Page 95 of Magic or Madness

I gather a few more shells before Ozzy catches me walking back to him and nearly jumps off the blanket to reach me.

His hair is drying, the frizz in his curls coming back, and his skin is literally sun-kissed, making him look irresistible.

I notice a few girls on the beach looking his way, smiling and whispering, presumably admiring his body, and a devilish thought takes over. I latch my arms around his neck, placing a deep kiss on his lips, and digging my nails into his shoulders – marking him asmine.

He moans between my lips, lifting me off the ground and placing his palms on my ass while my legs latch around his waist.

“Don’t start something you can’t finish, Bambi,” he whispers, pulling his lips off mine for a split second.

“I didn’t like how those girls were staring at you,” I confess, and he smiles, kissing me again, but spinning us around so my back is to them.

He drops kisses along my jawline, trailing down my neck, swirling his tongue over the delicate flesh and leaving goosebumps all over my body.

“I think they know who I belong to, now,” he says, placing me back on the sand, my world spinning after that show.

He takes my shells, and my hand, leading me back to the blanket.

“Did you girls have fun?” Oliver teases, and my cheeks flush with embarrassment.

“Shut up, Oliver. Fallon and I had a nice conversation,” Cami defends, winking at me, and only slightly easing my uncertainty.

“Sounds fucking hot. Can I watch next time?” He jokes, and she elbows him right in the stomach, effectively ending that line of questioning.

“One more word out of you, and I won’t even let you watch me breathe,” she says confidently, which shuts Oliver up instantly.

“As much fun as this has been,” Ozzy interjects, standing and gesturing between the four of us, “we have dinner reservations.”

He holds his hand out for me and we say our goodbyes, promising to meet back at the house later on.

“Jesus, does everyone know about me and Cami?” I mutter, shaking my head out of pure disbelief.

I should’ve known there wouldn’t be privacy being part of a group of eight, but some discretion would be nice, or even appreciated.

“He knows her, that’s all. Cami is … promiscuous. She wouldn’t hesitate to be with you, even if Oliver had a problem with it. Fidelity isn’t either of their strong points,” he laughs, but it only adds to the uneasiness I feel about this situation.

“Well, I think we left things in a friendly place, and she apologized for what happened this morning. Nothing left for anyone to speculate about,” I say, my words coming out harsher than I want as I slip my sandals on, protecting my feet once we reach the pavement.

“But?”

“But what?” I raise my eyebrow, knowing it’s no use against his mind-reading powers. “But, we agreed that we’ve both felt something happening between us.”

He breaks out into a shit-eating grin, and I roll my eyes in response. God, why does this feel like such a big deal?

I’d rather exploremyside of this without it becoming a spectacle, or something that could define me. If I do end up kissing Cami, or any other girl, I want to do it on my terms, when I’m comfortable with it. Not because my boyfriend encourages it, or someone else finds it hot, that’s not how I want to find myself — by living up to the expectations of others.

My sexuality has never been a question until now, but it ismine, and I will take the steps at my own pace when I feel the timing is right, with the right person.

“I’m sorry, Bambi. I didn’t mean to upset you, we don’t have to talk about it,” Ozzy says softly, holding my hand tighter while we follow the sidewalk back to the rental.

“I’m not upset, I just don’t like to be made into anyone’s entertainment. If I like girls — or just Cami — it’s for me, not everyone else. And I would like to talk about it with you, but not if it becomes something you laugh about, or find amusement in. It’s confusing as fuck, Ozzy! Some of these feelings or reactions are ones I thought were reserved for you, but now? I have no fucking idea.” I realize I’m crying, and my breathing is intensifying, the raw emotions pouring out of me.

“Fuck, Fallon. Come here,” he whispers, pulling me into his arms in the middle of the street.

The tears flow faster, the emotional toll of my confusion finally breaking and sweeping me under like a rip current.

I can’t figure out which way is up, down, or sideways, but I’m trying like hell to tread back into safe waters.

“You are not a joke to me. Your feelings, curiosities, and confusion are valid, and I will support you in anything. Anything, Fallon. You’re my beautiful girl, my Bambi, and I’d never find amusement in a single thing that could make you feel the weight of the world, like this is doing to you. Whatever you need, I’m here for you, do you understand me?” His arms actas my cocoon, sheltering me from the outside world as I work through the shit I’ve been through since arriving in Florida.

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