Page 49 of Crazy for this Girl

“That sounds like fun,” Hallie beams, clapping her hands together once. “Are there like any leeches or anything in there?” Cal blankly stares at her while I ignore it.

She’s his problem, not mine.

And I’d rather be reading right now than listening to silly comments and questions. This is all honestly surprising to me that Cal would date someone like her. I know it sounds awful, but I expected someone who was at least down to Earth and maybe a little outdoorsy.

Not let’s go to the mall.

“I’m good,” I drone, propping my fishing pole on one of my shoulders. “My dad wanted to go into town today. I need a few things.”

Lies. All lies.

“Bummer,” Hallie says before latching onto Cal’s arm. “Probably for the best for me.”

“And why’s that?” I can’t help the question from blurting from my mouth and the clingy hold she has on my best friend. If she has a problem with me, she can say it.

Hallie gives me a pretentious smile. “Well, I’ll be honest. I’d like my boyfriend to only be looking at me in my bikini.” I open my mouth, but she promptly beats me to it. “Well, that’s rude of me to assume. Do you even wear a two-piece, Kailee?”

“It’s Laynee,” Cal snaps, tugging his arm from her tight grasp. “She’s only corrected you a million times since you’ve said it wrong.”

Hallie’s face twists at his sharp attitude toward her, and I steer it away because I don’t want them to fight over something stupid.

Maybe I’m not that selfish after all.

“It’s fine.” I wave a hand in the air like this is all nothing to me. “And, yes, Hallie, I do wear a bikini. It’s royal blue, a little too tight at the top, but it still fits.” I see Cal’s eyes widen a tad in surprise. “Have fun swimming. The water should feel great today.”

I give them both a wave and pivot, feeling Cal’s eyes on me the whole way down the hill to my family’s cabin.

I’m faking sick tomorrow and reading a book.

I’m not being the third wheel to my own summer anymore.

This is my last summer with Cal...and this is what it is.

“So, Laynee,” Hallie emits, enunciating my name and making sure everyone sitting here knows she can say it. How Cal’s snapping at her did wonders. “Do you have a boyfriend?”

“No,” I deadpan, and I’ve come to the obvious conclusion that I could never date someone when Cal’s this close. When my thoughts are preoccupied with comparing the opposite sex to my—supposed to only be—best friend.

That’s not the case here with Cal.

It never really has been, and it’s time I get over this silly crush of mine and see this relationship through the black and white lens that is our dynamic.

It’s time my little brain comprehends that and stops allowing fairy tales to poison my mind.

“Hey, Hal, will you go get us some sodas?” Cal asks from behind me. They’re sitting on his mom’s swing that overlooks the lake and she’s had her claw in him since.

I got away with two days of pure peace, faking sick and staying within the confines of my family’s cabin. It was the most serenity I’ve gotten from my emotions and brain, except for Mom’s pestering me on if she needs to take me to the hospital or if she needs to run into town for cold medicine.

I appreciated the extra effort.

I just wanted to be left alone.

Three’s obviously a crowd, so I’ve kept my butt planted on the edge of the dock, ignoring the here and now that is Cal’s relationship and how I don’t want to see it anymore.

I should’ve made more friends before instead of relying on Cal who lives in another state, and the decisions that are driving me crazy.

“What? Why do I need to grab them?” She sounds so incredulous that he’d ever ask her to do something for him. It only irks my nerves further. Add princess to the many annoying traits of Cal’s girlfriend. “Have her get them.”

I grind my teeth because I’m not grabbing crap, but a one-way ticket back to my bedroom in about two minutes.

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