Page 85 of Obsession

“And you want me to throw dust at your artist, or what?”

He burst out laughing.

“Fuck, I’d forgotten how quickly you can make me laugh when I’m tense. No, Kath, I want you to model for me. What do you think?”

That left me completely speechless. I sat up on the bed.

“I think you don’t understand what the word ‘artist’ means.”

I could feel him rolling his eyes through the phone.

“Don’t start again. I may have met you late in life, but that doesn’t mean I don’t know who you are.”

I pursed my lips, slightly annoyed. Those were more or less the same words the principal had used.

“Fine, but I don’t think a washed-up dancer is going to give you much of a chance. I’m sure your stepfather knows much more important artists you could use.”

He mumbled something I couldn’t understand.

“It’s enough that he keeps reminding me about the record thing, I don’t want to ask him for help anymore. And I don’t want other artists, I want you. I have an absolutely brilliant idea that would suit you perfectly, and all I’m asking you for is a few hours in a studio.”

I bit my nail again and paced back and forth in my room.

“I don’t know, Adam; I don’t even look like a dancer anymore. I’d hate for you to fail because of me.”

“You’re perfect Kath, just what I need. Please.”

What was I supposed to say?No, I don’t want you to take pictures of me that would probably help your career because I’m a traumatized freak who starts crying like a madwoman when she dances?

He was my friend; he had often been like an older brother to me and had helped me out of many dangerous situations. I had known him for less than a year, but it felt like much longer.

I took a deep breath.

“Okay, I’ll try, but I can’t promise I’ll be what you want me to be. I haven’t practiced in a long time and I’m a bit rusty.”

“Think you can still put your foot on my shoulder?”

I started to laugh.

“Without a doubt.”

He laughed too.

“That’s all I need. Even though I am not going to make you do exactly that, don’t worry.”

That brought an uninvited guest into my thoughts, and my skin started to prickle at the uncomfortable feeling he triggered. I remembered Harris’s reaction when I put my foot on his shoulder, and what happened afterward. I shook my head.

“I know your pain, Kath, and you have no idea how much this means to me, I promise I won’t ask you to dance. It’s not the first time I’ve photographed you, and I already know your angles.”

I giggled and rolled my eyes.

“And you forgot how much that annoyed me.”

A strained laugh escaped him, and there was something strange about his tone, too. He seemed much more exhausted than he wanted to let on.

“Do you think you could be free in about two weeks? I’ll take care of everything; you just need a few hours to spare.”

I tried not to think about my father’s reaction to Adam’s visit because he knew who he was. But having managed to smuggle Harris into my kitchen without him finding out, I felt secure in my mission.

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