His Secret Obsession
Chapter 18

"I was just coming to get you." Carson said with a wide smile.

"You look like you bounced back pretty well considering your Friday night shenanigans." He narrowed his eyes, making me roll mine.

"What shenanigans Carson? You locked me in a room and I got a full eight hours of sleep." I smiled brightly and he laughed.

"Mhmm, it was necessary." He glanced over at me, walking down the stairs as I nudged him softly.

"Well..let's just say I won't be drinking again anytime soon." I mumbled, feeling sick just from the mere thought of alcohol.

"That's a good idea." He agreed, patting my back playfully.

"By the way, it seems like you and Jackie are pretty serious." I mentioned casually, peering over at him as I witnessed the corner of his mouth twitch.

"Do you like her Em? I really wanted you to meet her." He asked thoughtfully. Causing me to nod my head and smile.

"She seems like a really awesome person." I admitted while he beamed at me and nodded his head.

"I think I'm in love with the girl Em..I'm going to ask her to be my girlfriend. I just wanted you to meet her first." He confessed and I stopped, tugging his arm so he could stop with me.

"I am so happy for you Carson. Really, you deserve the best and Jackie has such a great and positive vibe to her." I approved, pulling him into a hug, feeling his large muscular arms wrap around me and hold me tight. Dang, Carson has really been bulking up. "You, your dad, and Jack..sometimes I feel like you guys are my family..like the only people that have really been there for me. I just want you to know Em, I love you. You are like my sister and so important to me. That's why I want the best for you too..because you deserve way beyond even that." His words hit me deep, to hear how much me and my family mean to him, it means so much because he is so important to me too.

The older Carson became, the more distant his family seemed to get. Carson and MacKenzie's parents would travel for months at a time. MacKenzie herself withdrawing and doing her own thing or going with them on occasion. Our family seemed to be the only stability Carson had in his life. I can honestly say I am closer to Carson now than I am with MacKenzie. We love Carson and I really hope he and Jackie work out because he really deserves it, more than anyone.

"Well, you are my family too Carson, and I am here for you no matter what. I love you." I hugged him tighter, my arms barely wrapping around his large torso. I felt so overwhelmed by his words that tears began welling up inside of me.

"And one more thing, if Ethan ever approaches you and tries to talk to you again, you need to call me right away." He added, causing me to look at him curiously.

"Why would he approach me?" I asked, feeling puzzled about the whole thing.

"Because he has been harassing people to try and get your number. He is bad news Em." He stared down at me seriously and I nodded my head. What was this guy's problem?

"Okay..good thing only you and MacKenzie have my number really." I laughed, knowing it would definitely be hard for him to replace my number..why was he even still interested? I found it odd and a little unsettling..

"Why is this guy so persistent?" I wondered out loud as we walked outside towards the garage.

"Because he saw how amazing you are obviously. Now he is practically obsessed with you. He actually showed up at the brunch..so it was a good thing you left." He clenched his jaw, looking towards the garage as my dad waved at him happily. "What?!" I gasped, completely surprised by this information.

"I will tell you about it later." He said nodding towards my dad and Uncle.

"Okay, sounds crazy." I muttered, walking up to my dad as he slapped Carson on the back affectionately.

"Thanks, bud for coming out to help." My dad said, walking into the garage with my Uncle. I always thought it was sweet how my dad called Carson bud and me bug..we were the only two he had a nickname for and I loved seeing the way Carson's eyes light up whenever my dad calls him that.

They started talking about Carson's upcoming season with basketball and when it starts. My dad has been to every single home game. We actually go together and make an event of it. Most times we even go out to eat at Sandy's afterward, even if there was an after party Carson always ate dinner with us first. Mack used to come with us but not anymore since she and Carson have grown distant. They started drifting apart when she turned sixteen..I guess they just annoy the hell out of each other.

In the past, Asher would come with us a couple of times too. I don't know what it is about my dad but teenage guys just seem to flock to him. Looking for some type of mentor or father figure in their lives. Both Carson and Asher were missing that. Carson's dad, Vince Prescott, was a big-shot lawyer. He played professional football for eight years and decided to get his law degree afterward. He specializes in representing athletes. He wanted Carson to continue basketball but I knew his heart wasn't in it. What Carson really loves is cars..but he is following in his dad's footsteps instead and is in the process of getting his law degree. After this year he will be moving on to law school..he doesn't seem too thrilled.

"Okay bug, you control the hoist and we will guide it to the stand." My dad said, handing me the controls that I have used so many times before.

I nodded my head and waited for them to hook up the engine as Carson looked down at the 54' Mustang with awe.

"Damn Mr. L, I don't know how you can let these cars go after fixing them." He laughed as my dad smiled and returned the laugh.

"Well, they are such a pain in my ass I'm ready to get them the hell out of here. Plus the money helps.." He chuckled.

"But I tell you what, after I get the radiator fixed we should take it out. Not many people can say they drove a 64' Mustang." He winked at Carson and Carson couldn't help but beam. He loved cars almost more than my dad. "Okay kid, ready to go." My uncle Jack said, prompting me to press the lift button.

I watched as they steadied the engine, guiding it over towards the stand, and waited for their instructions to lower it. My dad gave me the head nod and I lowered the hoist. After it made contact with the stand my dad unhooked it and connected the engine so it would be steady.

"Okay, that's good, thanks bug." My dad said nodding his head as he walked towards the car.

"Carson, come look at this. I want to show you how they installed the original parts." My dad said, pretty much dismissing me now. I couldn't help but laugh as all three of them stood above the car examining all of the nuts and bolts.

I knew Carson would be here most of the day, helping my dad out and drinking a few beers. That was their routine and then they would come in to eat and hang out some more.

I heard Carson and my dad laughing, the sound causing my heart to fill with happiness. The realization that I was pretty damn lucky hit me hard. I always felt like I was missing out on something, considering my mom was taken from us when I was so young. But now that I am old enough I know for a fact this life I have is pretty great. I am so grateful for my dad and uncle, they have done an amazing job and it doesn't stop just at me, I know Carson feels the same way.

I walked back into the house, and my phone ringing instantly snapped me out of my thoughts as I answered it quickly, seeing it was Mack.

"Hey Em." She said in her sweet and bubbly voice.

"Hey! You still up for getting together today?" I asked, remembering her mentioning something about lunch before.

"Well, I was thinking we could go into the city and do some shopping." She sounded a little off..

"Okay, yeah that could work. I have a morning shift at the bakery tomorrow but we won't be out that late right?" I asked, making it clear there would not be a repeat of Friday night.

"No of course not...well..I was thinking though, Craig could drive us and we can get our nails done and stuff." She said sweetly, of course..I should have known, she wanted Craig to go.

"Oh, okay yeah sure." I said nervously. I don't know why but I had a weird feeling about this..

"Great! We should dress up super cute too. Like, wear a dress or something." She said casually and I frowned.

"A dress Mack? Ugh, why.." I groaned, causing her to sigh.

"Come on Em, you have a ridiculously hot body now. It's time to show it off." I could almost hear the eye roll as I frowned.

"Fine, I will see what I have." I did not want to wear a dress..especially if we are walking all day.

"Yay! Okay, we will come pick you up in twenty." She added and I said goodbye.

I ran back outside, going into the garage as I saw Carson was now helping my dad take apart the engine.

"Hey Dad, Mack's going to pick me up in a little bit. She wants to go to the mall." I said, seeing him pop his head up over the car. Carson looked at me too and narrowed his eyes suspiciously and I just shrugged my shoulders. Not wanting to mention Craig whatsoever.

"Okay, make sure you keep your phone on you bug." I nodded and walked back towards the house. I quickly pulled my phone out, sending a message to Ronan.

Katina to Ronan74: Hey babe, I can't log on right now. My friend is picking me up to go to the mall.

I texted him swiftly and walked up into my room. Suddenly my phone began to ring with Ronan's username flashing on my screen.

"Hey baby." I said sweetly.

"Hey, you are going to the mall now?" He asked, his voice firm.

"Yeah, Mack, my friend I told you about wants to get our nails done and go shopping." I explained, walking towards my closet as I began to look through my clothes frowning.

"Is it just you two?" He sounded worried.

"Well..umm it was supposed to be, but the guy she likes is coming with us." I don't know why I felt guilty about saying this..not like I was bringing a guy.

"Call me on webcam." He said quickly and hung up.

I plugged my phone into the charger and walked over to my computer. Before I could even put my headset on he was calling me.

I answered the video call and looked at the screen nervously.

"Whose this guy that she's bringing?" He sounded mad..

"His name is Craig, they have kind of been seeing each other since the party I went to." I said hesitantly and heard him curse under his breath as soon as I said his name.

"Does Carson know about this?" He asked, confusing me..why was he asking if Carson knew? He must have saw my confusion because he began speaking again.

"I mean, he is her brother right? I just don't want you hanging out with any wierd guys." He added quickly and I nodded, looking down at my hands.

"I met him at the party before, he seems nice. They are really into each other and I don't think he would do anything to put her in any harm." I said, glancing up once again. "It's not her I'm worried about Emery." He sounded pissed.

"Are...are you mad at me?" I asked, biting my lip nervously.

Ronan let out a long sigh, obviously trying to calm himself down.

"No baby, I'm not mad at you, of course not." He whispered and guilt began to fill me..maybe it was hard to trust me now because of what I did with Asher..that must be what this is about.

"Ronan, I promise you are the only one I want..what happened before, I won't let that happen again. You are it for me..I swear." I said gently, looking into the camera to show I meant every word.

"I know baby, I trust you..before we weren't official yet so it's okay, really. I don't want you to feel guilty about that. I'm not worried about you doing anything, I'm worried about someone taking advantage of you." His words were soft and comforting, showing me he didn't hold any bad feelings about what happened a few days ago.

I nodded my head, looking up once more.

"I will keep my phone on me and Mack wouldn't put me in any danger. She is my best friend..if anything it will be nice to have someone to watch out for us. Just think of it like a bodyguard situation." I laughed, causing him to sigh once more.

"Where are you guys going exactly?" He still sounded worried but not as bad as before.

"The City Mall, its about an hour from here. We will probably be there for a few hours and then come back." I added and realized I needed to get dressed now.

"I have to get dressed though. They should be here in a few minutes." I said, turning in my chair slightly.

"Show me what you are going to wear baby, I want to see." He said with an eager tone.

I nodded my head smiling as I stood up quickly and walked to the closet. I thumbed through the options and decided on a pastel yellow dress I bought for spring this year. It had mid-length flowing sleeves and a v-neckline. It went down to my knees and was pretty loose-fitting. It was comfortable and cute, Mack made me buy it when we were shopping for one of her auditions.

"I want to see you put it on baby." I heard Ronan say as I couldn't help but roll my eyes and smile.

"Of course you do." I laughed, walking back in front of the camera.

I slowly took off my shirt and then my shorts and stopped before putting on the dress, realizing I should wear a white bra and panties so the black ones doesn't show through the fabric.

"Hold on babe, I need to change my bra." I said quickly, walking to my dresser that was visible on the camera.

"Damn baby, you are so fucking gorgeous." He breathed, causing me to look over my shoulder at him, my hair cascading down my back as I smiled softly at the camera.

"You flatter me." I laughed, turning and grabbing the white bra and panties.

"I could watch you all fucking day..you don't even understand how alluring you are." He groaned, I could tell he was getting worked up.

"Focus baby, we don't have time for this." I teased, making him sigh.

"Fine, but you owe me tonight." He said, making me nod my head and smile.

I quickly turned around, unhooking my bra and letting it fall to the ground, so only my bare back was visible.

"Baby, turn around." He whispered and I peeked over my shoulder, teasing him once more as I slipped out of my undies, only revealing my naked backside.

"Ronan, we both know what will happen if I turn around." I couldn't help but smirk at the camera, hearing his frustration.

My heart began to flutter, hearing his heavy breaths and groans. The way he begged me to turn around caused my center to pool with desire. I quickly slipped on my undies and then my bra, putting a stop to this show before I lose control. "You really are trying to kill me aren't you?" He said sadly, causing me to frown and walk closer to the camera.

"Don't say that baby, I just want you to be a good boy so my friend doesn't catch me touching my pussy for my boyfriend." I smiled even brighter.

"Fuck Emery." He shouted with frustration and I couldn't help but chuckle. I don't know where this flirty side of me was coming from but Ronan made me feel incredible. Like I was truly wanted and liked to hear him become frustrated for me. "Just think, in a few months you can have all of me in every way possible." I added while slipping on my dress and making sure the buttons didn't show any cleavage. I quickly pulled my hair out, letting it cascade down my shoulders. "Damn baby.." he said breathlessly as I stood in front of the camera.

"Does it look okay? It's not too revealing right? I never wear dresses." I frowned, trying to smooth out the dress.

"It's stunning..you're stunning." His voice was low and silky, the way he said this made a shiver run down my spine. I had never been called stunning before..to hear the guy I was falling for say this made my heart stop. I felt my cheeks warming as I couldn't help but look away. Feeling shy and exposed all of a sudden. The realization of how hard I was already falling for this guy made me nervous.

"You okay baby?" He asked softly. I nodded my head looking up at the camera as I bit my lip softly.

"I just..I have never felt this way about someone before." I admitted, intertwining my fingers together as I looked up, feeling bashful all of a sudden.

"Me either baby.." he spoke softly, his words making me blush harder as I couldn't help but smile.

"Now blow me a kiss so you can get going." He added, making me smile even wider as I blew him a kiss.

"Send me a picture of you in that dress too.." he added quickly making me laugh and nod my head.

"I will. Bye baby, I will text you in the car on the way." Why was I already so attached to Ronan? I felt like I was starting to miss him and he hadn't even hung up yet.

"Okay, I might not be able to respond for a little because I'm going to go out..to the gym..so I won't be able to text probably for an hour or so." He said and I frowned but nodded my head.

"Text me when you are done then." I said, waving goodbye and ending the call. I quickly walked to my bed and grabbed my phone. I took a quick picture of me in the dress and sent it to Ronan.

"Em Mack's here!" My uncle Jack yelled up the stairs and I quickly slipped on some strappy flat saddles and grabbed my black Steve Madden cross-body purse, slipping my phone inside.

I was bounding down the stairs when I ran outside.

"Whose the guy?" Uncle Jack asked, looking at me sideways.

I peeked into the car and saw Mack and Craig sitting in the front seat, staring at me.

"Craig, he is Mack's boyfriend thingy." I said glancing at my uncle nervously.

My uncle looked at me with his eyebrow raised as Mack must have sensed the tension because she came out of the car, walking towards me with her wedge sandals crunching in our gravel. She wore a short white jean skirt with a light blue top that had puffy sleeves and bared her midriff. Her hair was straight and hung perfectly behind her back. Model quality like always..my uncle couldn't help but scoff as I elbowed him in the ribs and glared at him.

"Em, you ready to go? Hey Jack, looking as hot as ever I see." She said with a sultry smile. She always hit on my uncle..since she was fourteen years old..yeah..I used to replace it was funny because of how uncomfortable my uncle would get but now it's just weird..because I know deep down if she had a chance..she would hook up with my Uncle in a heartbeat and it grosses me the hell out. Lucky for me my uncle actually despises Mack..he always has and I don't mind that one bit.

"Bring her back before dinner." That was all he said before hugging me and turning towards the garage. Knowing to stay as far away from MacKenzie Prescott as possible.

She watched him retreat, her eyes gleaming as I couldn't help but cross my arms and narrow my eyes at her.

"Are you done ogling my uncle so we can go?" I asked, making her blink and looked at me with a smirk, then she glanced behind me and noticed Carson's truck and her face dropped.

"Wait, Carson is here?" She asked quickly and I nodded.

"Shit, let's go before he sees us." She took my arm, grabbing me, and pulling me towards the car.

"He doesn't know yet?" I asked, glancing over at her and she smiled sheepishly. I let out a sigh and shook my head.

Mack slid into the front seat of Craig's blue Bronco and I went to slide into the back. My eyes widened when I peered towards the other side. I was met with brown eyes and a wide-smiling Ethan and my stomach dropped..I knew Mack was up to something, but this? Great..now what do I do?