Page 15 of When We Collide

After setting up our colourful beach mat and parasol for some much-needed shade, I turn my attention to DJ, who is nestledin his uncle’s strong arms. “Hey, can you put some sunscreen on his face and pull his hat down? I don't want him to burn,” I instruct Oscar and hold out the sunscreen to him.

“Pfft, please, he's a Reyes. We don't burn, we bronze,” Oscar replies with a laugh, lifting DJ in the air and smiling affectionately at him. “Isn't that right, little man?” I level him with a deadpan look, and he responds with a mischievous smirk before taking the sunscreen from me.

As he applies the cream to DJ's cheeks, nose, and forehead, he jokes, “Uh oh, see that look your mummy is giving me right now bud? That's her signature 'I will kill you' look. You better get used to it because you'll be seeing it a lot as you grow up.” The playful banter between Uncle and nephew brings a smile to my face as I watch them interact with each other. Lifting my vest, I take it off leaving me in my baby pink bikini top and playfully throw the vest at him. Oscar laughs as he pulls it off his head, lowers his shades and looks up at me with that cheeky glint in his eyes.

“I assure you my sweet baby boy will never be on the receiving end of one of those looks.” I tell him as I take a seat on the mat and lean over to kiss DJ’s tiny nose after Oscar carefully places him on his strong, muscular chest, cradling him with the utmost tenderness. “Right munchkin? You’re not going to do anything to upset mummy, are you?” DJ is already smiling, showing off his gums and cooing in response as if he understands me, his adorable little nose crinkling up in delight. “Honestly,” I sigh as I place my beach bag behind me so I can recline on it, “if he does, I still wouldn’t change him for the world. The more of Dean he has in him the happier I’ll be.”

Laying back on my beach bag, I turn to watch as Oscar plays with DJ's little legs, making silly karate noises as if he's battling aninvisible opponent. The image warms my heart, and I can't help but think how amazing of a father Oscar would make someday to his own children. Ever since DJ was born, Oscar has been so attentive and nurturing towards him. And it’s clear their bond is undeniable, and it fills me with such joy to see them interact.

A couple of hours go by, and DJ is peacefully asleep in his car seat in the shade after being fed and changed. Oscar went off for a swim complaining it’s too hot while I breastfed DJ, so while he’s gone, I’m lying on the mat catching some rays to give some colour to my pale ass.

As I lay on the beach, my body sinking into the warm sand and my mind drifting off to sleep to the soothing melody of waves crashing against the shore, a sudden interruption shatters my peaceful state. The obnoxious sound of a woman's shrill laughter echoes through my ears, sounding like a hyena in heat. Irritated, I prop myself up on my elbows to locate the source of the commotion.

Narrowing my eyes behind my sunglasses, I spot a petite brunette, her small frame clad in a colourful bikini, shamelessly flirting with Oscar. Her hand caresses his muscular arm which glistens in the sun as she touches it, his handsome face well-mannered and attentive as they talk. My molars press together as I watch him politely entertain her advances. Of course, there's nothing wrong with it—after all, Oscar is single and can talk to whoever he wants—in fact I should be pleased for him, and I am… mostly. With a resigned sigh I push my sunglasses back on and lay down. I can’t seem to ignore the exasperating voice in my head that’s incessantly trying to convince me that I am the tiniest bit bothered.

Which I absolutely am not. Why would I be? Just because he had his tongue down my throat last night doesn’t mean that we arenow a thing. There is nothingand never to be athingbetween us. Aside from being one of my closest friends and confidant he’s also my brother-in-law, and I’m his sister-in-law, and that will be the extent of our relationship.

But… if there was ever someone you would consider a future with, it would be him though, right?

Fuck my life.

I'm so tired of these conflicting thoughts. Pushing myself up again, I try to distract myself by observing the scene around me. The sun beats down on my skin, the sand glittering beneath the rays. The ocean stretches out before me, its waves cascading onto the shore.

Despite the serene tableau before me, a turmoil rages within me. I try to push away the memories of last night, but they continue to claw at my mind, refusing to be ignored. And as much as I want to avoid it, I know deep down that I can't keep pretending that nothing happened with Oscar. But I'm not ready to have that conversation with him either, so, I’m truly stuffed either way.

Despite the tranquil scene before me, deep down I know that nothing can quell this internal struggle. The weight of last night's events hangs heavy on my mind, and I'm not sure if I'm ready to face them with Oscar just yet.

“Jey?” His voice breaks through my thoughts and I look up to see him standing over me. Droplets of water trail down his muscular chest, drawing my attention before it quickly snaps back to his face.

“Huh?” I mumble, trying to act nonchalant.

“You're burning.” He points out, concern etched on his features.

Yeah, tell me something I don't know.

Wait. What?

I blink up at him from behind my sunglasses, feeling heat flood my cheeks as I realize he caught me gawking at him like an idiot. Clearing my throat, I sit up a bit straighter. “What?” I rasp.

Oscar gestures to his own chest. “Did you not put sunscreen on? Your chest and shoulders are sunburned.”

Oh, he means my literal skin is burning. Jesus Jeyla, mind in the gutter much?

“Oh,” I lift my sunglasses onto my head and glance down at my chest, noticing the redness and warmth radiating from it. “I used tanning oil. It's SPF 30.” Oscar shakes his head disapprovingly and joins me on the mat. Of course, he has a perfect golden tan while I probably resemble a cooked lobster.

“When will you learn?” He scolds gently. “With your fair skin, you should be using SPF 50 or higher. You need to build up to tanning oil. Here, let me put some on you or you'll be crying in pain later.” Oscar opens a bottle of SPF 50 sunscreen and squeezes some into his palm. “Turn around.”

I reach for the bottle to do it myself but he pulls it back out of my reach, “I can?—”

“Jeyla, turn around so I can apply this before you burn even more.” Oscar insists, fixing me with an austere look. Nervously chewing on my lip, I shift and turn my back to him so he can rub the lotion onto my shoulders, neck, and back. I do everything I can to distract myself from his touch by focusing on the sounds of the ocean.

But as his fingers lightly brush my hair off my left shoulder to apply the lotion, my heart races and I stifle the gasp that almost escapes me. Closing my eyes, I attempt to push away any thoughts about how good his hands feel against my skin as he massages the lotion into my shoulders and then slowly moves down my back.

As Oscar's strong hands slowly trail down to my lower back, the heat of the scorching weather is forgotten as a new heat begins to radiate from within me. His breath tickles my ear and I shiver at the sensation, goosebumps rising all over my skin when he leans in and asks, “Does it hurt?” My body betrays me, making it obvious that I’m enjoying his touch a little too much. Inwardly, I curse myself for being so responsive, but in my defence, ithasbeen a long time since I've been intimately touched or hell even touched myself. It feels like my body is waking up after a long slumber.

“No, just stings a little bit.” I manage to say through shallow breaths while fighting with all my might to hide the overwhelming carnality coursing through me. With the feel of his hands on me, my mind is lost someplace it has no business being. I don’t even notice that I’ve sunk back against his strong chest and his hands have moved from my shoulders down to my chest.

“Jeyla,” Oscar calls my name quietly, his voice dropping an octave and his lips brushing against my ear with every syllable.

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