Page 14 of Obsessed with my Guardian

Brooks has a point. I wouldn’t have been all messed up for the past week if the idea of her and me was that crazy. And now she’s shifted into some type of lose-my-virginity race, I need to make it to the finish line before anyone else.

I wish I knew what happens after that point; I really do.

Not knowing messes me up inside even more.

But my resolve is like a well-oiled bullet train. It can’t be stopped.

I see a car, a blue pickup truck, parked by the driveway.

It’s not Mrs. Wilson’s car. She’s long gone by now.

Whose is it?

I go to the door, and as I enter and pass the foyer, I hear laughter and notes of some pop music in the background.

I stride faster, finding Eloise and a meathead laughing. They’re squatting on a white vinyl mat with blue, yellow, green, and red circles. A colorful spinner board lies next to it, and after Eloise touches it, she shifts her position on the mat. She’s now in a full doggie-style position, with the meathead below her, his right leg stretched out.

My blood boils like someone has injected a powerful drug in my vein and my body is violently rejecting it. Anger envelops me, and I curl my fingers into fists.

“Oh, hi, Reed,” Eloise says like it’s no big deal. When she tries to wave, she almost loses her balance and falls over the boy. “Oops. We’re playing Twister.”

Twister.

I’m about to punch his lights out. I stride toward them, stretching to my full height.

She doesn’t move from her position. “Jayden, this is Reed, my former guardian. Reed, meet Jayden. He won the state wrestling champion—”

Former guardian, my ass.Right now, I’m not former anything. I’m very much present. A resolve bursts inside me, fast-tracking all my cells. There’s no way this dude or anyone else will be her first. My blood pumps hot and thick in my veins. It’ll be me.Fuck it, it is me.

“Out,” I snap, tipping my head toward the entry door.

“What?” The guy squints, obviously confused.

Well, I’m happy to set this kid straight real soon.

Eloise finally slips away from him, bringing herself to a standing position. “What’s going on?”

“We need to chat. Your friend needs to leave,” I say, in a voice that leaves no room for argument.

Jayden, who has a movie-worthy idiotic face that matches his overly muscular body, stands and scratches his head. “Dude, what’s up? We were having fun.” He turns to Eloise. “I thought you said your uncle was cool.”

Uncle?A fresh wave of jealousy washes over me. “I’m not her fucking uncle.”

He lifts his hand in surrender. “Sorry, dude. Guardian, right? I’m Jayden, but my friends call me Jay.” He drops his hand and stretches it toward me.

I ignore his polite gesture. “Well,Jay, you need to leave now.”

I size him up. Yes, he has some impressive muscular mass, but I’m taller and bigger overall. I can take him down if need be and get this sleaze face out of the house.

He turns to look at Eloise.

She looks at me, lifting her chin. “Can’t you say whatever you’re going to say to me in front of Jayden?” A hint of annoyance coats her voice.

“No.” It’s not what I’m about tosaybut what I’m about todo.

Tension charges between us. My jaw clenches so hard that it almost gets locked into place permanently.

Eloise gives me a long once-over, then slowly turns to Jayden like she won’t be rushed. “Okay. Fine. Jayden, sorry. Raincheck?”

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