Page 60 of Crazy for this Girl

We stop at a shiny blue BMW and my face twists. “Is this yours?”

He unlocks the car with a beep, alluding that it is, and opens the passenger door for me. “Yeah. Dad said you can tell a man by his ride. He’s delusional sometimes, but I didn’t turn it down. It has a killer stereo system”

“I wouldn’t either.” I climb inside and sit on the smooth leather seats before Cal leans over the opening, his arm perched over the door.

“Lock the doors, and listen to some music. I’ll be out in five. I gotta go grab all my stuff.”

“Okay.”

He stares at me for a second before leaning forward and pressing a chaste kiss to my cheek. My skin burns at the contact, even though his lips are cool.

I try not to gape at him, keeping my expression placid like it’s no big deal that my best friend casually kissed me, but the space just shifted.

“I’m so beyond happy you’re here,” he says evenly like he’s in a daze. “Seriously. I can’t believe it.”

“Me either,” I mutter, feeling the blush on my cheeks flame hotter. “But I wanted to surprise you.”

“I’m glad you did. Best birthday ever.”

The party is held at a mansion.

White stone, with solar lights exposing the perfect landscaping of pink and purple flowers and bushes that look like animals of some sort. Kids are hanging out outside with red solo cups in their hands, all dressed in bathing suits as we step up on the porch.

I feel overdressed in my shorts and white tank top, with my long blond hair pulled back in French braids, and I’m regretting my decision of telling Cal he should come. Bring Em Out by T.I. begins to play, causing girls to sway their hips to flirt with the guys watching while others talk amongst themselves as their eyes glue to me like prey at Cal’s side.

He received a few more high-fives as we strode in. The music is deafening as I’m bumped into by some shirtless guy with bulging muscles. He doesn’t even bother apologizing or acknowledging me, before the crowd breaks out in cheers of Cal’s arrival and he’s swooped deeper into the room like a wave just came in and dragged him into the ocean. People immediately begin to sing happy birthday as I step to the side while the group from outside strolls in to join the festivities.

I’m quickly left behind as everyone waltzes farther into the giant house, and that’s when I get a chance to breathe.

I don’t mind his friends carrying him off to celebrate his day. I was here by surprise, after all, and it’s interesting to see how he interacts in his own habitat.

That’s if I could see him.

The happy birthday song commences, and people urge him to make wishes and blow out his candles. When the throng grows louder, the music comes back on, Milkshake by Kelis, and everyone goes back to dancing and drinking.

I notice a few people moving to get outside, and I follow, coming up to a giant pool that people have already made use of. Beach balls fly every which way, and girls are seated on guys’ shoulders, playing chicken fight.

It’s not until something brushes on my other side that I notice the tall, blonde dude from earlier that looked me up and down at the end of Cal’s game like I was a piece of meat.

“Hey,” he greets with a sly smile that makes me immediately uncomfortable. Something about his vibe is totally off. Like he preys on shy girls and likes to have control. I’m someone new, and I get a feeling he’d like to take advantage of that. I know his type; football jock, who thinks he’s cooler than anyone here because he can catch a ball. I don’t need to know him to not want to talk to him. “I was hoping I was gonna see you here.”

“Hey,” I reply back, automatically looking for a way out of this conversation. I want to ask him why he was even thinking about me being here, but that would open the door for him to talk more.

“You from another school because I haven’t seen you around.”

I bob my head. “Yep.”

“Which one?”

“Blueberry Hill High.” I meet his heavy stare, not particularly caring if he buys bullcrap or not. I’m never going to see him again.

His brows furrow, probably wondering if that’s a real school name or not. “Huh, where’s that?”

“East of here.”

“Alright, alright.” He jerks his head to the pool, already moving to the catch of why he’s standing in front of me right now. “You wanna go swimming.”

This dude may know how to play ball, but his game on picking up chick is severely lacking.

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