Obsession

Chapter 23

My leg bounces up and down anxiously while I watch for any kind of sign that we're getting closer to our destination. We've probably only been in the car for less than ten minutes, but the tension makes it feel more like hours.

I glance over at Leo and sigh. He looks so awkward and nervous. Tonight was supposed to be fun, but thanks to my unwanted chaperone, it's anything but that.

Dad sits between Anna and Rue in the back seat, smiling smugly with his arms crossed over his chest. Rue has been busying herself with her phone, but I keep catching Anna stealing glances at my dad, making small talk to try and make this ride less awkward.

It's not working.

"So Leo, how did you meet my daughter?" dad asks after a long period of silence.

Leo clears his throat and shifts around uncomfortably. "Well, um...I...we..."

"We're entering a dance competition together," I answer for him. "We've been working on a routine for the past month."

"You're a dancer?" dad asks Leo in an offensively condescending tone.

Leo's face turns red.

"Yes, dad. He's a dancer. He's one of the best I've ever seen," I says, narrowing my eyes at him. "He's taught me a lot in the little time we've been working together."

"And I guess you're earning a degree in dancing?" dad chuckles, making me face palm.

"Civil engineering, actually," Leo replies, glancing up at him through the rear-view mirror.

"Hm, that's impressive," dad says, nodding in approval.

I look at Leo and smile. He glances at me out of the corner of his eye and sighs in relief.

"Leo is actually one of the smartest people in our class," Anna chimes in. "And he tutors elementary kids from the inner city schools twice a week."

"You do?" I ask, looking over at Leo. "I didn't know that."

He looks back at me and shrugs, smiling nervously.

"He's a black belt in Taekwando too, so he'll be pretty handy to have around on campus while Mara's dealing with her stalker ex-boyfriend," Rue adds.

"Taekwando, huh?" dad asks, leaning forward between mine and Leo's seats. "I'm a black belt myself. Maybe we should spar sometime."

Leo's eyes widen and his mouth opens and closes wordlessly for a few seconds until he's finally able to stutter out a response. "I-I...I don't really do that kind of stuff anymore."

"Why don't we talk about something else," I suggest, turning to my dad. "Dad, why don't you tell us about that time you survived a helicopter crash?"

His eyes light up and he sinks back into his seat with a smile on his face. This is his favorite story, one that he's told thousands of times to anyone that will listen. "Okay. So I was flying over Brazil, right?"

While he goes on and on with his story, fascinating Anna and boring Rue to tears, Leo looks over at me and gives me a grateful smile. He hesitantly reaches for my hand and I gladly oblige, lacing our fingers together.

It's pretty obvious my dad senses something is going on between Leo and me. He wouldn't be giving him such a hard time if he didn't. So why hide it anymore? Everyone in this car knows this is bound to happen sooner or later.

We arrive at the beach just as the sun is starting to set. It's a warm evening with a light sea breeze blowing in from the ocean. There's not a lot of people out, so it's much quieter than it was the last time we were here.