Page 7 of A Hurt So Good

“You don’t seem to be the fashionista your mom is. Anything designer, and she has to have it,” he observes.

“I’m not. I’m not into flashy things. I do like to look at it, but wearing it? It’s not for me,” I laugh. Jarrod smiles as he steps closer to me.

“You know, your mom is away a lot.”

“Always has been,” I tell him. He reaches up and brushes a piece of hair away from my face as he smiles. His finger caresses my cheek, and I lose all train of thought. His cologne is an intoxicating scent, making my head spin.

“You don’t like it?”

“I do, actually. We don’t always get along that well,” I tell him. He keeps his fingers caressing my cheek as we stare at each other.

“She can be hard to get along with,” he adds. I nod, but I don’t know what else to say here. He’s … so close to me. And it’s my mom’s husband. I start to open my mouth, but his fingers slowly slip over, pressing against my lips.

“I want you to know I’m here for anything you need, Arya. Do you understand that?” Oh my God. He’s coming onto me. My breath catches in my throat as I slowly nod my head. “We’re all adults here.” Once more, I nod my head. Jarrod runs his finger along my bottom lip before biting his lip between his teeth. Then, as quickly as he came, he pulled away and left the room. I’m left standing here in shock. I don’t know what to do. Surely,I can’t tell my mom about this, not that she would believe me anyway.

When I was younger, I had one of her men come onto me, but a lot stronger than Jarrod just did. I told her about it, and she called me crazy and said I was overreacting.

Shaking myself back to reality, I turn and walk out of the library and down the large staircase. I turn down the next hall and continue toward the kitchen and then out the back door. The wind off the ocean is cool as I walk down the stairs and past the pool. I take the short walk to the beach, pull my shoes off, and step onto the sand. It’s been a while since I’ve been to the beach. Mom took me once when I was younger, and I went once a few years ago, but I forgot how much I enjoyed it.

“Beautiful, right?” I glance over to see who’s talking to me and see a blond guy standing behind me.

“Yeah, it is.”

“You should come out at night. When the moon’s high in the sky. It’s peaceful.” I nod my head and widen my eyes because I don’t know what this man wants or why he’s still here. We stand in an awkward silence before he speaks once more.

“I’m Cale.”

“Arya,” I say as he turns to face me now, offering his hand.

“That’s a unique name. I like it. You new here?”

“I just moved in with my mom and her new husband for a little while,” I tell him, not wanting to give him too much information.

“Nice. I live three houses down if you get bored. I have a sister probably around your age,” he adds. Does that make a difference?

“Uh, okay. I should get going,” I answer, hoping like hell that he’ll leave. But he doesn’t.

“I can walk you back,” he offers.

“I’m sure you’re a great guy and all, Cale, but it’s literally a few steps into the backyard,” I say, motioning behind me with my thumb. Cale looks past me and then nods his head.

“Point taken. If you’re up for it, and I’m not that creepy, there’s a bar not far from here. Medesto’s. We all hang out there at night if you want to come.” Did he just ask me out? Although the thought of getting out of this house does sound nice.

“What time?”

“Around eight.”

“Okay. I’ll probably see you there,” I tell him. Cale smiles and turns, nodding his head as he walks back down the beach. I’m not sure how I feel about that little encounter, but it couldn’t hurt to make some new friends while I’m here. It will give me something to do besides sit in this damn house.

I turn and head back toward the house when I catch a glimpse of Jarrod. He’s standing in the window of their bedroom, pulling his button-up shirt down his arms, and then he pulls his undershirt over his head and tosses it to the side. I stand here watching him in awe. I knew he was built under that shirt. He turns and gives me a clear view of his abs and chest. Damn. That man is built, and he knows it. I keep walking, tripping over apool float and nearly falling on my face, but I catch myself at the last minute.

“Are you okay?” I hear his voice floating over me like silk. I look up to see him standing outside on his balcony now.

“Yeah, I’m good!” I call back to him. I can’t look up at him now. I’m too damn embarrassed. Oh, who the hell am I kidding? I lift my head, and our eyes lock, and all the air leaves my lungs. That man is a tease. A massive flirt, so why the hell do I like it so much?

“You want to go for a swim?” he asks, nodding toward the pool. I debate it. I truly debate getting in the pool with that man, but I know how it would end. Or how it would possibly end, and I can’t do that to my mom.

“Actually, I was going to go down to Medesto’s if that’s okay.” Jarrod smiles and nods his head.

---