Page 61 of Crazy for this Girl

“No suit.”

“No problem.” He shrugs his wide shoulders and jerks his head to get some of his stray blonde hair out of the way. “Nobody’s gonna care.”

I hate this guy already.

“Not really looking to walk around in soppy wet clothes all night.” I gesture for the pool. “But feel free to knock yourself out.”

“I’m Josh.” He holds out a large hand for me to shake, but I hold mine up in the air.

“Germophobe.” I can hear my mother’s chiding in my head. No matter who Josh really is or how his mannerism plays out, I’m obligated in her eyes to act like the southern belle she tried to raise me to be.

Hate to say it, but she failed because she prodded and attempted to shove it down my throat too much. I’m more like my father than anything.

“You got a name?” Josh presses, dropping his arm and latching his annoyance to my face. I could care less, but I’ll bite.

“Laynee.”

His blue eyes bulge at that. “You’re Laynee?”

“Yeah…” I raise my brows. “And you said it like that because…”

A mirthless chuckle rumbles off his chest, and I’m the butt of the joke apparently. He pushes his bottom lip out with his tongue. “I’ve just heard a lot about you.”

I don’t know what to say to that, so I don’t say anything at all.

“You’re the summer chick Cal always hangs out with.”

“That’d be me.”

He hits me with a look that questions my brain cells. Like I’m stupid or something. “You know he dates, right?”

Unfortunately.

“I would hope so. But I’m still waiting on the part where that’s supposed to be funny.”

“I guess it wouldn’t be.” He heaves his wide shoulders, dismissing whatever he thought I was going to do or say. “So…are you like…his friend with benefits?”

Wow.

“I’m really trying to figure out the whole reason you’re talking to me now, Josh. Are you trying to insult me or just being a plain dick?”

He shifts his weight, but doesn’t appear totally put off. “You’re from out of town. I was thinkin’ maybe we could have some fun while you’re here.”

“And I’d want to do that with someone I haven’t had an intelligent conversation with, because…”

“Listen, babe, all you need me to know how to do shove my hard—”

“Finish that fucking sentence, Roberts, and I’ll fuck your entire life.” That voice…I know it, but it’s foreign out of Cal’s mouth.

The pure malice drenched in his threat, causes a slight chill to run up my arms.

Josh pivots and faces my best friend head-on with a renewed sense of confidence that I just tried to beat down, leaving me a full view of Cal’s menacing glare. “Aw, my bad, dude. I forgot the little obsession you had with her.”

Cal perks a brow, unimpressed with his trying to humiliate him. “My bad, bro, that a girl can be around me and not think of that STD she got last summer.”

“Watch your big ass mouth,” Josh snaps, clutching his hands into fists. “You’re needed for the next game. Wouldn’t want you to have an accident.”

Cal smirks and holds out an arm, extending his palm to me. “Real scary.” I immediately move and slide my hand into his, as Cal gently pulls me forward. “Look at her again, speak to her, and find out what happens. You’re a bottom feeder, remember that.”

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