Page 86 of Crazy for this Girl

LAYNEE: I could never forgive myself for kicking a dog. And what is it?

CAL: Be easy on yourself, Tone Deaf. You’re doing a good job.

LAYNEE: I don’t know. Things are off. I’m lost in school and I’m not sure what to do. Jonah is going to be a freshman this year in high school.

CAL: You’ll figure it out. Stop putting so much pressure on it. You don’t have to make the Forbes list until you’re thirty.

CAL: And are you fucking kidding me? You showin’ all the girls his Yu-Gi-Oh cards?

LAYNEE: LOL NO! He would be mortified and I’m not that kind of sister. I would never purposely embarrass him unless he turned into an asshole.

CAL: Probably why he hasn’t turned into one. He knows what awaits him on the other side, and it wouldn’t be fun.

LAYNEE: He started playing football.

CAL: Aw, man. That boy makes me proud.

LAYNEE: He’s wearing jersey number 23.

CAL: He is?

CAL: That kid is going to be baller as fuck.

LAYNEE: Yeah, because his sister wore the number.

CAL: Because?

LAYNEE: Because what?

CAL: Why did you wear the number?

LAYNEE: It was the only one available.

CAL: Laynee…

LAYNEE: Yes, Cal?

CAL: We both know how much it meant to me that you wore MY number when you played volleyball for a hot second.

LAYNEE: I don’t remember you. Who are you again?

CAL: The guy that’s going to Charlie Brown kick your ass the next time I see you.

LAYNEE: All talk. Because who knows when that’s ever going to happen.

“Sorry,” Troy sighs, striding back into the foyer and pulling me out of the blackhole of Cal that I always seem to fall down. “My lunch finally caught up to me.”

Ew.

I pocket my cell and raise my chin to face the music. To break off the first real relationship I’ve ever had because I’m obviously not emotionally available.

“It’s not a problem—”

“Where’s the dog?” Troy’s brown eyes search the space and mine follow. The little corgi is no longer in sight.

“Probably exploring his new home,” I reply. “Listen, Troy…we need to talk.”

“Sure. What do you want to talk about?” I open my mouth, but he proceeds to talk. “Did you name him yet?”

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