Page 148 of Crazy for this Girl

“I am,” I voice calmly. “But I chose a different path. Not the one you laid out for me.”

“It looks like the same one to me.” I can feel it coming before she even starts. The high and mighty tone that attempts to rain on me with disappointment. “It’s interesting how so many years later...you found your way back to the boy who disappeared out of thin air. Yet, you can’t stay committed to one man who shows wanting to share a future with you.”

“I did want a future with her,” Cal objects, clutching his glass so hard that his knuckles are turning white. “And I found her. Shit happens, Mrs. Reese. You wouldn’t know all about that from the way you stayed home through the years as a stay-at-home mom since forever.”

“I had a family,” Mom argues. “One that needed me.”

“Anywhere but the kitchen, right?” Cal lifts his glass to his lips. “I remember you burning down yours a few times. Still remember the fire department knowing your cabin by heart.”

I smirk. The record was four times in one summer.

“Yeah,” I add in. “Dad took away kitchen privileges my senior year. The pizza man began knowing the house too.”

“Laynee Peabody Reese—” My mother’s chiding gets immediately cut off from Cal’s sudden choking on his bourbon.

“Your middle name is Peabody,” he solicits, eyes wide with pure shock. “You said it was Mae.”

Oops.

“Easiest middle name to pull out of my ass.” I shrug dismissively. “I’m not sorry for that lie.”

“I wrote your full name on all the pictures you sent me and they’re wrong.”

My face twists because he did not. “Would you tell someone your middle name was Peabody?” I don’t wait for him to answer. “Didn’t think so.”

“I would’ve told you.” he indicates through an easy chuckle, and it hums through my body hearing it. “Geezus, Christ. How do you sleep at night?”

I smile. I didn’t for the longest time, but with him back in my life again, I don’t have that problem much anymore. “Just fine. Melatonin is one hell of a drug.”

He leans back, his spine hitting the chair when he shakes his head at me. “I can’t believe I never knew your full name.”

“Always meant to change it”—I throw an accusingly thumb at Mom—“but this one would’ve had a heart attack.”

“It’s my maiden name,” Mom shoots back as if it justifies the awful name she gave me at birth. “There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“Yeah, if you’re a girl and you don’t want your name to be Peabody.” Cal’s lips curl, and I find myself smiling back at us teaming up on my mom.

She deserves it, what can I say?

“I didn’t come here to argue with you, Laynee,” Mom clips, getting all riled up in her chair. “I came here to see what you’re doing and to tell you that I need you to come home this weekend to go to the cabin for Jonah. Your father also misses you.”

Little does Mom know, I text Dad every day too. He knows how strained my relationship is with Mom and her mouth, so he keeps it quiet.

For his sake and mine.

“I’ll have to talk to my boss,” I offer, keeping my eyes locked with Cal’s. I couldn’t pry them away even if I tried and, right now, I feel comfortable in his hold. “We might have some projects to work on.”

Mom scoffs, which is normally followed by an eye roll. “Cal, would you please tell my daughter that you wouldn’t do such a thing at a very important time for our family? Especially since you’re childhood friends?”

“It’s hard to part with her,” Cal replies smoothly. “I’m not sure if I’ll be able to handle everything on my own.”

Mom straightens her spine. “I’m sure you can manage, a successful man like yourself. I’ll only keep her the weekend.”

“Depends if she wants to go.” He waits for any sign from me that I don’t want to spend my free time with the woman at my side.

However, I’d love to see Jonah and Dad.

“I’d like to see my brother,” I tell him honestly. “And it’s been a minute since I’ve seen Dad.”

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