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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.
