Chapter 10 Illicit Obsession

• But of course, my attraction is completely inappropriate. Not only is he Mom’s ex-boyfriend, and more than twice my age, but he’s also kind of an asshole. He’s not mean, don’t get me wrong. After all, he let me continue living here after Mom moved out so I could finish high school. But even after I graduated a couple months ago, he didn’t kick me out. Instead, I’m working retail at a beauty supply store called Mickey’s, and yet Brad still hasn’t asked me to leave. So he’s not a cruel person by any means. He’s just arrogant, cold, and standoff-ish, and doesn’t really pay much attention to me. And honestly, that only makes memoreintrigued.
• But there’s another reason why it’s inappropriate for me to have the hots for Brad: it’s because he has way more experience than me.Waymore. I’m not a virgin, but I’ve been with a few guys in my life. Having gone to an all-girls school, St. Mary’s here in Montclair, I didn’t get a lot of exposure to men or dating on a regular basis. Besides, the guys I went out with don’t even compare to my mom’s ex. They were boys who weighed a hundred fifty soaking wet, while Brad’s a man. Maybe that’s why I can’t help but secretly ogle my mom’s ex when he walks around without a shirt on, or when he’s about to go out to some party or other and he’s dressed to the nines. Especially now that Janice is gone, the attraction rages stronger than ever. After all, I’m an adult woman with needs. But of course, the alpha male hardly notices my existence. I think he sees me as just some kid who’s living under his roof until she gets her shit together.
• I sigh, scooping little spoonfuls of frozen deliciousness into my mouth. I’ve stopped paying attention to my book. It’s so quiet in the house that I can’t help but wonder what Brad’s up to tonight. I know he’s home because his black sedan was parked in the driveway when I got home from work. And yet in the few hours that have passed since then, there hasn’t been a single peep.