haven't been to bed yet. I think that's why I wanted to talk
to you."
"Here's the thing, Rebecca. By this point, you know him
better than I do. There's not much I can add."
"But bar fights?"
"Look, he's got a bit of an ego on him. You must know
that by now."
"Yeah, I got that much. He attacked me with it at the
Westerley. Another reason why I think I'm making a
mistake."
"Did he explain what happened in the bar?"
"Actually, I never asked. All he said was that some
woman's boyfriend clocked him on the jaw."
"My guess is that his ego got him in trouble. He was
probably being too cocky and got into a brawl. I wouldn't
put that much past him."
She's not telling me something. Why would she say "oh
my God" just because he's got a big ego? Obnoxious self-centered
boys were laughable, but no cause for fear. What
was it about O.E. that made Kay afraid to talk?
"You know, Kay, I want to like him, but he's so outside
of my normal comfort zone that it scares me. You seem a bit
concerned, too. Should I be afraid?"
Kay spoke calmly. "No, Rebecca. I can definitely tell you
not to be afraid. It's just that he and Dan went to school
together, and so did the two of us. I guess I thought it was
weird, that's all. Hey, maybe we should all get together
sometime.
"As for safety, don't worry. You're tough, and O.E. is not
dangerous. Well, at least not dangerous to others, but he
does sound like a danger to himself." In the background Kay
spoke to Dan. "Hey, get this. O.E. is going out with
Rebecca." Dan's laugh rumbled across the line.
"Huh? What was that about? What's so funny about me
and O.E.?"
Kay replied quickly. "No. Nothing. Sorry." She slowed
down. "There's nothing wrong with O.E. Right, Dan?"
They could hear Dan's reply. "A perfect gentleman.
Loves to go surfing. Ask her if she's gone surfing with him
yet."
Yeah, that sounds like O.E. Rebecca answered Dan's
question. "Not yet, but he's offered. Am I crazy to fly to
Malibu and surf with him?"
"I can't tell you what to do, Rebecca. All I can say is to
follow your heart. You'll be perfectly safe with him, I can
promise that. He's actually a solid guy." Her voice became
far away. "Right, Dan?"
Dan assured them. "O.E. is harmless. In fact, he'll take
very good care of her. Tell Rebecca that he's honorable and