick glance over to him and caught the reflection of a tortured soul in the window. I sighed to myself, wondering what happened to him that haunted him so much. We were both working through unimaginable things, which elevated the stakes of our friendship and possibly contributed to the intensity of our immediate attraction.

We needed each other.

"Turn right just ahead." He pointed.

"Where are we going?" I inquired.

"Our favorite spot." He smiled.

"Are you sure I'm not intruding?"

"I texted Grady. He thought it was a great idea."

"He's sweet. You both are. Thank you."

He reached over and rested his arm on the center console, and I couldn’t help craving his touch. And I might have been brave enough to put my hand in his if this were an automatic.

I turned, and we drove through the carved-out mountain pass, descending as we wrapped around sharp curves. I downshifted effortlessly, completely aware of Brandt's enjoyment from me driving his car. He was sweet, and I had a feeling there was something raw and sensually dangerous about this man.

"Turn left onto the highway.”

The traffic was light as only a few cars rushed by on the evening commute home, probably to their kids sitting at dinner. "I don't have kids," I blurted out eagerly.

Brandt chuckled as he said, "Okay?"

"Sorry. That was weird, but I remember. Well, I don't actually remember, but I can feel it. That I don't have kids."

"That's good, right?"

"Yes. Yes, it's good," I replied excitedly. Maybe too excitedly, guessing from his expression. "Not that I don't want kids. I do, but it would just be really sad if they were without me." This was the longest red light in history. I shifted in my seat uncomfortably, realizing I just told him I wanted kids. How many more reasons could I give him to run the other direction?

"I'm glad your non-existent children aren't without you," he said sweetly.

And there was that endearing smile again. A horn honked loudly, pulling me from his enchantment. I shifted into first and made the turn, blushing red from the impatience of the person behind me.

"That's the restaurant, just ahead on the right.”

I pulled into the parking lot, admiring the restaurant's simple architectural lines and sleek, modern design. It was located right on a white sandy beach overlooking the Pacific Ocean. "It's beautiful."

Brandt got out of the car and came around to my side, opening my door, but it was Grady's hand that reached for me. I took it without hesitation and let him help me out of the car.

"You look stunning." Grady smiled.

"Hands off," Brandt joked as he pushed him aside and interlaced my arm in his.

I pulled my hand back slowly. "Actually, would you mind if I spoke with Grady for a minute?"

"Not at all. I'll get us a table." He strolled across the parking lot and into the restaurant.

"What's up?" Grady asked casually.

"That, with Brandt…" I just needed to say it, but it felt like I was cheating on Grady, which was completely ridiculous.

"Don't worry about it, Freckles. I'm taken." He winked.

I felt stupid and kind of narcissistic to automatically assume he was interested in me. "Oh, okay. Good then, because this would have been super awkward." I snorted and then covered my mouth in surprise.

Grady chuckled. "He's a good guy, Freckles, and I'm not just saying that because he's my brother. Come on." He put his elbow out for me, so I intertwined my arm in it and cuddled on his shoulder as we started to walk.

"Wait!" I said suddenly, stopping.

"What?"

"Is this okay with your girlfriend?" I felt guilty for touching him, even if it wasn't in that way.

"It's fine. She's not here. Besides, if she saw the way you looked at Brandt, she wouldn't think twice about us being alone together," he teased.

"That obvious?" I asked as we started walking again.

"Yeah, but Brandt isn't one to play games, so it's good. You can trust him. With anything,” he emphasized.

Before he opened the restaurant door, he added, "I'm serious, though. What I said about Brandt." His eyes and stern features reflected the serious tone in his voice.

"I know," I replied softly.