Read Online Obsessed by Jo Gibson - Free Book Online Page A

“I’m bench press ing three times more than that little box weighs.”
    Linda looked a little worried. “Carla’s right. You should be more careful. You could hurt yourself.”
    “But would you care?” Andy grinned at her.
    “Of course I’d care! You’re the best kicker on our football team. Who’s going to punt if you hurt your back?”
    “At last! I’ve done it!” Andy let out a whoop. “Linda wants me for my body!”
    All three girls started to laugh, and Andy joined in. Then Mary Beth walked by and they quickly sobered. Linda waited until she was gone and then she turned to Judy. “Is Michael taking Mary Beth home again tonight?”
    “Probably. He’s been spending every night with her.”
    Andy scowled and then he gave a deep sigh. “I called Mary Beth and offered to help out. I said I’d come over to protect her if Michael couldn’t make it.”
    “That was very nice of you,” Carla said.
    “Mary Beth didn’t think so. She said if Michael couldn’t make it, she’d rather stay alone.”
    The girls exchanged glances. Mary Beth shouldn’t have been so mean.
    “What’s the big deal with Michael, anyway?” Andy looked puzzled. “You girls are all crazy about him.”
    Linda did her best to explain. “Well . . . he’s already in college. And everybody thinks he’s going to be a big star someday. Going out with Michael is sort of a status symbol.”
    “And going out with me isn’t,” Andy finished. “Okay, Linda. I get it. But I don’t like it.”
    The three girls stared after Andy as he walked away. Then Carla shrugged. “Poor Andy. I’d probably go out with him if he asked me. But he won’t. Andy’s only interested in the girls he can’t have.”
    “Do you think that’s why we’re interested in Michael?” Linda raised her eyebrows. “Because we know that we can’t have him?”
    Carla snorted. “The only reason everybody’s interested in Michael is because of that stupid contest. Mary Beth is pulling out all the stops to win, and I bet she’s not one bit afraid to stay alone.”
    “Are you sure?” Linda didn’t look convinced.
    “I’m sure. What’s the killer going to do? Break into a locked house just to get her? Mary Beth’s taking advantage of the situation so she can spend every night with Michael.”
    Judy was deep in thought as they took their places at the round table. Carla was right. Mary Beth had bragged about her parents’ new state-of-the-art security system. She’d told them that if anyone tried to break into the house, bells would ring, sirens would blare, and armed guards would respond in a matter of seconds. All Michael had to do was take Mary Beth home and wait until she’d turned on the security system. Then he could leave. Mary Beth would be perfectly safe inside the house. There was no real reason for him to stay until her mother got home.
    “Judy? Can I see you for a minute?”
    Judy turned around to see Michael beckoning to her. She got up quickly and joined him at the deserted bar. “What is it, Michael?”
    “I need a favor. It’s kind of embarrassing, Jude. I hope you don’t think I’m a louse, but I need some help getting Mary Beth off my back.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “We’re dark tomorrow night, and I have to go to U.C.L.A. to accompany someone at a student performance. Mary Beth just told me that her mother has to work, and I really don’t want to take her with me.”
    “Why not?” Judy was curious.
    “Look, Jude. I know I can trust you not to say anything, right?”
    Judy nodded. “I promise.”
    “Okay.” Michael looked very uncomfortable. “Mary Beth is getting a little too serious about me. Part of the problem is that we’re together every night, and last night . . . things got a little heavy, if you know what I mean. I’d really like to cool it off before Mary Beth gets the wrong idea.”
    Judy nodded. “I understand, but what can I do?”
    “Will you invite Mary Beth to your house to watch a movie or