Page 36 of Crazy for this Girl

“Oh, yeah. I see no one else now.”

“That’s always been the plan, Laynee. Keep you enthralled and so you can never leave me.”

I shake my head with a grin because I bet no one else can deal with him in California like I can. “I feel so special now.”

“You should. I’ve never shook my ass for anyone before.”

“Oh, wow.” I clasp on to the other oar while Cal does the same. “I’ll have to make sure that’s how I start my diary entry tonight.”

Cal’s face lights up as though he just found a well-kept secret of mine. “You have a diary.”

I blow raspberries with my lips. “What are you crazy? So my mom can find it?”

“What would you write about?”

“All the ways I’m going to blackmail you when you become a big football star.”

Cal smiles. “Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m not playing football in college.”

“So, you’ve said. Until you see all those zeros when they offer you an NFL contract.”

“I don’t need a paycheck,” he says as we fall into a rhythm to get further out into the lake. “I got the money already.”

“Oh, rich boy.” I swing my head back and forth. “So spoiled.”

“I’m going to spoil you, too, you know?”

My eyes squint. “Why would you do that?”

“Because I was serious about the traveling bit.”

“Well, I’m going to college.”

“Why?”

“So I can get a job.”

“Then what?”

“I don’t have a twelve-year plan, Harper, but when I get the logistics down, I’ll let you know.”

“All I know is that they better include me.”

“I dunno, those farm boys…”

“Laynee…” I hit him with an exaggerated smile. “Bet how I’ll flip this boat over again.”

“Oh, I don’t doubt you at all, crazy boy.”

“Good.” We fall into a comfortable silence, listening to the water sway with each movement of our oars pushing the boat. “Laynee?”

“What?”

“You know I adore you, right?” This time, even though I’d love his voice to sound a different way when he says it, I’m glad it’s not. We’re best friends, I need things to never change. It still doesn’t stop my heart from racing a tad though.

“Sure.”

“And I’m serious about traveling.”

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