Page 200 of Crazy for this Girl

“I didn’t pay it off.”

“I got an email like two hours ago from the university,” he states. “It’s all taken care of.”

There’s no way…

“I mean, as much as I’d love that to be true, I didn’t throw that money down. I can call them on Monday—” Jonah waves a dismissive hand in the air.

“I’ll handle it, Laynee. You’ve done enough for me already. The admissions board is kind of a joke over there.”

I smile weakly, not convinced that’s the problem. “Well, I’m proud of my little bro. I wanted you to have the best.”

“I want you to have the best too. I’m not sure how I’m going to be able to pay you back or—”

“Name a pet fish after me or something.”

“Nah,” Jonah laughs. “I can think of something better than that, I’m sure.”

I shrug. “You can grab me a hot dog.”

My brother finger-guns me before pivoting. “You got it.”

While he’s grabbing my lunch, I turn to my left and gaze out over the water to the two neighboring cabins that were and still are Cal’s and mine. I think about if I wasn’t so scared to lose his friendship maybe things would be different. However, if his dad was so adamant about him running Grand Regent, I wouldn’t have been able to do anything unless I could mindread.

I was crazy for this girl with this big ass mouth that always had something to say. I have been since we were fourteen.

I won’t deny that my heart blew up at his words. That he’s been so forthcoming with me and his feelings, and not once have I said anything back.

Needless to say, I’m terrified of being hurt again, but in the end, Cal’s worth it. Any moment with him, whether we’re getting along or fighting, has always been meaningful.

This brings me back to my regret of not inviting him here. I need to start making more of an effort to show him that I’m in this. That I want it because if we can still love each other through all this, it has to be something special. I’m lucky to be in this position despite everything leading up to it.

The hot sun that was beating on my back eases up a little bit, making me more comfortable with less of the possibility of sunburn.

Lifting my beer to take another sip, I feel it. The forceful weight of someone behind me, causing me to promptly turn around and stumble upon Cal.

A very dripping wet, shirtless, dark hair slicked back, towering body of muscle Cal.

My jaw slacks on its own volition, soaking in the alluring lack of clothing, and that he’s here. His hard chest and broad shoulders are easy enough to soak in, causing my body to buzz at how unbelievably attractive he is.

How he, looking like that wants me.

The world is coming to an end or something.

Cal extracts my beer, pulling back on the bottle as his green eyes remain solidly locked on mine. I intently watch as his lips wrap around the rim and each water droplet fall to his perfect skin but I don’t notice his free hand that comes up to shove me back into the water behind me.

My whole body submerges underneath the cool lake, shocked but not surprised because this isn’t the first time.

Probably won’t be the last, either.

Breeching the surface, I look up to find Cal already on his haunches at the edge of the dock, peering down at me with a solemn expression.

“Oh, hey, Laynee. Funny seeing you here.”

My nose and brows twist. “You remembered.”

“Thanks to Marie, I remembered today.”

“And you flew down.”

---